Warwickshire Cover Online.Qxp Warwickshire Cover 08/02/2016 15:57 Page 1

Warwickshire Cover Online.qxp_Warwickshire Cover 08/02/2016 15:57 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Warwickshire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 362 FEBRUARY 2016 MISS NIGHTINGALE IN COVENTRY

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

BR0KEN MOTIONHOUSE Leamington-based dance troupe out on tour grand_whatson FP FEB:Layout 1 19/01/2016 16:49 Page 1

Great Theatre at the Grand!

THU 25 - SAT 27 FEB TUE 8 - SAT 12 MARCH TUE 15 - SAT 19 MARCH

Music by STEVEN MARGOSHES Lyrics by JAQUES LEVY Book by JOSE FERNADEZ Based on a concept by David DeSilva (Title song “Fame” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore) This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. ON BEHALF OF MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL OF NEW YORK

SUN 20 - TUE 22 MARCH SAT 26 MARCH THU 31 MARCH THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA THE SNOW MAIDEN Sleeping Beauty Swan Lake

HHHHH “Mesmerising” The Guardian

FRI 1 APRIL SAT 2 APRIL MON 4 - SAT 9 APRIL

“What a great night... Just like it used to be”

A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT JONNY COLE DANDY THE FIZZOGS and DON’T MISS ANNIE THE RONALDOS! YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR THAT YOU’LL LOVE IT!

Box Office 01902 42 92 12 Book online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk Contents February Warwickshire (REVAMP).qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 18:15 Page 1

February 2016

Contents

Motionhouse - Leamington dance troupe on tour with Broken page 31

Fenster Belinda Lang Tony Law the list

experimental psycho-pop at the talks about her dual role in comedian brings Your 16-page Tin Music and Arts Single Spies at The REP Frillemorphesis to Leamington week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 20 page 22 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 22. Comedy 24. Theatre 32. Film 38. Visual Arts 40. Events

@whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 MAGAZINE GROUP Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Helen Stallard, Kathryn Ewing Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD Worcs/Warwick Only.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 15:37 Page 1

First Word

Packed programme of events awaits visitors to refurbished motor museum The British Motor Museum, formerly known as the Heritage Motor Centre, reopens this month (Saturday 13 February) following a £1.1million refurbishment. The new museum will feature an immersive display of British motoring history and a new Collections Centre. The centre will allow the public access to an extra 250 cars from the reserve collections of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust and the Jaguar Heritage Trust. The museum reopens in time for school half term and will be hosting a number of workshops during the holiday week. Commenting on the reopening, the museum’s Managing Director, Julie Tew, said: “We’re delighted to reopen the museum to visitors for half term. We have a packed programme of family events and tours, and visitors will be impressed with the changes we’ve made to the museum.”

Full virtual reality ride to open at Living history RSC announces casting Staffordshire theme park in Worcester for Lear and Cymbeline More than 150 reenactors are set to bring 2,000 years of history to life at Worcester's Commandery. Living history encamp- ments, military drill displays, period dance displays and vintage vehicles all feature as part of the popular venue’s Living History In Worcester weekend (13 & 14 February). The event is being presented under the umbrella of the week- long Love Worcester The first rollercoaster in the world to be entirely dedicated Heritage Festival. to virtual reality is set to open at Alton Towers in April. For further information, Galactica has been customised for the full virtual reality visit museumsworcester- experience. shire.org.uk or see The Each rider wears a specialist VR headset. Through this, an Commandery's Facebook Sir Antony Sher will take the title role of King on board artificial intelligence guides them from the launch page. pad up into space, flying and looping beyond the stars, Lear for the Royal Shakespeare Company banking through wormholes and speeding across undis- later this year. covered galaxies. Commenting on the new attraction, Sher, whose most recent work for the RSC Alton Towers’ Marketing Director, Gill Riley, said: saw him star as Willy Loman in Death Of A “Galactica uses ground-breaking technology to give riders Salesman, will be joined in Gregory Doran’s a breathtaking and completely unique rollercoaster experi- production by RSC Associate Artist David ence. “There’s nowhere else in the world that people can Troughton. experience the feeling of a flying rollercoaster combined King Lear opens at the Royal Shakespeare with soaring through the universe. For two minutes, our Theatre on 20 August. guests will be transported into space. We believe Galactica The Company has also announced that showcases the future for theme parks around the world - Gillian Bevan, best known for her role in hit it’s a complete game changer.” Channel Four comedy series Teachers, will head the cast of Cymbeline. The production opens at the RST on 29 April.

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Entertainment news from around the region

New Ryder Explore your genealogy Legends mini golf at 10th anniversary show course at Belfry The world’s largest family history show is returning to Birmingham in April to cele- A unique Ryder Cup-themed mini golf course has been opened at brate its 10th anniversary. the Belfry Hotel & Resort. Who Do You Think You Are? Live brings The twelve-hole ‘Ryder Legends’ together some of the most renowned layout sees the famous Sutton experts in family history, all of whom will Coldfield venue continuing to build be on hand to help visitors with ongoing on its unrivalled Ryder Cup history research or offer advice about how to start and heritage. The new attraction features recreations of iconic holes an investigation into a family tree. from courses which have hosted The show also features Antiques the world-famous biennial tourna- Roadshow favourite Eric Knowles, who’ll ment. be helping to identify and date family “The Ryder Legends Mini Golf treasures. Course is a great addition,” says Other attractions include a packed pro- The Belfry’s Resort Director, David Edwards. “As the world’s only four- gramme of workshops, treasure hunts for time host, we wanted to honour children, a replica Spitfire plane from our Ryder Cup heritage, but do so World War Two and a specialist military in a way that would be enjoyable area to commemorate ancestors involved and inclusive for everyone. in conflict. “Whether you’re a golfing purist Who Do You Think You Are? Live runs at wanting to experience replicas of some of the world’s most iconic the NEC Birmingham from 7 to 9 April. Ryder Cup holes, or a beginner just looking for a bit of fun, the new course offers something for everyone. It provides another activity that we can offer to guests when Reds football The Secret Of Happiness at mac they visit the resort - and, as always, we wanted to ensure that it legend heads A local musician, writer, comedian, storyteller and actor is this month was completed to the highest of up Coventry making his debut as a solo performer. standards.” celebrations Rich Stokes’ new show, The Secret Of Happiness, brings together stand-up A round on the Ryder Legends comedy, poetry and songs, in the process contemplating such wide-rang- Mini Golf Course costs £7 per adult Coventry’s oldest and ing topics as love, stalking and earwax. and £5 per child. The course is largest grass-roots foot- “I used to sing in the indie rock band Aquila,” explains Rich, “but when open from 10am to 6pm daily, and ball club is next month the drummer left and I started playing acoustic gigs on my own, I found no booking is required. It can also celebrating its 70th be hired exclusively for £250. the crowd would often talk during my set. So I started talking back to them anniversary - with a lit- and writing sillier songs to keep their attention. Slowly I drifted from ‘seri- tle help from one-time ous artiste’ to ‘musical comedian’. New exhibition by Liverpool and England Rich presents The Secret Of Happiness at Birmingham’s mac on 27 star Robbie Fowler. February. Worcestershire- Christ The King Club in based artist Coundon was formed An exhibition featuring paintings by after the war by a small ATG founders top Stage 100 list - again! Malvern-based artist Bridget group of local parish- Macdonald opens at Worcester ioners and now boasts The co-founders of Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), which owns City Art Gallery & Museum this over 30 teams. Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre and Stoke’s Regent Theatre, month. Fowler, who scored 183 have topped The Stage 100 list for a record-breaking seventh consecu- This Green Earth: Bridget goals during his time at tive year. Macdonald And The Landscape Tradition Of Claude Lorrain, Liverpool, will share The announcement makes husband-and-wife team Sir Howard Panter Samuel Palmer And Peter Paul exclusive stories from and Rosemary Squire OBE the most successful entrants ever on the Rubens shows at the venue from his career when he exclusive annual list, which features the 100 most influential people 13 February until 25 June. appears at Christ The working in theatre and the performing arts. King’s anniversary bash Commenting on their success, Sir Howard and Rosemary said: “Last on 5 March. year was an extremely important one in ATG’s history. Alongside con- Details of all the club’s tinuing to produce diverse, high-quality work, we also continued our 70th anniversary events global expansion. We are enormously excited about what this means can be found at: christ- for ATG over the next twelve months. It’s a great honour to yet again thekingfc.co.uk top The Stage 100, and we’re delighted to be part of such a vibrant and exciting industry.”

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First Word

Holy moley! Alexandra Burke to star NEW SHOWS as Deloris in Sister Act AND GIGS Alexandra Burke is to star in a national tour of Leicester Curve ANNOUNCED! theatre’s all-new production of hit musical Sister Act. The one-time X Factor winner will play Deloris Van Cartier in a THE JOY FORMIDABLE Wed 24 February - The Rainbow show directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. Venues, Birmingham Commenting on the news, Alexandra said: “I’m over the moon YOUTH CLUB Tues 1 March - to be given the opportunity to play the wonderful Deloris in The Sunflower Lounge, Sister Act. It’s such an iconic role and a part I’ve always wanted Birmingham to play. I love touring the UK and I’m thrilled to be working with CROOKS - Wed 2 March - The Asylum, Birmingham Craig and his amazing creative team. I can’t wait to get started!” LAPSLEY Wed 9 March - O2 Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig added: “I’m Institute, Birmingham truly thrilled that Alexandra is going to be our NATTY Wed 16 March - O2 leading lady in this all-new production of Academy, Birmingham Sister Act at Curve. Alexandra is such a fantastic GWYNETH HERBERT Fri 18 singer and actress, and I know she’s going to be March - The Glee Club, amazing. I couldn’t think of anyone better to play the Birmingham role of the smart and funny Deloris.” KANO Thurs 24 March - O2 Institute, Birmingham Sister Act opens at Curve on Saturday 30 July. The show vis- ALESSIA CARA Fri 25 March - its Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre from 12 to 17 September. O2 Institute, Birmingham SOX Sat 26 March - O2 Institute, Birmingham BRAIN STORM Thurs 7 April - Taiko stars sent Local theatre groups selected for RSC’s O2 Academy, Birmingham PATENT PENDING Thurs 14 to Coventry A Play For The Nation project April - O2 Academy, Birmingham A world-renowned taiko The Nonentities from Kidderminster and The Bear Pit from Stratford- NERINA PALLOT Fri 15 April - performing arts ensemble is upon-Avon are among the 14 amateur theatre groups taking part in O2 Institute, Birmingham bringing its 35th anniver- the Royal Shakespeare Company’s ambitious new project, A Play For WOLFMOTHER Sat 16 April - sary show to Coventry. The Nation. O2 Acadmey, Birmingham Located on Sado Island in The project sees the RSC working with 13 partner theatres, 84 amateur THE LOVELY EGGS Sun 24 Niigata, Japan, Kodo has April - Hare and Hounds, performers and 580 schoolchildren - alongside 18 professional actors Birmigham given over 5,600 perform- and the creative team - to present a major tour of A Midsummer KIP MOORE Mon 25 April - O2 ances in 47 countries since Night's Dream. Institute, Birmingham making its debut at the The show will visit every region and nation of the UK. In each area, TINASHE Wed 4 May - O2 Berlin Festival in 1981. The local amateur theatre companies will play the Mechanicals, with Institute, Birmingham ensemble’s new production, Titania’s fairy train played by local schoolchildren. RAT BOY Thurs 5 May - O2 Kodo One Earth Tour: Local amateur actress Sue Downing, a funeral director from Institute, Birmingham Mystery, features contempo- Kidderminster, will play Quince in the production when it shows in FRANCES Sun 15 May - The Glee Club, Birmingham rary music and dance based Stratford. on traditional Japanese arts. GRAHAM NASH Sun 22 May - A Midsummer Night's Dream: A Play For The Nation shows at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham The show visits Warwick Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, on various dates ZZ TOP Thurs 23 June - O2 Arts Centre on 13 February. between 17 February and 16 July. Academy - Birmingham KASIER CHIEFS Sun 3 July - Delamere Forest - Cheshire and Sun 10 July - Cannock Chase Birmingham Royal Ballet invites children Forest, Staffordshire JAMIE LAWSON Sat 15 to take their First Steps... October - O2 Academy, Birmingham Royal Ballet is this half term presenting a special per- Birmingham formance for children between the ages of three and seven. BRING ME THE HORIZON Fri 4 November - Barclaycard First Steps: A Child’s The Dream is an Arena, Birmingham hour-long presentation designed to introduce youngsters to the world of ballet and live performance. Featuring a full cast of dancers and an orchestra, the show is based on a one- act ballet by Sir Frederick Ashton inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tickets for the 19 February event (1pm) cost £10. To find out more, visit brb.org.uk Jamie Lawson

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Rufus Hound DPS.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:15 Page 1

FEATURE

RUFUS HOUND Popular actor/comedian talks about the RSC’s reimagining of Don Quixote

Four hundred years after the death of Don Quixote's maverick author and ‘Prince of Wits’ Miguel de Cervantes, writer James Fenton (The Orphan Of Zhao) has reimag- ined the ground-breaking story for the stage in a new RSC production. Directed by Angus Jackson (Oppenheimer), this adaptation plays with form and genre in the spirit of the original. It stars David Threlfall (Shameless, Hot Fuzz, Black Sea) as the hapless hero who loses his grip on reality and actor/comedian Rufus Hound as his squire sidekick, Sancho Panza. Heather Kincaid recently caught up with Rufus to find out more... “Don Quixote is often described as the first post-modern novel,” explains Hound. “It's essentially a story about stories, which means that if you're going to do it as a play, it has to be a play about plays. Cervantes wrote it as a parody of the romantic histories that were very popular at the time, but because they've fallen out of favour in 2016, you have to do something a bit different to capture the spirit of what it's about. We've come up with this de- vice of a group of people coming together to tell a story, where everyone except Don Quixote himself is aware that there's an audience watching. We're calling ourselves mechanicals, after the company who put on the play within a play in A Midsummer Night's Dream.” One of the earliest examples of the novel form, Cervantes' hefty work spans two volumes and multiple adventures. Reading a large amount at once is perhaps something akin to the modern-day box-set binge-watch, with individual ‘episodes’ framed within the context of an over-arching narrative that only gets stranger as the plot progresses. “In Book One, everyone just thinks Don Quixote is a madman, but in Book Two, he's become very famous. People start pretending to be other characters to please him and give him more adventures, so we've tried to reflect that.”

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by Heather Kincaid

sible inclusions such as puppets and songs, a 12-hour day for the audience and even but above all else, Cervantes' story is charac- longer for the cast, and to spend that much When I found terised by its irresistibly irreverent and just time with people so totally committed to myself writing less plain silly sense of humour. making every moment on stage as good as it ‘‘ could possibly be was thrilling - and also “Most people have heard of Don Quixote and less funny great fun. Just because you're in something without really knowing a lot about it, but serious doesn't mean that every moment things, I thought it there are a few quite well-known scenes that backstage people are talking gravely in people expect to see. One is Quixote fighting might be time to hushed tones.” windmills, and the other is him imagining try a different that herds of sheep are battling armies. I Hound is, naturally, pleased to be diversify- approach think when people see the windmill section ing his roles and moving away from the they'll be very pleased, and for the sheep comic niche in which he initially found him- there's some puppetry which is a joy to be- self. Since 2011, he's also been raising his act- hold.” ing profile with a variety of film and TV Unlike his travelling companion,” Hound's performances, beginning with a handful of Since the opportunity to appear in the show character Sancho is very much aware of the low-budget feature films. More recently, he’s arose, Hound has been immersing himself in audience's presence, often breaking the appeared in high-profile series such as Doc- the world of the story, reading not only a full- fourth wall to address them directly. Though tor Who and Russell T Davies' Channel Four text translation but also a couple of cut-down Sancho starts out sceptical of Quixote's drama Cucumber, as well as the CBBC series versions designed to capture the essence of plans, over the course of their adventures, Hounded. His motivation for this career the book. “I got the comic book version be- the two characters gradually grow towards change is primarily down to what he sees as fore I took the job, and that's very much each other. the power of stories to influence people's worth reading. Once I got the job, my son thinking.“I think what changes people's “He starts off agreeing to go along because thought it sounded very exciting and wanted minds about the kind of society they want to he's been offered his own island in exchange to know all about Don Quixote, so my wife live in and the aspirations they hold is often a for the work. By the end of it, though, he found a kids' version at the library which I connection to a story that moves them, and I thinks that this madman may be the most read to him while I was reading the full text. had a bit of an epiphany that I wanted to be noble and decent man he's ever known, so The kids' book still comes in at about 400 part of that. With stand-up, you can make doesn't like the idea that he's being viewed pages, but it's really great, and has incredible jokes and shout about what's wrong with the as mad rather than appreciated because of illustrations by Chris Riddell.” the big heart he has.” world, but the one thing you always have to Best known as a comedian, Hound is perhaps do as a comedian is make people laugh. Adapting such a complex narrative for the not someone you'd expect to see treading the When I found myself writing less and less stage is a tall order, but it's one that Hound is boards at the RSC, but this is not his first sig- funny things, I thought it might be time to try confident the team is pulling off successfully nificant stage role. In 2012, he took over the a different approach.” by working together to solve the problems it part of Francis Henshall from James Corden It's not all so high-minded, however - there poses. “Whenever we find the right solution in the National Theatre's One Man, Two Gu- was an ulterior motive for choosing acting to something, everybody feels it in their vnors, followed by a stint in the West End as over any other new direction. bones. We've had plenty of that along the Freddy in Jerry Mitchell's Dirty Rotten “I also just really like showing off, so in terms way, so I think we're all feeling rather buoyed Scoundrels. Last year, he was also part of of the skillset I had, it seemed like the most up by the process and can't wait to show it to Trevor Nunn's Wars Of The Roses at the Rose effective thing I could do!” people. Though equally, if someone would Theatre, Kingston, an intense combined stag- like to give us a few more months of re- ing of three Shakespeare history plays, all hearsals, that would be great too!” performed in a single day. If it all sounds incredibly complicated, “The joy of that was getting the chance to Hound insists that it “won't feel like that spend time with so many fantastic acting tal- Don Quixote shows at The Swan when you sit down and watch it”. The intrica- ents and being able to observe at close hand Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from cies of plot and form are offset by fun, acces- what makes them as good as they are. It was Thurs 25 February to Sat 21 May.

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Food

REVIEW: Giggling Squid, Stratford-upon-Avon just the right balance of sweet- terpoint to the lamb, so tender ness to heat. For the ultimate that it fell off the bone on con- Delightfully quirky... street-food experience, I recom- tact with fork and knife. mend the DIY Bundles - a do-it- For those looking for something For over two years, The Giggling I quickly found myself regretting yourself platter of chopped and a little more traditional, I recom- Squid has been tantalising the that there were only two of us in sliced tiger prawns, shallot, mend the Prawn Pad Thai, a tastebuds of discerning diners our party. Lucky for me, then, lime, peanut, lemongrass, chilli great example of no-frills Thai searching for an authentic taste that The Giggling Squid also and Thai dressing to wrap food, simply prepared, packed of Thailand in the heart of offers a set lunchtime ‘tapas’ according to your taste! and full of flavour. Special men- Shakespeare’s Stratford. As one menu, consisting of a mouthwa- Opting for a main course of tion too must go to the sticky of 14 existing branches currently tering 16 dishes - just perfect for ‘Stand Up Sea Bass’ - an intrigu- rice, which arrived served in in operation across the south of enjoying with friends. ing combination of crispy golden miniature bamboo steamer and the UK, the restaurant is the Entering the restaurant from the sea bass fillet infused with was cooked to absolute perfec- brainchild of husband-and-wife historic high street, I was imme- peanut, chilli, lime and lemon- tion. team Andy and Pranee diately impressed with how grass - the theatrical flourishes For its warm and welcoming Laurillard, whose rustic, Thai tastefully the interior married continued to come thick and ambience, attention to detail street food-inspired menu spe- modernity with both its rustic fast. Standing to attention, tail and delightfully quirky approach cialises in an eclectic choice of Thai and Tudor routes. Infused first, on a bed of lettuce, and to bringing the best of Thai sharable platters, Thai tapas and with the spirit of a traditional glazed with a vibrant mixture of street food to the British high signature ‘one dish’ specialities - Thai fishing village, distressed spring onion, chilli, peanut and street, The Giggling Squid gets a all delivered with a theatrical wooden walls, exposed beams galangal, this was as much a resounding thumbs up. Yes, sea- flair that would rival the bard and neutral sandy tones - work of art as it was a meal. The soned globetrotters might be himself. accented by playful pink and quality of the sea bass fillet was wise to approach with a pinch of Ideally located for both passing purple napkins - created a nothing short of exceptional. salt - but when it comes to bal- lunchtime trade and pre-theatre sophisticated yet intimate Having said that, I couldn’t help ancing traditional home-cooked dining, what separates The atmosphere, one which was fur- feel a little let down by the classics with a Western appetite, Giggling Squid from its nearest ther improved by the warm and sauce. Not that it wasn’t tasty. for novelty, The Giggling Squid South Asian restaurant rivals is attentive waiting staff. More likely that the complex more than succeeds in raising a the sheer variety of infinitely For starters, the Mixed Sharing notes of sweet, salty, hot and smile! Katherine Ewing tempting options on offer. Platter for two at £16.50 brought sour, so characteristic of Thai A brief scan of the menu reveals together Red Curry Thai fish cuisine, had been tempered Food: both a varied mix of signature cakes, hard-cut pork strips n n n n n down to satisfy a more commer- Service: Thai dishes, including Green grilled on skewers, salt and pep- n n n n n cial palate. Ambience: and Red Curry, Tom Yum soup, per squid and shredded mixed n n n n n By contrast, my partner’s choice Overall value salt and pepper squid and the vegetable spring rolls in a deli- n n n n n of lamb shank massaman curry - OVERALL ever-popular Pad Thai, along- ciously authentic homage to n n n n n perhaps the least characteristi- side a more adventurous choice Thai street cuisine. Succulent, cally ‘Thai’ ingredient to feature of locally sourced, coastal spe- melt-in-the-mouth and served Giggling Squid, on the menu - proved a surprise cialities, including seabream, with a tempting trio of sweet, 23 High St, hit. Infused with hints of cumin, mixed seafood curries and stir- hot and fiery dipping sauces, the Stratford-upon-Avon, cardamom and cinnamon, the fried squid, to name but a few. pork skewers in particular were CV37 6AU sweetened Arabian-inspired With a choice of over 18 freshly a real highlight, as were the fish Tel: 01789 268733 sauce provided the perfect coun- prepared starters on offer alone, cakes, delicately perfumed with

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Food

A taste of love... Love, history and food combine in Stratford-upon-Avon Simpsons Restaurant in Birmingham Husband-and-wife restauran- present an evening that will is offering romantic lovers and lovers teurs Steve and Claire Love are feature a private tour of the of food alike the chance to indulge offering an exclusive evening house and an eight-course din- their passion this Valentine’s Day. of food and history for roman- ner with wines. The Michelin-starred eatery is pre- tic couples to enjoy this Tickets for each evening are senting a special tasting menu to cel- Valentine’s weekend (13 & 14 £125 per person and limited to ebrate the day of love - so why not February) - in one of 30 guests per night. They can treat your beloved to what promises Stratford’s iconic Shakespeare be purchased by calling 07870 to be an evening of exquisite dining houses. 650195 or by emailing accompanied by a glass of bubbly? Steve and Claire are taking [email protected] But hurry, as spaces are limited. Call over Hall's Croft - once the om the reservations team on 0121 454 home of Shakespeare's eldest 3434. daughter and her husband - to

Leamington Food & Drink Festival

Something to sink your teeth into... With so many new foodie events springing up across the region, it can sometimes be hard to decide where best to indulge your tastebuds... Here are just some of the Midlands food and drink festivals you can check out this year...

LUDLOW FOOD SPRING FESTIVAL ELLESMERE FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL music, Fri 8 - Sat 9 July, Victoria September, Ludlow Castle, Shropshire Boasting over 180 small independent Coinciding with Father’s Day, Square, Birmingham food and drink producers from the Ellesmere’s food and drink festival TAMWORTH FOOD GUSTO FESTIVAL Marches, with plenty of food-related encourages families to come together THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL Taking place in the grounds of activities taking place in the town cen- and enjoy the entertainment on offer, This touring food festival arrives in Tamworth Castle, this ever-popular tre, Sat 14 - Sun 15 May, Ludlow Castle Sat 18 - Sun 19 June, Various venues in Staffordshire. With free chef demos, event is packed with stands from local and Castle Square, Ludlow Ellesmere, Shropshire kids cookery and a cake-off, there’s and regional producers, making it a plenty to see and do, Shugborough great day out for the family, Sat 10th - ALCESTER & FOREST OF ARDEN SPRING DROITWICH SPA FOOD & DRINK Estate, Staffordshire, Sat 9 - Sun 10 Sun 11th September FOOD FESTIVAL A chance to get your FESTIVAL Local food and drink come July Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire hands on the seasonal produce on together in this historic salt town, offer, including artisan cheeses and which welcomes both local residents BIRMINGHAM COCKTAIL WEEKEND LEAMINGTON FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL breads, beers, wines, fresh produce and visitors from further afield, Sat 18 A chance to sample the very best of Expect a packed programme, includ- and a wide variety of mainly local food - Sun 19 June, High Street, Droitwich Birmingham’s cocktail scene, with sev- ing the Taste Trail - featuring and drink, Sat 21 May, Alcester High Spa, Worcestershire eral exclusive events and masterclass- Leamington’s varied and diverse food Street, Warwickshire es, Fri 15 - Sun 17 July, Various venues and drink, Sat 10 - Sun 11 September, FOODIES FESTIVAL BIRMINGHAM The across the City Centre Pump Room Gardens, Royal ASPARAFEST This music and food festi- all-new Tasting Theatre is an exciting Leamington Spa val not only offers great local produce addition to this national food festival, BIRMINGHAM BEER WEEK Nine days of and real ale and cider, but also a vari- featuring masterclasses designed by beer-related events, activities and pro- STRATFORD TOWN CENTRE FOOD ety of crafts stalls featuring artisan food bloggers and experts, Fri 24 - Sun motions across the city, Mon 15 - Sun FESTIVAL Last year saw celebrity chefs crafts including leather work, willow 26 June, Cannon Hill Park, B’ham 23 July, Various venues across James Martin and Simon Rimmer in weaving and much more... Sat 4 - Sun Birmingham the Cookery Theatre. Keep an eye open 5 June, Ashdown Farm, Evesham, SHREWSBURY FOOD FESTIVAL for who will be headlining this year, Worcestershire Shropshire’s finest craftspeople are BIRMINGHAM BEER BASH A wide range Sun 25 September, Town Centre, invited to exhibit their wares at this of beers, stunning street food, fringe Stratford-upon-Avon THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL summertime festival, Sat 25 - Sun 26 events and entertainment, Fri 21 - Sun Taking place at historic venues across June, Quarry Park and around 23 July, Bond Co, Digbeth, Birmingham ALCESTER & FOREST OF ARDEN AUTUMN the Midlands and the North, GBFF Shrewsbury Town Centre FOOD FESTIVAL Forage through the offers lots of things to see and do, LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL AUTUMN food festival stalls, plan meals at local including a BBQ stage and Man V COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL Twenty-five Expect products you won’t find in your pubs, cafes and restaurants, Sat 15 Food competitions, Ragley Hall, of the district’s top venues offer a wide local supermarkets, from rare breeds October, Alcester High Street, Warwickshire, Sat 11 - Sun 12 June variety of tasters alongside cookery of meat to real ale from passionate Warwickshire and cocktail demonstrations and live producers and sellers, Fri 9 - Sun 11

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Gigs

Foals Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 19 February Indie rock band Foals formed over a decade ago and comprise lead vocalist and lead guitarist Yannis Philippakis, drummer and per- cussionist Jack Bevan, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Smith, bassist Walter Gervers and key- boardist Edwin Congreave. The band have released four studio albums to date and certainly show no sign of slowing down. Debut album Antidotes (2008) went straight into the UK Album Charts at number three, with Total Life Forever (2010) and Holy Fire (2013) also making the top ten. Having reached number three in the charts with critically acclaimed new album What Went Down, the band have now embarked on a UK and European tour. Everything Everything support.

Vula Viel Jarrod Dickenson Hare And Hounds, Birmingham, The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 25 February Thurs 11 February Texas-born Jarrod Dickenson’s critically acclaimed album, The Lonesome Traveler, saw him tour with Laura Marling, David Bromberg, John Fullbright, Duke Special and David Ford. Meanwhile, his EP, Songs From Willow St, enjoyed plenty of BBC airplay from radio hosts including Cerys Matthews and Dermot O’Leary. Dickenson gave breakout performances at Glastonbury and Larmer Tree, and recently embarked on a 21-date tour supporting The Waterboys. Vula Viel means ‘good is good’ in Dagaare, the language of a tribe in Upper West Ghana where lead singer Bex Burch used to live. A five-piece electronic, jazz and world music Hozier collective from London, the talented outfit O2 Academy, Birmingham, Tues 2 February bring the powerful, ancient Dagaare music Global star Hozier burst onto the music scene following the release of his single, Take Me into the 21st century and promise to ‘engage, To Church, which made it to number one in Belgium and peaked at number two in the entrance and excite your soul’. UK, the US and Ireland. Performances at Debut album Good Is Good has received rave prestigious events such as Victoria Secret Fashion Show, Billboard Music Awards and reviews from its critics and is described as Glastonbury have since seen the 25-year-old ‘an engaging mix of African, electronica and singer-songwriter’s career go from strength to strength. Hozier is touring the UK prior to minimalist influences’. taking time out to work on a new album.

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Gig previews from around the region

John Grant Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Mon 1 February

John Grant visits Coventry this month to celebrate the launch of third album Grey Tickles, Black Pressure. “I do think the album’s great, and I’m really proud of it,” he says. “I wanted to get moodier and angrier on this record, but I probably had a lot more Nathaniel Rateliff And albums - Desire And Dissolving Men (2007) fun making it.” and Falling Faster Than You Can Run (2013) Despite ongoing health issues - includ- The Night Sweats - he launched soulful rhythm & blues combo ing his HIV-positive status - the O2 Institute, Birmingham, Mon 15 February Nathaniel Rateliff And The Night Sweats. American singer-songwriter has Nathaniel Rateliff is a folk and blues singer- The seven-piece collective released their refused to slow down. “I want to con- songwriter from America. He learned to play self-titled debut offering last summer, secur- tinue to challenge myself,” says John, the drums at the age of seven, not long ing top spot in the US folk album charts. “to keep collaborating, to get the afterwards teaching himself guitar and start- sound or the direction that will take ing to write songs. After releasing two solo me where I need to go. To keep taking the bull by the horns.” Fenster Leona Lewis The Tin Music and Arts, Coventry, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 28 Wille And The Bandits Tues 16 February February Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 13 February; The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 18 February Fenster are a four-piece experimental psych- London-born Leona Lewis rose to fame back pop band based in Berlin. They’ve released in 2006 when she won the third series of Counting blues, rock, Latin and folk three full-length albums to date - Bones The X Factor. Best known for 2008 top-sell- among the styles of music they play, (2012), The Pink Caves (2014) and Emocean ing single Bleeding Love - which reached the Cornwall-based Wille And The (2015). The latter is the soundtrack to a sci-fi number one in over 30 countries - she’s back Bandits have toured their huge and adventure film created by and starring the on the road after a three-year break from eclectic sound with the likes of Deep band. touring to promote the release of her fifth Purple, Joe Bonamassa, The John The movie starts out as a documentary album, I Am. Butler Trio and Status Quo. They’ve about the band struggling to finish their also reached number two in the UK third record. While attempting to do so, blues charts, performed at the London they’re accidentally transported into an Olympics and played countless sets at alternate dimension where nothing is as it major music festivals, including seems... Glastonbury and BoomTown Fair. Fenster are here performing their cine-con- “Describing our music is always cert/film screening with a live score. hard,” says frontman Wille Edwards. “We get compared to all sorts of artists, so it’s maybe best if people Wet Wet Wet make up their own minds.” Genting Arena, Birmingham, Fri 26 February Wet Wet Wet are best remembered for having topped the charts for a record-busting 15 weeks back in the mid-1990s with Love Is All Around. But their success story stretches way beyond a single number-one hit, with the group having amassed well in excess of 20 top-40 hits and sold more than 15 million records. Support on the evening comes from Westlife’s Markus Feehily.

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Classical Music

Flanders Ex Cathedra: I Was Glad Symphony Town Hall, Birmingham, Sun 7 February Orchestra British choir and early music ensemble Ex Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Cathedra has based its reputation on the Wed 17 February performance of choral music from the Belgium’s highly regarded 15th century onwards. This latest presen- Flanders Symphony Orchestra tation features works from the 20th centu- here get their teeth into Brahms’ ry, including Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice In Third. A ‘free but happy’ offering, The Lamb. The piece was written by the as Brahms himself described it, composer during a particularly prolific the work was hailed by influen- period in the mid-1940s and is widely tial music critic Eduard Hanslick considered to be one of his finest choral as ‘artistically the most nearly works. perfect’ of the composer’s sym- The evening’s programme also features: phonies. Janácek’s Otce nás (The Lord’s Prayer), Also featured in the programme Leighton’s Crucifixus pro nobis, Parry’s I is Mozart’s Don Giovanni Was Glad and Walton’s The Twelve. Overture, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.1 and Ives’ The Unanswered Question. Jan Latham Koenig conducts, Craig Ogden Nikolai Demidenko is the pianist. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 5 February Sir Michael Tippett’s The Blue Guitar and Ginastera’s Guitar Sonata are the modern- Signum Quartet Emma Johnson And classic mainstays of Craig Ogden’s The Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Mozart’s Clarinet Bromsgrove programme. Fri 26 February Best known to British audiences for his Concerto numerous albums for Classic FM, the Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon- highly rated Australian classical guitarist Avon, Tues 16 February also performs: Scarlatti’s 3 Sonatas (K322, Hugely talented clarinettist Emma K177 and K178); Bach’s Lute Suite No 2 in Johnson here joins the Orchestra of A minor BWV 997; and David Knotts’ the Swan and takes on the challenge Grimm Tales. of Mozart’s famous concerto. The piece was the composer’s final purely instrumental work, debuting less than two short months before his death. The evening’s programme also features Gluck’s Dance Of The Blessed Spirits, Faure’s Nocturne from Shylock, Haydn’s Concerto For 2 Flutes and Mozart’s Symphony no33 in Bb major. David Curtis conducts.

Widely considered to be one of the most dis- Chamber Orchestra tinguished ensembles of its generation, the with EMVE Cologne-based Signum Quartet has garnered Elgar Concert Hall, Birmingham, numerous coveted awards since its inception Sun 7 February in 2004. The Chamber Orchestra and Early Modern Appearing in Leamington for the very first Vocal Ensemble (EMVE) here present an time, the ensemble performs a programme imaginative programme of music. featuring Haydn’s Quartet in Eb Op 20 No 1, Symphony in G minor by Pierre van Berg’s Quartet Op 3 and Brahms’ Quartet in A Maldere - the man often referred to as 'the minor Op 51 No 2. Flemish Mozart' - is accompanied by elegant works for orchestra and vocal ensemble. There’s also orchestral music by Charles-Joseph van Helmont and Petrus Hercules Brehy, two composers who look set to enjoy a bright future in the world of classical music.

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Lisa Maxwell DPS MM.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 14:33 Page 1

FEATURE Lisa Maxwell Loose Women regular talks about starring as the iconic Judy Garland in Peter Quilter’s End Of The Rainbow

In early 1969, after a string of unsuccessful shows generates a bout of bad press, a damaged and deteriorating Judy Garland attempts to get her life and career back on track with the help of her newest husband, Mickey Deans, and her devoted friend and accompanist, Anthony. But will a five-week run at London's Talk Of The Town be enough to rekin- dle a star that's rapidly burning out, and can she rely on the good in- tentions of the men around her? Before the end of June that year, Garland's drug dependence would get the better of her, resulting in her tragic early death. So goes the story of Peter Quilter's End Of The Rainbow, a poignant window onto the final days of one of Hollywood’s greatest icons. In a new production of the show directed by Mercury Theatre's Daniel Buckroyd and touring to Coventry's Belgrade Theatre this month, Lisa Maxwell (The Bill, Loose Women) stars as Judy Garland, alongside Gary Wilmot and Sam Attwater as Anthony and Mickey. What's On spoke to the leading lady to learn more. End of The Rainbow shows at “I'm absolutely in love with Judy, and I feel lationships with other people. very protective of her at the moment,” says “I know at times she behaved appallingly Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Maxwell. “When I was little, I was such a towards other people, but she had no idea Tues 23 to Sat 27 February fan of the family that I wrote a letter to of how to love or be loved because she was Jim'll Fix It asking if I could do a duet with never shown,” Maxwell explains. “Her re- Malvern Theatres Liza Minnelli.” Tues 5 to Sat 9 April lationship with Anthony is one that she's Maxwell is far from alone in her admira- comfortable with because he's just there to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre tion. In portraying such an enormously serve her. Even though he's a gay man, Mon 18 to Wed 20 April popular figure, she's mindful of the expec- there's a lot of chemistry between them, tations that many audience members will and he's partly there to represent her love Lichfield Garrick be bringing with them to the show. for her audience. With Mickey Deans, on Mon 16 to Wed 18 May the other hand, she has quite a volatile re- “The thing I think I'm most worried about lationship, although she’s very much in is really giving people what they expect, New Alexandra Theatre love with him. I think he loves her too, but Tues 21 to Sat 25 June because there'll be a lot of Judy Garland as a frustrated musician, he's nonetheless fans in the audience. Also, as a fan of her aware of the opportunities that being mar- myself, I want to do her justice. Die-hard ried to her can bring him. He's actually her Judy fans know everything about her, so I fifth husband, although she keeps calling hope that with this play we're giving them him husband number four because she what they know and love. For those who can't remember.” aren't fans, we're telling a sometimes funny, sometimes touching story of a Despite having watched all her films grow- woman with a serious alcohol and pill ad- ing up, Maxwell has spent time research- diction problem.” ing the woman behind the stardom, reading biographies and watching clips of The two characters who share the stage her performances on YouTube. with Judy in this show are almost symbolic of the double pull of her public and per- “I want to give the character as much sonal life. Though mostly confident of her depth as possible. It's important to say that audience's adoration, off-stage she strug- this is a play with songs rather than a mu- gled to build trust and maintain stable re- sical, so we're trying to tell a very truthful 18 whatsonlive.co.uk Lisa Maxwell DPS MM.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 14:33 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

I hope that “people see her vulnerability, as well as how absolutely hilarious she was.

story that’s wonderfully punctuated” with all these moments where we see her in concert. I hope that people see her vulnerability, as well as how absolutely hilarious she was.” One difficulty, of course, is that during her final months, Garland had not been performing as well as at the peak of her career, presenting anyone portraying this period of her life with a choice of whether to emphasise that decline, or to focus on the talent that made her famous. Maxwell knows where she stands. “I want to be able to sing all the songs well, and I've been seeing a vocal coach for a few months. Yes, she wasn't at the top of her game towards the end, but the one thing that she was always able to do was to turn it on and make magic happen on stage. I'm not allowing myself to say, 'Oh, it doesn't matter if you can't sing it, because she was at the end of her life'. I'm not taking that easy way out.” After five years presenting ITV's Loose Women, Maxwell is relishing the challenge of getting stuck into a tough acting role again. With her teenage daughter now old enough not to need her mum around so much, it's the perfect time to get back on stage and start touring again, though family life remains important to her. Outside work, she's also vice-patron of the Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home and has been helping to raise money for a new, top-quality facility in Gloucestershire. “It's going really well. We're there now and we're going to be opening in May. Hopefully it's going to be the best rescue centre ever! The facilities for the animals are wonderful and there are great working conditions for the staff so that when they come, they'll stay. I'm amazed that in an area where nature and animal life play such a big role there are still so many animals being mis- treated. It's a real passion of mine to see this facility flourish. That said, I can't take any of the credit for everything the people who’ve been with the charity for years have done - they've raised every penny themselves.”

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FEATURE Belinda Lang West End favourite stars in a snapshot of Soviet espionage on stage at The REP

At the height of the Cold War, while touring with the Shakespeare Memorial The- atre in Moscow, the flamboyant stage and screen star Coral Browne is thrown into an unexpected encounter with the notorious Cambridge spy, Guy Burgess. Years later, while supervising the restoration of a Titian painting, Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures Anthony Blunt dis- cusses art and forgery with the monarch, around the time of his exposure as a member of the same spy ring. In a new production of Alan Bennett's Single Spies by the Birmingham REP in collaboration with Chichester Festival Theatre, these two snapshots of Soviet espionage are brought to life on stage by Nicholas Farrell (The Iron Lady, The Lady In The Van, Legend), David Robb (Down- ton Abbey, Wolf Hall, The Young Victoria) and Belinda Lang (2point4 Children, Sec- ond Thoughts, Dear John), directed by Olivier Award nominee Rachel Ka- vanaugh. What's On recently caught up with Belinda about her two very different roles in the play. “Coral Browne is very theatrical,” says Lang, “she's an 'actressy actress', whereas the Queen is almost the opposite. She's not in- terested in gossip, and she even mentions how actors just talk about themselves all the time.” A singular, colourful presence, famed for her wicked sense of humour, Coral Browne left an indelible mark on the acting world. Lang recalls growing up with an even keener awareness of her “legendary personality” than of her performances. “My mother was slightly younger than Coral, but they were acting at a similar time, and she's very much someone I remember being spoken of. She was just outrageous and terribly funny, speaking with this foul language and always telling it like it is. I think being Australian gave her a different take on the manners of the day. Of course, she was also married to Vincent Price, who was one of my great TV heroes, so that made her all the more interesting to me.” Anyone taking on this role has the unique advantage - or challenge, depending on how you look at it - of being able to refer to the 820 www.whatsonlive.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk Belinda Lang DPS.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 15:18 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

real Coral Browne's own take on the story: in the film version of the play's first act, An Eng- lishman Abroad, Browne actually plays herself. “I think she was a bit too old to play her younger self by the time she came to do it. I’ve watched the film just to see, but I've decided to play her more the way that Alan's written her than the way she is in the film.” Meanwhile, the Queen's character is a trickier thing to get a handle on: as well as being The Queen is hard. You think you know how to play her, but when rather less flamboyant than Browne, she has ‘‘ you come to actually do it, you realise how difficult it is. something of an obligation to keep strong opinions under wraps, and to maintain a qui- ” etly dignified demeanour, at least in public. for years, so he was very much a part of her does with his characters: he presents them “The Queen is hard. You think you know how world.” with all their foibles, but he doesn't ask you to judge them, and he makes them kind of to play her, but when you come to actually do As the story has it, Burgess barged into loveable and funny.” it, you realise how difficult it is. It's very easy Browne's dressing room during the interval to go into a caricature and do a ludicrously of a production of Hamlet in which she was Lang has previously described Bennett as posh voice, but actually, she's not like that at playing the Danish Queen, Gertrude. Later, “one of those rocks that makes our country all. I've been watching lots of footage of her she was invited to his Moscow flat, where she sit together artistically”, possessing talents from over the years, but in the end, I'm not measured him for a suit he wanted ordered that extend beyond his compelling character an impressionist, I'm an actor, so I'm not from his London tailor. The specifics of the development. going to try to do an impersonation of her.” conversation between Blunt and the Queen “His use of language is beautiful, and he just Fortunately, Lang will have the interval to are drawn more from Alan Bennett's imagi- captures things in a way that seems so effort- make the transition: enough time to slip into nation, whereby a discussion of faked paint- less, though I'm sure it must take him hours a new character, as well as a new costume. ings once believed to be real serves as a and hours to create such sensitive work. Browne herself famously took issue with the clever metaphor for Blunt's betrayal. Their in- When you're learning one of his scripts, you costumes in the original National Theatre teraction nevertheless offers some profound feel like he's put every word in the right production, describing Prunella Scales' outfit insights into the impact of espionage on the place. He also has this very English humour. as a “defamation”, comprised of “fake fur lives of those involved. It's hard to put your finger on something like and hats that wouldn't have come out of a “People like Burgess were huge figures at the that, but you can almost imagine him laugh- grab bag at the Sally Army on Boxing Day”. time, and the papers were just full of stories ing as he writes.” about this spy ring, and endless speculation “When they first did the play at the National The quiet introspection and gentle pacing about who the fourth man was, and then the Theatre, it was at a time when people were that tend to characterise Bennett's work are a fifth man. Even today, people still talk about very anxious about using real fur, so they got far cry from Lang's previous performances at it and say there must have been others in- a fake one,” Lang explains. “Browne was ab- Birmingham theatres, which included Aunt volved, but of course none of that will ever be solutely appalled by this because she loved Eller in the classic Rogers & Hammerstein known now: it's all kept under firm wraps for furs, and had famously managed to get a fur musical Oklahoma! at the Hippodrome, and reasons of security, as well as out of embar- coat in every show she was in, or at least Ella Khan in a 2009 REP production of East Is rassment. Still, the play isn't so much about that's what's said of her. She was apparently East which met with an exuberant reception. spying as it is about the aftermath of it, and so horrified that she donated a real fur to the “I had a brilliant time,” she says of working having to live a lonely life because of it.” theatre, which they got rid of shortly after- on East Is East. “It was extraordinary - more wards. I'm afraid as a homage to Coral I'm True to form, Bennett blends comedy with like an event than a typical theatre piece be- going to be wearing real fur - I don't want her tragedy to bring a touching humanity to fig- cause it was jam-packed with all these people ghost coming and haunting us!” ures once held up as dangerous traitors. who just shouted wonderful things out. I It's not only the characters' looks and person- “He's a very affectionate writer, and it's loved every second of it! It will be interesting alities that are distinct: the nature of their re- something that you notice particularly when to come back and do a slightly less riotous lationships with the two spies could also you're doing this play, because he's very sym- play - let's hope this gets a warm reception hardly be further apart. pathetic towards these people who were vili- too!” “Coral Browne only met Guy Burgess once, fied in their day. Anthony Blunt was although they had a little correspondence supposed to have been rather unpleasant, after that, so this is just the true story of the but Alan's made him as hilarious and tolera- Single Spies shows at The REP, one meeting they had. On the other hand, for ble as he possibly could. Not because he ap- Birmingham from Wednesday 17 - the Queen, Anthony Blunt was on her staff proved of spying, but because that's what he Saturday 27 February.

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Comedy

Jo Caulfield Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 19 & Sat 20 February

Enjoy an evening of urban comedy in the company of the sharp-witted Jo Caulfield, one of the most successful and instantly recognisable female comedians in the country. Midlands-born Jo has appeared on plenty of well-known telly shows during her career, including Mock The Week, Have I Got News For You and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. “Information just leaves my brain continu- ally,” says Jo in talking about her latest show, Uninformed Opinions. “I think I realised that a couple of years ago, watching quizzes on TV. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, I like a quiz. I’m quite intelligent, I’m well read...’ Then I realised I didn’t remember anything. “Now I find quizzes quite annoying. I just watch them to see if there are actually people more stupid than me.

Check out page 53 for EXCLUSIVE Friday night deals at The Glee Club

Six of the best...

Richard Tony Law Mark Steel Herring The Slade Rooms, The Courtyard, Wolverhampton, Hereford, Sat 6 Station Pub, Thurs 11 February; February, Warwick Birmingham, Royal Spa Centre, Arts Centre, Wed 3 February Leamington Spa, Coventry, Thurs 11 Sat 13 February; February Richard Herring The Glee Club, has developed a Birmingham, Wed 17 “I started doing reputation as one February stand-up in 1982, of the UK’s most Zany alternative around the circuit of inventive and origi- comedy is Canadian bizarre gigs,” recalls nal comedians, cleverly using his real-life funnyman Tony Law's stock-in-trade, a fact highly regarded writer and comedian Mark trials and tribulations to inform his high- which means his audience is guaranteed an Steel. “I’d go on after jugglers and escapolo- quality line in comic patter. evening of truly off-the-wall, boundary-defy- gists and people that banged nails into their And he’s certainly not a man to shirk big or ing stand-up. ear. controversial subjects when it comes to his So if you like your comedians to be touched “Since then, I’ve spoken at lots of demon- comedy shows. Previous tours have seen him with genius while at the same time prone to strations, union meetings, protests and ben- ponder religion (Christ On A Bike), politics meander off-topic with gag-laden dialogues, efits - and yet capitalism still seems to rule (Hitler Moustache) and penises (Talking Tony is definitely the laughter merchant for the world. Maybe I’m a jinx!” Cock). you. A well-established performer on the UK com- This latest offering finds him contemplating Jokes include: “My kid was looking at me edy circuit, Mark’s CV includes the BAFTA- the subject of happiness. Questions for con- with doey eyes - we'd been baking that nominated Mark Steel Lectures for BBC Two, sideration include whether true belly laughs morning”. BBC One’s Have I Got News For You and only come from depression, and just how Tony visits the Midlands this month with his Radio Four’s News Quiz. much pressure Happy the dwarf was under brand new touring show, Frillemorphesis. His latest touring show, Who Do I Think I to live up to his name... Am?, takes a look at the subjects of identity and adoption.

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Adam Hills Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 13 February Birmingham Hippodrome, Sun 28 February One of Australia's most talented comedians, Adam Hills is a Perrier Award nominee and best-selling act at the Edinburgh Festival. His thoughtful comedy, inter- spersed with moments of real spontaneity, have earned him rave reviews across the globe, in the process winning him an ever-growing legion of fans. Jokes include: “Deaf people are c***s. I’m not afraid to say that out loud,” and “The Pope is resigning. He’ll soon be known as Ex Benedict”.

Tommy Steve Hall Russell Tiernan Mockingbird Theatre, Birmingham, Kane Sat 20 February Theatre Severn, The Rose Theatre, Shrewsbury, Steve Hall is not only related (via a convolut- Tewkesbury, Wed 10 February; Sat 27 February The Glee Club, ed web of Irish cousins) to Steve Coogan, Birmingham, he’s also often likened in both look and This man's official Sun 6 March sound to the Alan Partridge star. That said, publicity blurb With sold-out Hall is very much his own man, and has has previously shows across the been making a splash on the UK comedy cir- included the fol- world, it’s fair to cuit for many a year now. lowing: “Love. say Tommy Tiernan is a hugely successful Best known as one third of the We Are Klang Race. Politics. Class. Strap in for some super- Irish export - albeit an often controversial sketch group, Steve has also provided sup- speed sunderings and inconvenient sociolo- one. Most notably he once found himself in port for Russell Howard on three sell-out gy in an hour of self-soiling merriment that hot water for comments he made about the tours. will leave you with rickets.” Holocaust, Jews and the death of Christ. Russell Kane is a very funny man - and it’s And he’s not always been the comedian of not just his publicist who thinks so. Kane’s choice with parents of Down Syndrome chil- been drawing a crowd since bursting onto dren either... the scene way back in 2004, serving up liber- With his bag of gags also including jokes al doses of high-quality humour in an which take as their subject matter a act which also features some considerably methadone user, eastern European immi- weighty and thought-provoking material. grant accents and a film idea about gay trav- His latest touring show, Right Man, Wrong eller spacemen seeking a cure for homosexu- Age, is described as ‘a performance about ality, an evening in his company certainly growing up, growing down, and why farts has the potential to be a bit challenging. will always be funny’. That said, Tiernan’s not one of Ireland’s top comedians without very good reason...

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Theatre

WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk Impossible New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 16 - Sat 20 February This West End show has been hailed as ‘the UK’s biggest magic spectacular’. Fusing ‘death-defying’ stunts, technological trickery and close-up magic, Impossible rein- vents some of the biggest illusions in history. The touring version of the show features three original West End cast members - daredevil escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, mind-reading specialist Chris Cox and illusionist Ben Hart. The trio are joined by Britain’s Got Talent star James More, Cirque du Soleil and Hollywood trickster Lee Thompson and hip-hop and break-dancing magician Magical Bones. Expect to have your breath well and truly taken...

Miss Nightingale Doctor Faustus The Best Thing Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 2 February; Tues 9 - Sat 13 February Avon; Thurs 4 February - Thurs 4 August Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 6 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 11 - Fri 12 First published in 1604, 11 years after its February; Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South author Christopher Marlowe's death, the Shropshire, Sat 13 February; mac, Elizabethan-age story of Dr Faustus is a Birmingham, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 March familiar one. A disillusioned but knowledge- Leading full-mask theatre company Vamos hungry academic enters into a pact with the have collaborated with London International devil - one which will see him relinquishing Mime Festival to present this Swinging ’60s his soul in the afterlife in exchange for the story of unconditional love. enjoyment of unlimited power during his Described as ‘a bitter-sweet tale of mistaken time on earth... morals and broken hearts, 45s and beehives’, Maria Aberg returns to the RSC to direct this it focuses on the character of Susan, a young notorious tale of vanity, greed and damna- woman who finds her life unexpectedly tion. turned upside down at the tender age of 17... Read our interview with Maria online at whatsonlive.co.uk

Round And Round The Garden Described as ‘a heartwarming and hilarious cabaret-style story of love, loss and hope’, Lichfield Garrick, Mon 8 - Wed 10 February; Malvern Theatre, Tues 16 - Sat 20 February Miss Nightingale is set during the Second World War and tells the story of feisty singer Round And Round The Garden is one of Alan Maggie and her songwriter pal, George. Ayckbourn’s 1973 Norman Conquests trilo- As London crumbles around her, Maggie gy, three plays following the same cast of six yearns for the bright lights. George, mean- characters as they spend a weekend together while, keeps hidden a deep, dark secret. But in a Sussex country house. when wealthy club owner Sir Frank sidles The Norman of the title is a beguiling, fatally into their lives, everything suddenly flawed assistant librarian - a man intent on changes, and Maggie is miraculously trans- making women happy. But when he formed into satirical music hall star Miss attempts to seduce his sister-in-law and Nightingale... charm his brother-in-law’s wife - while at the same time attempting to keep on the right side of his own spouse - it soon becomes apparent that he’s bitten off more than he can chew...

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Theatre previews from around the region

WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk The Unknown Soldier Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 26 - Sat 27 February The need to keep a promise and repay a debt keeps Jack on the World War One battlefields, even though the guns have fallen silent... Described as a story of comrade- ship and betrayal, and of promises both broken and kept following the carnage of the Great War, The Unknown Soldier debuted at Edinburgh last year and was highly praised by the critics. Its author, award-nominated playwright Ross Ericson, enjoyed a 2013 success with Lord Of The Flies Park Theatre and has enjoyed rave reviews. Casualties, a fraught drama “Unfortunately, I don't think this story goes about the Afghanistan War and Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, out of date,” says the show’s director, Tues 23 - Sat 27 February its repercussions. Timothy Sheader. “We're even more exposed Written by William Golding in 1954, Lord Of to these kind of events today than people The Flies tells the story of a group of British were in the 1950s. Then, it was more of a I Know All The boys who find themselves stranded on an ‘what if?’. Now, we've all seen terribly tragic Secrets In My uninhabited island. In an effort to bring examples of violence from and against chil- World some order to their peculiar existence, they dren and young people in the news - whether attempt to govern themselves - but things it's child soldiers in Africa, teenage girls run- The Drum, Birmingham, soon get seriously out of hand... ning away to Syria, or horrible youth gangs Fri 25 - Sat 26 February This new version of Golding’s classic is pre- and murder cases in disenfranchised pockets One of the UK’s first British sented by London’s award-winning Regent’s of our own country.” African theatre companies, Tiata Fahodzi, are the talented ensemble behind this thought-provoking two-hander. Presented by the actors using mime and Land Of Our Fathers Of Mice And Men movement, the show follows the mac, Birmingham; Tues 2 - Wed 3 February The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 4 - Sat 13 experiences of a father and son February; Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, as they grieve the loss of the Tues 8 - Sat 12 March woman they both loved... George and Lennie are drifters who only have A resident company at Watford each other and their shared search for the Palace Theatre, Tiata Fahodzi American Dream. George is the sharp little has built a reputation for pre- guy who looks out for Lennie. Lennie, mean- senting accessible productions while, is his big-hearted companion who, with wide appeal, in so doing unaware of his own strength, seems unable crossing boundaries of race, to keep out of trouble. gender, age and wealth. Finding work on a ranch in California, they “We seek to challenge presump- plan to stay long enough to buy a little place tions,” explains the company, of their own - but their arrival triggers a tragic “and to reveal the African expe- chain of events that rience to British audiences in Chris Urch’s play made a significant splash when it debuted in 2013, picking up the Time threatens to destroy ways that are unusual and unex- the very dream that pected. We want to be formally Out Critic’s Choice and Fringe Show Of The Year awards. Hailed as an engrossing and unites them... adventurous as well as rigorous This brand new ver- in our storytelling.” powerful theatrical experience, the play is set in South Wales on the day that Margaret sion of the John Thatcher came to power. Steinbeck classic Trapped down a coal mine, six Welsh miners stars Dudley Sutton await rescue, in the meantime engaging in in the role of Candy. heated conversations that will change their world forever...

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Theatre previews from around the region

Merry Wives The Jersey Boys New Vic Theatre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tues 9 - Sat 20 February Fri 5 - Sat 27 February Rockin’ and rollin’ New Jersey boys Frankie Valli Mistresses Page and Ford and The Four Seasons scored some truly massive believe it’s high time that the fat knight Sir John Falstaff was hits during the 1960s. Best-known numbers taught a lesson. After all, the big included Walk Like A Man, Bye Bye Baby, Big fella’s been courting them both - Girls Don't Cry, Sherry and December 1963 (Oh, and caring not one jot about the What A Night). fact that both of them are mar- This massive Tony, Olivier and Grammy award- ried! winning jukebox musical tells their story. This Shakespearian tale of buck- Taking a documentary-style format, the show is baskets, frolicsome fairies and structured as four ‘seasons’, each being narrated mistaken identity here receives by a different member of the band. the Northern Broadsides treatment.

Stags And Hens Avenue Q Jeeves And Wooster Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Lichfield Garrick, Tues 23 - Sat 27 February Thurs 11 - Fri 12 February February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 21 - Sat 26 March The delightful world of PG Wodehouse is here A typical Willy Russell comedy, This Tony Award-winning musical focuses on brought to the stage by amateur ensemble Stags And Hens manages to be subjects such as dating, racism, being gay and Different Animal. both funny and thought-provok- finding your purpose in life. Featuring an engaging cast of quirky characters, ing. And as with the majority of At the centre of the story is Princeton, a bright- Perfect Nonsense finds Bertie Wooster being the playwright’s work, it also unwittingly called on to play matchmaker when has plenty to say about British eyed college graduate with a tiny bank balance a country house weekend takes a turn for the working class society. First pub- who, as he sets out on a voyage of self-discov- worse. lished thirty years ago in a col- ery, is easily distracted by a busty blonde and a lection with Educating Rita and plethora of weird and wonderful friends. To add to his problems, Bertie needs to steal a Blood Brothers, it focuses on the silver cow creamer from Totleigh Towers. stag and hen parties taking Needless to say, the ever-dependable Jeeves is place the night before Dave and on hand to save his employer’s blushes... Linda’s wedding. Problem is, both events are being held in the same venue. And to make matters worse, Linda’s ex has Wilde Without The Boy unexpectedly turned up, leaving Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, the bride-to-be with a life- Staffs, Fri 12 February changing decision to make... This dramatic interpretation of De Profundis - the letter Oscar Wilde sent to his lover, Lord Life And Times Alfred Douglas, from Reading gaol, where he’d been imprisoned for acts of gross indecency Of The Tat Man Who’s Afraid Of with other males - is directed and dramatised by Old Joint Stock Theatre, Virginia Woolf? the award-winning Gareth Armstrong and per- Birmingham, Wed 3 February; Arena Theatre, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, formed by Gerard Logan. Wolverhampton, Tues 9 - Sat 13 February It’s accompanied by a companion piece from the Sat 13 February same two men, Wilde’s The Ballad Of Reading Edward Albee’s 1962 play is best remembered David Calcutt’s much-admired Gaol - a poem narrating the execution of Charles from its film version, which starred Richard Thomas Wooldridge, who’d been convicted of play is a one-man show that’s Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The play focuses been variously described as murdering his wife. on a middle-aged couple named Martha and ‘powerful’, ‘stirring’, ‘intimate’ and ‘enthralling’. George, and examines the spectacular decline of The Tat Man is a restless soul, their marriage. As the couple wage war against and from the scrapyard tells one another, in the process drawing their young tales of travelling folk, bloody house-party guests into a series of all-or-nothing births, blacksmiths, devils and ‘games’, it becomes increasingly hard for them talking horses. to distinguish the line between fact and fiction... His stories lead to the landscape of World War One, where, as dreams are shattered, he’s left to gather together the pieces in an effort to make sense of things... For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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Spring 2016 A new look for a new year

Wed 17 - Sat 20 Feb Ashton Double Bill Wed 24 - Sat 27 Feb Romeo & Juliet

Tue 9 - Wed 17 - The Barber of Seville Tue 1 & Sat 13 Feb Sat 27 Feb Rossini Fri 4 Mar From £18.50 From £10 NEW PRODUCTION From £16.50

Wed 9 Mar - Mon 25 - Mon 30 May Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr - Sat 4 Jun From £25 From £13.50 From £20

Nederlands Carlos Acosta Cloud Gate Dance Dance: Sampled Ballet BC Dans Theater 2 Theatre of Taiwan

Tue 3 & Fri 6 & Tue 10 & Tue 17 & Fri 20 & Wed 4 May Sat 7 May Wed11May Wed18May Sat 21 May From £15 From £15 From £15 £15 From £15

Produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council.

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min. plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre February.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 15:29 Page 5

Kids shows this month...

Rapunzel The Return Of Neverland

Gangsta Granny

Annie The Owl Who Was Afraid The Return Of Neverland Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 1 - Of The Dark The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Shropshire, Sat 6 February; Wolverhampton Grand Fri 12 - Sat 13 February Old Rep, Birmingham, Mon 15 February Theatre, Mon 4 - Sat 9 April Jill Tomlinson’s bestselling children’s classic Even timeless classics can benefit from a Birds Of A Feather actress Lesley Joseph stars is here brought to the stage by the talented fresh perspective - and that’s exactly what as the far-from-pleasant Miss Hannigan in Blunderbus. The ensemble utilise music, this show is giving JM Barrie’s much-loved this latest version of the oft-touring puppetry and storytelling to present the story of Peter Pan. Broadway hit. delightful tale of a baby barn owl who’s not As Neverland’s magic decreases, Peter and The heart-warming rags-to-riches tale of a lit- as comfortable with the darkness of night as the Lost Boys find themselves grounded. tle girl who finds herself transported from a maybe he should be... Then, unexpectedly, a secret is revealed that New York orphanage to the luxurious world may not only save the island but make it of millionaire Oliver Warbucks, the show fea- more powerful than ever before.... tures plenty of memorable songs, including It's A Hard Knock Life and the legendary Gangsta Granny Tomorrow. Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 16 - Sat 20 February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, The Gruffalo’s Child Wed 8 - Sat 11 June; New Alexandra Theatre, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 28 June - Sat 2 July; Thurs 4 - Fri 5 February Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 12 - Sun 16 The Lost Things October This Tall Stories Theatre Company’s musical Lichfield Garrick, Mon 15 - Tues 16 February; The ever-popular Birmingham Stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel mac, Birmingham, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 February Company make a welcome return with their Scheffler’s much-loved book is sure to be a hit with kids, and finds the Gruffalo and his Award-winning theatre company Tortoise In adaptation of David Walliams’ best-selling youngster embarking on yet another adven- A Nutshell have here teamed up with writer book. ture in the deep, dark wood. Oliver Emanuel to present a show that’s Ben’s no lover of Friday nights - and why Despite her dad's warning to stay away from described as ‘a dark fairytale where nothing would he be? After all, Friday nights mean the wood, the Gruffalo's child decides it's is quite as it seems’. having to stay at Granny’s house, where he’s time to go and explore, unworried by the leg- When a boy falls, he finds himself in a terri- not only bored senseless but also has to eat end of the Big Bad Mouse... All adults must fying new world of lost things - including a an unholy trinity of cabbage dishes - cabbage be accompanied by a responsible child! mysterious girl who’s busying herself build- soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake. But ing an amazing machine... experiences can sometimes be deceptive, and Ben soon finds out that there’s way more to his boring old Granny than ever he’d imag- Cinder-Ella ined... Rapunzel Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 11 February; The REP, Birmingham, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 13 February Sat 13 February Immersion Theatre have earned themselves Here Be Monsters The ever-imaginative Krazy Kat Theatre make an enviable reputation for their witty, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 17 February; a welcome return with a show that features tongue-in-cheek retellings of much-loved Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 5 March puppetry and sign language. tales. Their last visit to Shrewsbury saw them When a grandfather is left holding a rather The villainous Captain Cut-Throat may be presenting a sparky and sold-out version of leaky baby, he decides to create a world of adamant that monsters simply don’t exist, The Wind In The Willows - and there’s every fantasy, using dolls, magic tricks and even but his usually fearsome crew are far from reason to imagine this latest offering will be an old pram to bring alive his favourite fairy- convinced by their skipper... a similar bums-on-seats success story. tale. Based on the book by Jonathan Emmett, this The book and lyrics come courtesy of the cre- sea-faring adventure features a veritable ators of hit US television series Friends... treasure chest of songs and interactive fun. As starting points for an entertaining experience go, that certainly isn’t a bad one. For full theatre listings, visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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Dance

WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 9 - Sat 13 February Described as a fairytale for all ages, Matthew Bourne’s gothic reworking of Perrault’s classic fairytale has received rave reviews since making its debut at London’s Sadlers Wells. The decade of the 1890s - a period synony- mous with fairies, vampires and decadent opulence - is the starting point for this haunting tale of good versus evil, which begins with the birth of Princess Aurora. The action then shifts to the 1920s, as the princess makes the transition into adoles- cence, and then jumps forward once again - this time to the modern day, and her awaken- ing from 100 years of slumber...

Birmingham Royal Ballet: 2Faced Dance: Into The Hoods: Remixed Ashton Double Bill Dreaming In Code Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Thurs 25 - Sat 27 February Birmingham Hippodrome, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 9 February Wed 17 - Sat 20 February This double bill of works from award-winning choreographer Tamsin Fitzgerald and Eddie Ray for Frantic Assembly is performed by one of the UK’s most innovative male dance ensembles. The Herefordshire-based 2Faced Dance Company was formed by Fitzgerald in 1999, its stated mission being to inspire and increase dance provision to young people and the wider community. The company here performs a work that’s been described as ‘exhilarating, heartbreak- ing, devastating and joyful’. Dreaming In Code comprises two presentations - Lucid Grounds and Milk Night. Both use a combi- This Birmingham Royal Ballet tribute to Sir nation of theatre, dance, film and music by Sadler’s Wells associate artist Kate Prince Frederick Ashton, one of England’s most Angus MacRae and Tony-nominated com- here presents the story of two lost school admired and influential choreographers, poser Alex Baranowski to contemplate what features two of his best-loved one-act bal- the future could look like. children who’re tasked with finding a num lets. ber of items, including trainers as pure as Created by Sir Frederick in 1964, The Dream has been described as an ‘elegant and witty gold and a hoodie as red as blood. Their distillation’ of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. efforts to do so bring them into contact with BRB’s performance of the work kick-starts some truly colourful characters, among the company’s year-long celebration of them wannabe singer Lil Red and vivacious Shakespeare, four hundred years after the playwright’s death. rapper Rap On Zel. A Month In The Country, meanwhile, is a The youngsters soon find themselves inextri poignant, romantic tale inspired by Ivan cably involved in ‘a storybook adventure Turgenev’s play of the same title. It tells the story of a bored housewife, her young foster into the heart of a pulsating community’. daughter, and the rivalry that develops This is a newly revamped version of the between them when a handsome young stu- award-winning 2008 West End production. dent enters their lives...

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Dance previews from around the region

WIN! TICKETS To enter, visit whatsonlive.co.uk Salaam Old Rep, Birmingham, Thurs 4 February A double bill celebrating ‘harmony, inner-stillness and the simple bliss of being alive’, Salaam (meaning ‘peace’) is the latest work from British-born dancer-choreographer Sonia Sabri and her dynamic ensemble. Sonia describes Salaam as “a response to unrest around the world that aims to refocus on and reminisce about all that is good”... Over the years, her highly rated company has established an international reputation for its presentation of Kathak dance in a contemporary context. DeNada Dance Theatre: Ham And Passion mac, Birmingham, Thurs 25 February

The history of homosexuality in 20th century Spain is the subject of this brand new show Richard Alston from choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra and his DeNada Dance Theatre company. Dance Company The dance triple bill is being promoted as an evening of ‘seductive, provocative and emphati- Malvern Theatre, Worcestershire, cally Spanish contemporary dance theatre that will subvert the senses’. Tues 16 - Wed 17 February DeNada has a fast-growing reputation for the vigorously physical style of its shows, blending dance vocabularies to present work that’s been described as accessible, humorous and Richard Alston is recognised as poignant... one of British dance’s most inspiring and influential choreographers, his work being described by The New York Times as 'the finest by any cho- Motionhouse Dance Brendan Cole: reographer alive’. Alston is also Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, A Night To Remember renowned for his instinctive Thurs 4 - Fri 5 February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 21 musicality - an attribute which mac, Birmingham, Tues 9 - Wed 10 February; February; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, is sure to be much in evidence in Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 26 February Sun 20 March this celebration of the compa- Although Motionhouse’s work is essentially Brendan Cole is once again out on tour with ny’s 20th anniversary. A triple rooted in dance, the Leamington-based this hit production, presenting a show that bill, the performance features: ensemble also draw on theatre, circus, acro- features, among other dance styles, waltzes, Nomadic (connecting Romanian batics and film to create visually stunning quicksteps, tangos and salsas. Described by gypsy music and electronic performances. Cole as ‘an evening with style, with some- sound), Martin Lawrance’s The company is out and about in the thing for everyone’, the production provides Burning (inspired by the Dante Midlands with not one but two presentations the Strictly Come Dancing stalwart with Sonata of Franz Liszt) and this month... plenty of opportunity to demonstrate his Overdrive (in which Alston takes Broken fuses athletic dance with digital slick dance moves and impressive vocal up the pulsating rhythms of imagery and original music to examine prowess. Californian composer Terry man’s precarious relationship with the Riley’s music). earth... Captive and Underground, meanwhile, are performed as a double bill. The former - blending dance, acrobatics and aerial work - is performed by four dancers in a rocking tubular structure. The latter uses ‘physical dance, poignant imagery and surprising aerial encounters’ to explore the new reality of train travel.

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Film

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Deadpool CERT 15 tbc Starring Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, TJ Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, Leslie Uggams Directed by Tim Miller (USA) Special Forces operative Wade Wilson is sub- jected to an experimental treatment to cure his cancer. However, things do not go according to plan and he is left severely disfigured. But it’s not all bad: although he seems to have acquired a twisted sense of humour and an unstable mind, he is endowed with new healing powers. So he hangs up his khakis and takes on the superhero moniker of Deadpool, setting off to exact his revenge. In the hands of Ryan Reynolds - who does a “twisted sense of humour” proud - this could be enormous fun. Having helmed the title sequence to the American remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, Tim Miller now steps into his full-length directorial debut. We wish him luck. In IMAX. Released Wed 10 February

Film highlights released in February...

Dad’s Army CERT 15 tbc Rams CERT 15 (93 mins) Starring Bill Nighy, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Starring Sigurður Sigurjónsson, Toby Jones, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Theódór Júlíusson Blake Harrison, Daniel Mays Directed by Grímur Hákonarson Directed by Oliver Parker (UK) (Iceland/Denmark) In a remote, windswept corner of Iceland reside two prize rams, Garpur and Sproti. Coincidentally, they belong to Gummi and Kiddi, who happen to be neighbours - and brothers - who haven’t spoken to each other in forty years… Anybody who ‘gets’ Icelandic humour Goosebumps should relish the doleful, under-stated and straight-faced portrait of rivalry, competi- CERT PG (103 mins) tion, loneliness and sheep as delineated Starring Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, here. Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan, Ryan Lee The fact that it is so entirely plausible and Directed by Rob Letterman (USA) Don’t panic! This may be another big-screen bleakly beautiful just adds to the distinctive translation of a beloved British treasure, but RL Stine is dubbed ‘the Stephen King measure of this haunting and original work. the cast is truly impressive. No doubt younger of children’s literature’ and here is And if you think you know where the story viewers couldn’t tell John Le Mesurier from played by Jack Black in a comic-horror is going, you may be surprised. It’s grim up John Laurie, so this lot should do very nicely fantasy adapted from his own series. north - but, here, it’s also quite droll and as the inept conscripts of the Home Guard. When Stine’s imaginary demons are surprisingly moving. The scripter Hamish McColl is perhaps best unleashed on the town of Madison in Released Fri 5 February known for co-writing the theatrical hit The Delaware, his daughter Hannah (Rush) Play What I Wrote and contributing to the teams up with a new teenager on the ‘story’ of Paddington. block to try and save the day. In 3D. Released Fri 5 February Released Fri 5 February

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Film releases in February

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Trumbo CERT 15 (124 mins) Starring Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, Louis CK, Elle Fanning, John Goodman Directed by Jay Roach (USA) Understandably, Hollywood has proved to be rather obsessed with the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950s. Here, the Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Roman Holiday, Spartacus) is the focus of our sympathies, an anarchic talent with a keen eye for a good line. In the hands of Bryan Cranston, he is a compelling figure, brandishing a cigarette-holder in his teeth while knocking out screenplays in the bath. He’s well supported by Diane Lane in an unshowy performance as his long-suffering wife Cleo and by a barnstorming turn from Helen Mirren as the waspish gossip colum- Concussion However, he soon discovers that Webster nist Hedda Hopper. As an engrossing drama was suffering from chronic traumatic CERT 12a (123 mins) recalling such a preposterous passage of encephalopathy, a disorder resulting Hollywood shame, the film is good value. Starring Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Albert Brooks, Arliss from concussion sustained during his Released Fri 5 February Howard, Luke Wilson career as an offensive lineman. But with Directed by Peter Landesman (USA) his department’s finances stretched If you think FIFA is corrupt, you should beyond breaking point and with the try this true-life drama. Will Smith plays National Football League making his life Bennet Omalu, an eccentric Nigerian as awkward as hell, Bennet funds his pathologist whose life changes forever own continuing investigation. It may be when he cuts open the brain of former costing him his life savings, but he has to football legend Mike Webster. At first do the right thing... Bennet is confused by what he finds. Released Fri 12 February

Alvin And The Chipmunks: A Bigger Splash The Road Chip CERT U (92 mins) CERT 15 (124 mins) Starring Jason Lee, Tony Hale, Kimberly Starring Ralph Fiennes, Dakota Johnson, Williams-Paisley, with the voices of Justin Matthias Schoenaerts, Tilda Swinton Long, Anna Faris, Christina Applegate Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Italy/France) Directed by Walt Becker (USA) Recuperating from an operation on her Believe it or not, this is the fourth cinematic vocal chords, the androgynous rock star outing for the mischievous ground squirrels Marianne Lane (Swinton) holidays on the (created by a hit single in 1958). remote island of Pantelleria with her consid- Here, they suspect that their human inti- erably younger boyfriend (Schoenaerts). But mate Dave (Lee) is going to dump them in their idyll is rudely interrupted by the favour of his new girlfriend, so they set off arrival of Marianne’s former partner on a road chip [sic] to Miami to stop him. (Fiennes), along with his sultry 22-year-old Expect irritatingly high voices. companion (Johnson)… Reuniting Ms Released Fri 12 February Swinton with Luca Guadagnino, the director of I Am Love (2009), A Bigger Splash is a Oddball and the Penguins loose adaptation of Jacques Deray's crime CERT U (96 mins) drama La Piscine (1969). And it’s an odd Starring Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Alan one, to say the least. There is much to Tudyk, Deborah Mailman, Coco Jack Gillies, admire, but then also little to engage. The Terry Camilleri main problem, though, is that the charac- Directed by Stuart McDonald (USA) ters are more colourful than believable and Oddball is the canine protagonist of this we are given little reason to care for them. decidedly odd true-life story. When a popu- Above all, though, the film suffers from a lation of penguins on an Australian island haemorrhaging unevenness of tone. Is it a are decimated by foxes, a farmer (Jacobson) family melodrama, erotic thriller or madcap decides to train his dog to look after the farce? In spite of the best efforts of all, it seabirds. The result was astonishing. doesn’t succeed on any count. Released Fri 12 February Released Fri 12 February whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Film Feb - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2016 16:17 Page 3

Film

Zoolander 2 CERT tbc Triple 9 CERT 15 (116 mins) Gods Of Egypt CERT tbc Starring Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Starring Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Brenton Penélope Cruz, Kristen Wiig, Benedict Anthony Mackie, Aaron Paul, Woody Thwaites, Chadwick Boseman, Rufus Sewell, Cumberbatch Harrelson, Kate Winslet Gerard Butler, Geoffrey Rush Directed by Ben Stiller (USA) Directed by John Hillcoat (USA) Directed by David Gordon Green (USA) When Set, the god of darkness, plunges It’s been a long time coming, but the sequel If done properly, heist films are pretty Egypt into chaos, a young thief determines to Ben Stiller’s cult comedy of 2001 finally irresistible. This one is directed by to dethrone him for taking the love of his arrives with a very starry ensemble (includ- John Hillcoat, the uncompromising life captive. Not to be mistaken for a sequel ing cameos from Justin Bieber, Kim filmmaker with such credits as The to Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods And Kings. Kardashian, Lewis Hamilton, et al). Proposition, The Road and Lawless When Zoolander’s mesmerising and iconic under his belt. Here, a gang of crimi- Released Fri 26 February ‘blue steel’ look ends up on the faces of a nals in cahoots with a cabal of corrupt string of celebrity corpses, he’s recruited by cops get together to pull off a seem- Interpol to help solve the crimes. ingly impossible robbery. But first Released Fri 12 February they must eliminate a certain police officer… Released Fri 19 February The Finest Hours CERT 12a (117 mins) How To Be Single Starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger CERT 15 (110 mins) Directed by Craig Gillespie (USA) Starring Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, Leslie Mann, Jason It’s been quite a year for blizzards (cf. The Mantzoukas, Damon Wayans Jr Hateful Eight, The Revenant) and now we Directed by Christian Ditter (USA) have a nor’easter that splits asunder two oil The title says it all: in a world of ever tankers off the New England coast. The year complicated definitions of a meaning- is 1952 and this big-budget disaster movie is Secret In Their Eyes ful relationship, four single New York based on the very true event now known as CERT tbc women strive to live life to the full - on the Pendleton rescue mission. In 3D. their own terms. Based on the novel of Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, Released Fri 19 February Julia Roberts, Dean Norris, Michael Kelly, the same name by Liz Tuccillo. Alfred Molina Released Fri 19 February Directed by Patricia Riggen (Chile/Colombia) Freeheld A team of investigative agents is thrown into CERT 12a (101 mins) disarray when a murder victim turns out to be the daughter of DA employee Jess Cobb Starring Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell, Luke Grimes, Josh (Julia Roberts). A remake of the Oscar-win- Charles ning Argentine film of the same name, this Directed by Peter Sollett (USA) crime thriller should surely, finally cement Last year Julianne Moore won an Oscar for Chiwetel Ejiofor's standing in Hollywood. playing a woman suffering from Released Fri 29 January Alzheimer’s. She’s now playing a victim of a very different stripe. She is New Jersey detective Laurel Hester and the proud same- sex partner of Stacie Andree (Ellen Page). Peter Sollett's Freeheld is a more credible drama than Still Alice (for which Moore won Grimsby CERT tbc her Oscar), and a good deal more moving. It Starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark helps, of course, that Laurel Hester is a true Strong, Rebel Wilson, Penélope Cruz, character and that Ellen Page is so damned Isla Fisher, Gabourey Sidibe good as the younger lesbian. Directed by Louis Leterrier (UK) Michael Shannon contributes male ballast Sebastian Grimsby (Strong) is success- as Laurel’s professional partner, while Steve ful, efficient and deadly - and one of Carell adds light relief as a gay legal activist. MI6’s most prized assassins. However, It’s an emotive, eloquent and even funny when the fate of the world is in the drama and a testament to the skills of its balance, he is forced to team up with superior cast. his estranged brother Nobby, a foot- Released Fri 19 February ball hooligan and an idiot. Released Wed 24 February

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FEATURE

Ikon - a flagship venue... Ikon’s Director Jonathan Watkins talks about an exciting new season of thought-provoking work

Arriving as a student at Birmingham Uni- bedroom window and standing alone in the versity's Centre for Contemporary Cul- streets, there are some beautifully tender tural Studies in the late 1960s, Harvard images of Kathleen with her infant children, graduate Janet Mendelsohn embarked on and an insightful collection of interviews a project to document life in the impov- with both her and members of her family. erished inner-city district of Balsall One of the first academic bodies to give seri- Heath. Then notorious for its slum hous- ous attention to popular culture, the Centre ing, prostitution and growing immigrant for Contemporary Cultural Studies that population, the area became a source of Mendelsohn attended was a vital part of the moral panic, inspiring the young development of a new discipline that would Mendelsohn to produce a striking photo- go on to gain international recognition. Nev- essay exploring the medium as “a tool for ertheless, the centre was eventually closed social analysis”. in 2002. Decades later, thanks to historian Kieran Varna Road is just one part of Ikon's 2016-17 Connell and a new exhibition at Ikon, programme with a local connection. Over Mendelsohn's work is finally getting the which became a seat of international ten- the summer, the gallery will display the local recognition it deserves. Publicly dis- sion during the 19th century as foreign pow- striking monochrome landscapes of Jesse playing many pieces for the first time in the ers fought over their natural resources. The Bruton, one of its founding artists. Towards UK, Varna Road opens a fascinating window word guano refers to bird excrement that the end of the year, it will host a comprehen- onto the troubled history of Birmingham has built up over centuries, valued for its sive survey of the work of Birmingham-born and the titular street, once described as “the powerful fertilising properties. Roger Hiorns, known for his innovative use wickedest road in Britain”. of objects and materials. Hiorns will also be “It was like a kind of gold that travelled all “Balsall Heath is a very historic and textural engaging in off-site activities, including the around the world, and resource wars actu- part of the city, and what you see in the pho- burial of a 737 aeroplane on a nearby ally broke out over it,” Watkins explains. tographs is almost unrecognisable now,” brownfields site, and an intervention into “It's only mined occasionally now, but in the says Jonathan Watkins, Director of Ikon church services at Birmingham Cathedral 19th century, everybody pounced on it be- Gallery. “They were taken just before the which will see the choir arranged in random cause it would give you maybe three, four, wrecking machines started to move in for patterns, lying on their backs for evensong. even five times the agricultural yield of what the slum clearance.” had been used previously.” “Ikon is a flagship venue for visual arts in The exhibition follows a glimpse into her this city and this region,” says Watkins, The project marks something of a departure work that was displayed at Balsall Heath's “and it would be negligent of us not to ac- for Lê, who is best known for his work Ort Café as part of last year's Flatpack Festi- knowledge that context and not to be cham- around the Vietnam War, often juxtaposing val. Ghost Streets Of Balsall Heath sought to pioning what happens here, with respect to pictures of Vietnam with images from west- engage residents of the area, offering a both contemporary art practice and to our ern culture. range of activities, talks and screenings to heritage. At the same time, there’s a wider “What the artist wants to do is to relate what help contextualise the images. context of an increasingly globalised art happened then to what's gone on more re- world. You don't just think of yourself in “That selection was made very much with cently in his part of the world. We're still in your local area - you're part of a wider the local community in mind,” Watkins the process of working some things out, but world, and to a large extent the demo- says. “But the selection is going to be much there will be footage from the South China graphic of Birmingham reflects that. Birm- greater here. As well as more of the Balsall Sea and a kind of montage of news reports ingham is a manifestation of a huge global Heath photographs, we have a set focusing on what's happening in that part of the movement of people, so it's locally relevant on the daily life of a prostitute called Kath- world. It's a great privilege to introduce an to have an internationalist programme.” leen. You see her at home, you see her on artist like Dinh Q Lê to an audience which is the streets with friends, you see her work- This “internationalist programme” will in- more or less completely unfamiliar with ing, and you see her with her husband and clude a major exhibition of Dan Flavin's flu- him.” children.” orescent light works in spring, as well as The Colony, a new video installation by Viet- Sensitive yet unsentimental, Mendelsohn's namese-American artist Dinh Q Lê that work gives an unflinchingly honest depic- opens alongside Varna Road. Commissioned Janet Mendelsohn's Varna Road and Dinh Q tion of her subject's world. As well as pic- in collaboration with Artangel, The Colony Lê's The Colony show at Ikon Gallery, tures of her soliciting passers-by from her takes as its subject Peru's Guano Islands, Birmingham, until Sunday 3 April

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Visual Arts

Maureen Cooper: Laura Lancaster Chance, Order, Change: What Remains The New Art Gallery, Walsall, Abstract Paintings Newman Brothers Coffin Works, Birmingham, until Sun 8 May 1939 - 1989 Wed 3 February - Thurs 28 April Drawing inspiration from forgotten The Barber Institute, Birmingham, Incorporating photographs, prints and and discarded photographs and home Tues 11 February - Sunday 8 May mixed-media sculptures, this fascinating movies, Laura Lancaster's expressive Spanning 50 key years in the evolution of exhibition sees Leicester-based artist paintings prompt reflections on mem- modern art, the dozen works in this exhibi- Maureen Cooper reflect on the grieving ory, loss and the passage of time. tion come from an important private collec- process. Divorced from their original contexts, tion, and are being publicly displayed She does so in the resonant setting of the once personal treasures she col- together for the first time at the Barber Birmingham's recently restored Coffin Works. lects from flea markets, charity shops Institute. Following a visit to the former coffin fittings and eBay are revitalised through her In a setting more commonly associated with factory in 2011, before restoration work work, taking on new meanings in the representational and impressionist paint- began, Cooper was inspired to create work space between figuration and abstrac- ings, this is a rare chance to encounter exploring themes of loss and memory. These tion. abstract art at its purest, showcasing impor- took on a personal dimension after the death This free exhibition brings together a tant work by some of the most influential of her mother in 2014. variety of Lancaster's works, includ- artists of the late 20th century. These include The exhibition’s title refers both to the physi- ing a new series of diptychs drawn Josef Albers, Bridget Riley, Victor Pasmore, cal remains of the building and those its from the first and last frames of found Ad Reinhardt and Sean Scully. coffins were produced for, and to the memo- super 8mm films, prompting reflec- Sean Scully, Red Painting, 1989 © Sean Scully ries left in people's minds of their loved ones tions on a lost medium as well as on and of the factory. Metal offcuts and other its subjects. artefacts from the production process are combined with wax, a material whose shape- shifting properties emphasise the idea of mutability and change.

New Art West Midlands Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Fri 12 February - Sun 15 May; mac, Birmingham, Sat 13 February - Sun 10 April; The Herbert Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Fri 26 February - Sun 24 April & Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 12 March - Sat 15 May

After attracting around 80,000 visitors last year, New Art West Midlands returns in 2016 to showcase more work by recent graduates from five West Midlands art schools. For the first time this year, mac Birmingham joins Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum to exhibit and celebrate the region's achievements in contemporary art. Selected by a panel of leading art world figures - including artists Sonia Boyce and John Stezaker and Head of Programme at ICA London Katharine Stout - the work on display offers insights into current trends and concerns in visual art, as well as providing a platform for the region's most promising new artists. Forty-three emerging talents exhibit their work, with a cash prize of £1000 available to five winners. Exhibition highlights include Laura Haycock's reclin- ing self-portraits - inspired by Velasquez's 17th-century oil paintings - Jack Marder's video installation on glut- tony in the modern age, and Matt Parker's The Imitation Archive. Developed in residency at the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park, this audio-visual installation traces the history of digital technology from Colossus to the Cloud.

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Wildlife Photographer Of The Year The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Fri 5 February - Sunday 10 April As part of an international tour spanning six continents, this globally renowned exhibition arrives in Coventry on loan from the National History Museum. Launched in 1965, Wildlife Photographer Of The Year is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, with this year's competition attracting over 42,000 entries from 96 different countries. The 100 award-winning photographs take visitors on a journey across seas, skies and sand dunes, the shots of breathtaking landscapes, fascinating animal behaviour and other awe- inspiring scenes from nature celebrating the huge diversity of life on planet earth. The Herbert invites visitors to get involved and explore Coventry's own wild side by tag- ging their nature photographs #WildCov on Twitter and Instagram.

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Events

Destination Space Family Show Thinktank, Birmingham, Mon 15 - Fri 19 February With British astronaut Tim Peake currently doing the nation proud on the International Space Station, this is a timely and topical show for youngsters to enjoy. A range of demonstrations and science experiments present children not only with the opportunity to learn about how rockets are built and launched, but also to find out what life is like for Tim and his fellow space travellers on the ISS. Not surprisingly, Thinktank is billing the show as a real out-of-this world experience.

History unveiled at Dinosaur Zoo Chinese New Year The Arcadian, Birmingham, Tamworth Castle Town Hall, Birmingham, Sun 7 February Tamworth Castle, Staffordshire, Sat 13 - Sun 14 February Sun 13 - Fri 19 February Small children and enormous dinosaurs are brought together in this hit show, here making a welcome return to the Midlands following its T- Rex-size success in previous years. And speaking of the T-Rex, this presentation is all about them. Youngsters can either marvel at them from a distance (well, at lifelike models of them anyway!) or get right up close to the ravenous reptiles by sitting in the ‘Danger Zone’ seats. If your child takes a while to build up enough courage to approach, not to Birmingham’s Southside district once again worry - there’s a meet-and-greet ses- plays host to the region’s biggest Chinese sion at the end of the 50-minute show. New Year celebrations (2016 is the year of the Red Monkey). Attractions include dragon dances, acrobatic displays, martial art demonstrations, street Education and entertainment is the package food, traditional market stalls and a fair- being offered to families visiting Tamworth ground. Castle this half-term holiday. “Each year, the Chinese New Year festivities The educational element is provided by bring thousands of new and returning visi- enjoying a walk around the castle, which fea- tors to Southside’s Chinatown,” says Julia tures displays that take visitors on a journey Chance, Southside BID manager. “Despite its from Saxon to Victorian times. Items from the continued and growing success, this year world famous Staffordshire Hoard are also the festival lost its funding from Birmingham available to view. City Council as part of the ongoing budget As for the entertainment, there are lots of cuts happening across the city. Despite this dragon-related activities to keep youngsters hit, spirits haven’t been dampened and the happily engaged - and hopefully to coax resi- entire Southside community has come dent dragon Ruby out of her hiding place... together to raise the much-needed funds to plug this gap.”

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whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Events 1.qxp_Layout 1 22/01/2016 16:15 Page 3

more events from around the region

Events

Classic Dirt Bike Show Telford International Centre, Shropshire, Sat 20 - Sun 21 February Appearances by off-road sports legends Nick Jefferies, Jim Aird, Wayne le Marquand and Barry Briggs are among the highlights at this attraction-packed show. The event also features traders and jumble sellers offering parts, pieces, spares, riding gear, clothing and accessories. Club stands and private entrants will be displaying a variety of classic bikes from numerous disci- plines, including road racing. New show sponsor Hagon Half-Term Holiday At Blists Hill Victorian Town Shocks plans to bring together rare Hagon bikes from across the Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire, wall with mini-bricks and colour in pictures decades, so anybody who owns Sat 13 - Sun 21 February of Victorian scenes. The venue’s drop-in ses- one is encouraged to get in The chance to print a hand-made Valentine’s sions take place from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to touch. card, have a go at candle dipping and make a 3.30pm, with activities varying from day to miniature roof tile are among the half-term day. Candles and roof tiles carry a small extra attractions at Blists Hill Victorian Town this charge in addition to the museum entrance month. There’s also the opportunity to find fee. out more about the history of sweets, build a

The Alternative & Princess And Pirate Week Burlesque Fair Alton Towers Theme Park, Staffordshire, Fri 12 - Sun 21 February Ancient Oceans O2 Institute, Birmingham, Sat 13 February There’s plenty of swashbuckling action to Sealife Centre, Birmingham, The Edwardian splendour of the 02 Institute enjoy at Alton Towers this half-term holiday. Sat 6 - Sun 21 February concert venue provides the backdrop for The popular Staffordshire visitor attraction is The Midlands has gone dinosaur Birmingham’s latest Alternative & Burlesque hosting an interactive live show featuring crazy this half-term holiday. Not Fair. Up to 60 exhibitors will be presenting Cook and Line from CBeebies’ Swashbuckle. only is there hit West End show their wares at the hugely popular event. The It’s also offering families the chance to visit Dinosaur Zoo to enjoy, there’s also show also features burlesque, twisted Sharkbait Reef, a pirate-themed aquarium. this National Sea Life Centre offer- cabaret, aerial acts, DJs, vintage dining, neo- Evening entertainment comes in the form of ing, providing youngsters with the Victorian clothing, accessories, jewellery and live shows, pirate and princess parties and chance to become dinosaur detec- artwork. character meet-and-greets. tives. Children are invited to complete a selection of challenges to February Half Term At earn a special certificate. In the process they’ll learn all about the Wedgwood fearsome creatures that lurked in World of Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent, the ancient oceans. The challenges Staffordshire, Sat 13 - Sun 21 February are accompanied by a host of The Wedgwood Museum’s First World War activities and talks to enjoy, with Peace Medallion provides the inspiration for visitors also able to explore the this popular venue’s special half-term activi- centre’s many fascinating displays. ty. Visitors are invited to make their very own Wedgwood Plaque, using the traditional method of applied ornamentation. Participants will be shown how to roll out the clay, cut it to shape and apply decoration, after which they can either take it straight home or leave it behind to have it fired.

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more events from around the region

Events

MCM Midlands Heritage Comic Con Weekend Telford Internaitonal Centre, Shropshire, Cadbury World, Birmingham, Sat 13 February Sat 27 - Sun 28 February The seventh Doctor Who, Sylvestor McCoy, is Cadbury World’s 14 chocolate- one of numerous celebrities making guest themed zones - including an appearances at this well-established show, 1824 full-scale replica of Bull which last year attracted in excess of 9,000 Street, location of the first ever visitors. The event features eSports competi- Cadbury shop - offer plenty of tions, a Comic Village packed with artists and reason to get yourself along to writers, and a wide range of popular-culture this latest Heritage Weekend. memorabilia, including games, anime, gadg- There’s also the chance to ets and toys. make a purchase or two in the World’s Biggest Cadbury Shop, as well as the opportunity to visit various other places of interest in the scenic Bournville Village.

Caravan, Camping & driver Terry Grant, drivers competing to jump Motorhome Show over a bed of cars (one’s going to attempt the feat with a caravan attached to the back of NEC, Birmingham, Tues 23 - Sun 28 February his vehicle!), and the guaranteed mayhem of Attracting huge crowds and promising to be the ever-popular car football. A funfair and ‘bigger and better than ever’, the Caravan, range of children’s entertainment ensures Camping & Motorhome Show features over there’s plenty to keep youngsters amused 350 exhibitors. As well as exploring all the and engaged if they fancy a break from latest products, the show also presents a watching the death-defying stunt action. Down Under Live packed programme of events, complete with National Motorcycle Museum, buying tips, cookery demonstrations, holiday Solihull, Sat 13 - Sun 14 advice and - back by popular demand, we’re Half Term at Coventry February told - live dog displays and expert advice on taking pets on holiday. New for 2016 is the Transport Museum If the thought of starting a new Glamping Village, presented at the show in Coventry Transport Museum, life in Australia or New Zealand conjunction with Visit Pembrokeshire. Sat 13 - Sun 21 February floats your boat, be sure to make There’s also the chance to marvel at the A journey through Coventry Transport the somewhat shorter journey to Guinness World Record-breaking Lego brick Museum begins with a look at the transport this hugely informative show. The caravan. industry's history. The story starts in the 19th two-day event features numerous century and ends with a Coventry-made specialist exhibitors, experts on black taxi (which you can hop inside to enjoy every aspect of the emigration a video tour of the city as it is today). Passing process, and a dedicated recruit- by work & leisure vehicles - including unique ment team who’ll help visitors items like a Sky Blues tour bus and a restored find their ideal job down under. 1916 Maudslay lorry - you'll discover the Innovation & Future area. Highlights include glimpses of modern car construction, a state- of-the-art driverless model and projects by local university students. There's also a glit- tering Jaguar room, the bright lights and sparkling floors of which complement the gleaming surfaces of the new F-Type and C- X75. Finally, there's the Supersonic section, Stunt Fest where you can choose from three simulations to enjoy. Half-term attractions at the museum Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton, Sat 20 February include Bristle Bugs - a chance for youngsters to create motorised creatures - and an A to Z This high-octane half-term event offers an trail of Coventry Transport’s impressive col- action-packed day of daredevil activity and See for all your lection. thelist monster truck magic. Attractions include a events listings presentation by world record-breaking stunt

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events 1.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 18:01 Page 6

Birmingham @WHATSONBRUM Wolverhampton @WHATSONWOLVES Shropshire @WHATSONSHROPS staffordshire @WHATSONSTAFFS Worcestershire @WHATSONWORCS warwickshire @WHATSONWARWICKS

whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Competitions February.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:09 Page 1

Win! To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Tickets to The Classic Dirt Bike Tickets to Horrible Histories Tickets to Into the Hoods Show Groovy Greeks (Remixed)

Closes Monday 8 February Closes Friday 11 March Closes Thursday 18 February Tickets to Hannah Wants Tickets Thriller Live Tickets to Impossible

Closes Friday 11 March Closes Friday 26 February Closes Friday 5 February Tickets to Miss Nightingale Tickets to Gangsta Granny Tickets to End Of The Rainbow

Closes Monday 1 February Closes Monday 8 February Closes Tuesday 16 February Tickets to The Diesel & Electric Tickets to Bring on the Tickets to Matthew Bourne's Show Bollywood Sleeping Beauty

Closes Monday 8 February Closes Friday 15 April Closes Monday 1 February Tickets to Avenue Q Tickets to Goodnight Mister Tom Tickets to Hamlet

Closes Tuesday 9 February Closes Monday 7 March Closes Thursday 24 March

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions

46 whatsonlive.co.uk Whats On Readers Awards Shortlist.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:58 Page 2

#culturematters Readers’ Awards #artsmatters

Award FINALISTS in each category announced! VOTE for your WINNER! Readers’ What’sOn Awards Yes, you VOTED in your thousands in the first round of nominations in the What’s On Readers’ Awards - over 8,500 votes to be precise! Now it’s time for you to VOTE once more to choose your ultimate WINNER in each category! Here are the award shortlist finalists:

THEATRE: Best Touring Play THEATRE: Best Pantomime In The l Motionhouse - Tigress Midlands 2015/16 l Rambert Dance Company - l Beautiful Thing Red Rooster l Curious Incident of the Dog l Aladdin - Birmingham Hippodrome l Rosie Kay Dance - 5 Soldiers: in the Night-Time l Beauty & The Beast - Belgrade Theatre The Body Is The Frontline l East is East l Cinderella - Barclaycard Arena l Scottish Dance Theatre - YAMA l Lord of the Flies l Dick Whittington - Theatre Severn l Vincent Dance Theatre: l One Man Two Guvnors l Jack & the Beanstalk -Lichfield Garrick 21 Years / 21 Works l The History Boys l Peter Pan - Grand Theatre W’hampton l Twelve Angry Men l Peter Pan - Regent Theatre, Hanley CLASSICAL (inc Opera): Best Production THEATRE: Best Touring Musical THEATRE: Best Amateur Dramatic/Operatic Group (West l BCMG: The Miracle Of the Rose l Annie Midlands) l Birmingham Opera - The Ice Break l Blood Brothers l CBSO at Symphony Hall l The Bodyguard l Bilston Operatic Company l Ex Cathedra - Christmas Music l Dirty Rotten Scoundrels l Bournville Musical Theatre Company By Candlelight l Guys and Dolls l Grange Players - Walsall l WNO - Sweeney Todd l Hairspray l Solihull Theatre Company l Shrek l Telford and District Light Operatic Best Midlands Arts/Cultural Players (TADLOP) Festivals THEATRE: Best Home-Produced l West Bromwich Operatic Society Show In The Midlands (WBOS) l Birmingham Weekender l Wolverhampton Musical Comedy l Birmingham Comedy Festival l Anita & Me - The REP Company (MUSCOM) l Birmingham Literature Festival l Beautiful Thing - The Curve l Fierce Festival l The Borrowers - New Vic Theatre DANCE: Best Production l Flatpack Festival l Crush - The Belgrade l Godiva Festival l The Lion, The Witch l Birmingham Royal Ballet - l Super Sonic Festival & The Wardrobe - The REP The Nutcracker l Wendy & Peter Pan - RSC l Matthew Bourne’s Edward Top Finalists Award - continued... l Treasure Island - Old Rep Scissorhands VOTE today at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Whats On Readers Awards Shortlist.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:58 Page 3

What’sOn Readers’ Awards - TOP

Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue l Chris Purchase l Goodnight Lenin (Large: 1000+ capacity) l Masai Graham l Rainbreakers l Barbara Nice l The Rooz l Alexandra Theatre - Birmingham l Andy White l The Twang l Belgrade Theatre - Coventry l Birmingham Hippodrome Best Midlands Music Venue Best Midlands Exhibition l Birmingham Rep (Large: 1000+ capacity) l Grand Theatre - Wolverhampton l The Story of Childrens Television - l The Regent - Hanley l Barclaycard Arena - Birmingham Herbert Art Gallery & Museum l RSC - Stratford-upon-Avon l Birmingham Town Hall l Enchanted Dreams - BMAG l Civic Hall - Wolverhampton l Love is Enough: William Morris and Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue l Genting Arena - Birmingham Andy Warhol - BMAG (Medium: 500-1000 capacity) l O2 Academy - Birmingham l New Art West Midlands Exhibition - Best Midlands Theatre/Arts Venue l O2 Institute - Birmingham mac, Herbert, BMAG & Wolves Art (Medium: 500 - 1000 capacity): l Symphony Hall - Birmingham Gallery l Pop Art - Wolverhampton Art Gallery l Arena Theatre - Wolverhampton Best Midlands Music Venue l Secret Egypt - Shrewsbury Museum l Artrix - Bromsgrove (Medium: 500 - 1000 capacity) & Art Gallery l Lichfield Garrick l Staffordshire Hoard - BMAG l mac - Birmingham l The Copper Rooms - Coventry l Malvern Theatre l Lichfield Garrick Best Birmingham Art Gallery/ l Theatre Severn - Shrewsbury l The Robin - Bilston Exhibition Venue l Warwick Arts Centre - Coventry l The Slade Rooms - Wolverhampton l Barber Institute Best Independent Cinema l mac - Birmingham l Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery l Warwick Arts Centre - Coventry l Centrala in Digbeth l Electric Cinema - Birmingham l Grand Union in Digbeth l Light House Media Centre - Best Midlands Music Festival l IKON Gallery Wolverhampton l mac - Birmingham l mac - Birmingham l Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival l Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City l Old Market Hall - Shrewsbury l Download Festival University l Warwick Arts Centre - Coventry l Fusion Festival l Stoke Film Theatre l Moseley Folk Festival Best Midlands Art Gallery/ l Regal - Evesham l Shrewsbury Folk Festival Exhibition Venue (outside l Slam Dunk Festival Birmingham) Best Midlands Comedian l V Festival l Compton Verney Gallery l Scott Bennett Best Midlands Live Band l Herbert Art Gallery - Coventry l Tom Binns l The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery - l James Cook l Bonfire Radicals

Best Regional Theatre/Arts Venue (Small - under 500 capacity)

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire l Blue Orange Theatre l Stourbridge Town Hall l Theatre on the Steps, l Prince of Wales l l l l Albany Theatre, C’try l Swan Theatre, l l l l The Crescent Theatre l Arena Theatre, W’ton l Bridgnorth l Centre, Cannock l Bear Pitt Theatre, l l l Worcester l The Drum l Newhampton Arts l l Wightman Theatre, l l Brewhouse Arts, l l l Stratford-upon-Avon l Palace Theatre, l l l l Old Joint Stock l Centre, W’ton l Shrewsbury l Burton-upon-Trent l Dream Factory, l l l l Redditch l Theatre l Forest Arts Centre, l l The Hive, Shrewsbury l Stafford Gatehouse l Warwick l Artrix, Bromsgrove l Old Rep l Walsall l Theatre Drayton, l l l Foxlowe Arts Centre, l Criterion Theatre, l l l Evesham Arts Centre l Mockingbird Theatre l Netherton Arts Centre, l Market Drayton l Leek l Coventry l No 8 Community Arts, l Dudley l Ludlow Assembly l l l Mitchell Arts Centre, l l Priory Theatre, l l l l Pershore l Rooms, Ludlow l Hanley, Stoke l Kenilworth Best Regional Live Music Venue (Small - under 500 capacity)

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire l The Oobleck, The l l l Katie Fitzgeralds, l Henry Tudor House l The Sugarmill, Stoke l Copper Rooms, l l l l Marr Barr, Worcester l Custard Factory l The Slade Rooms l Birchmeadow, l l l l Tamworth Assembly l l Coventry l Artrix, Bromsgrove l Hare & Hounds l The River Rooms, l Broseley l Rooms l Kasbah, Coventry l Huntingdon Hall, l l l Ort Cafe l Newhampton Arts l l l The Edge Arts Centre, l The Madhouse, l l l l The Tin Angel, l l l l Worcester l The Sunflower l l l l Centre l Much Wenlock l Burton-upon-Trent l Coventry l Swan Theatre, l l l l Lounge l Dudley Concert Hall l Walker Theatre l Brewhouse Arts, l l l The Arches, Coventry l Worcester l The Flapper l Stourbridge Town Hall l Havana Republic, l Burton-upon-Trent l Leamington Lamp, l l Palace Theatre, l l l l The Glee Club l The Brewery, Ludlow l Stafford Gatehouse l Leamington Spa l Redditch l Prince of Wales l l l l No 8 Community Arts, l Centre, Cannock l Pershore VOTE today at whatsonlive.co.uk 48 whatsonlive.co.uk Whats On Readers Awards Shortlist.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:58 Page 4

FINALISTS in each category

l Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery l Ludlow Food Festival l Telford Shopping Centre l New Art Gallery - Walsall l Moseley Folk Festival l Wolverhampton Art Gallery l Shrewsbury Folk Festival Best Sporting Event l Worcester Art Gallery & Museum l Aegon Classic Tennis Best Midlands' Food Festival l British Basketball League Best Midlands' Visitor Attraction l Birmingham Ind Food Festival Championships l Alton Towers l Foodies Festival - Birmingham l British Show Jumping National l Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery l Great British Food Festival Championship l Black Country Living Museum l Leamington Spa Food & Drink Festival l Horse of The Year Show l Cadbury World l Ludlow Food Festival l Rugby World Cup l Coventry Transport Museum l Shrewsbury Food Festival l Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix l Drayton Manor Park l Warwick Food Festival l Yonex All England Open Badmington l Ironbridge Gorge Museums Championships l Severn Valley Railway Best Midlands Street Food Event Best Midlands Nightclub l Brum Yum Yum - Kings Heath/ JQ Best Midlands Outdoor Event l Digbeth Dining Club - Birmingham l The Buttermarket - Shrewsbury l Blists Hill Victorian Christmas l Kings Heath Street Closure l Couture - Stafford l RAF Cosford Air Show l Flying Teapot Events at Sarehole Mill l Faces - Wolverhampton l Shrewsbury Flower Show l mac Food Market - Birmingham l The Nightingale - Birmingham l The Big Hoot - Birmingham l Taste & Liquor - Birmingham l Rainbow Venues in Digbeth l Frankfurt Christmas Market - B’ham Best Midlands Street Food Vendor Midlands Entertainment Best Midlands Indoor Event Personality of the Year Award l Andy's Low n Slow l Antiques For Everyone - NEC l Baked In Brick l Barbara Nice (Janice Connolly) l BBC Good Food Show l Bournville Waffle Company l Beverley Knight l Comic Con - Birmingham l Brum Yum Yum l Citizen Khan (Adil Ray) l Crufts - Birmingham l Buddha Belly l Alison Hammond l Grand Designs - Birmingham l Street Chef Peter l Joe Lycett l International Craft & Hobby Fair l The Vegan Grindhouse l Style Birmingham VOTE Best Midlands Retail Shopping Best Family-friendly/Community Centre NOW at Festival l Bullring - Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk l Birmingham Weekender l Grand Central - Birmingham l Fun Palaces Festival l Mailbox - Birmingham VOTING ENDS l Imagineer Festival l Merry Hill - Westfields - Brierley Hill 10 MARCH

Best Regional Visitor Attraction

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire l Birmingham l Dudley Zoo l Ironbridge Gorge l l l Trentham Estate l Herbert Art Gallery l Croome Park l Botancial Gardens l Black Country Living l Museums l National Memorial l l l Warwick Castle l Avoncroft Museum l Aston Hall l Museum l Attingham Park l Arboretum l Kenilworth Castle l The Elgar Birthplace l Cadbury World l Wightwick Manor & l l Stokesay Castle l The Potteries Museum l Compton Verney l Museum l Thinktank l Gardens l Hawkstone Park & l l & Art Gallery l Umberslade Farm l Croft Castle l Birmingham Library l RAF Cosford l Follies l Go Ape, Cannock l l l Coventry Transport l l Severn Valley Railway l Winterbourne House l Bantock House l Shrewsbury Museum l Chase Forest l Museum l Forge Mill Needle l l l Birmingham Museum l Dudley Canal & l l l & Art Gallery l Alton Towers l British Motor Museum l Museum l & Art Gallery l Tunnel Trust l Drayton Manor Best Independent Regional Restaurant

Birmingham Black Country Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire

l Sabai Sabai l Indigo Restaurant l Csons l The Orange Tree l Greyhound Inn l The Royal Oak, l l l Purnells l The Summerhouse, l l The King and Thai l The Swan with l l l l The Scullery l Evesham l Adams l Dudley l The Peach Tree l Two Necks l The Opposition Bistro l Pundits Fusion l Marco Pierre White at l Ann’s Thai l The Townhouse, l l l David’s Brasserie l Anthony’s, Nuneaton l Casa Med, l l l l l The Cube l Cafe Maxsim l Oswestry l Eastern Eye l Taylors, Warwick l Bromsgrove l Pushkar l Penn Cottage l Hundred House, l Baby Russets l The Black Star, l l l Turners l Miller & Carter l Shifnal l Southport-on-Severn l Maekong Thai, l l l Bromsgrove and choose your WINNER! whatsonlive.co.uk 49 NEC 2016 Spring A4:Layout 1 14/01/2016 11:52 Page 1

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Your week to week listings guide February 2016 thelist MissNightingale, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 9to Sat 13 February y

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

What’s On Mon 1 to Sun 7 Feb Mon 8 to Sun 14 Feb Mon 15 to Sun 21 Feb Mon 22 to Mon 29 Feb

Sarah Millican Miss Nightingale Richard Alston Triple Bill Lord of the Flies at Warwick Arts at Warwick Arts Centre at the Belgrade at Malvern Theatres Centre Wed 3 - Sat 6 February Tues 9 to Sat 13 February Tues 16 to Wed 17 February Tues 23 to Sat 27 February

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1-7 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:19 Page 1

thelist Monday 1 - Sunday 7 February THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY KELLY MARK: 108 LYTON AVE Opposite Visual Arts but asymmetrical roles performed by the artist for a split-screen projection, until Sun 3 Apr, Ikon Gallery, B’ham FITTING IN AND GETTING ALONG THROUGH THE SHOP WINDOW Discover Through personal stories, film and a what shopping was like in Royal selection of objects, this exhibition Leamington Spa from the 1880s to explores the life stories of members the 1980s, until Sun 17 Apr, of the Birmingham Polish community, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & until Wed 23 Mar, Birmingham Museum Museum & Art Gallery WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS JANET MENDELSOHN - VARNA ROAD An installation made up of many This exhibition, in collaboration with parts, from small jewels in frames to the University of Birmingham, fea- large, freestanding furniture, until tures original prints from Sun 22 May, Birmingham Museum & Mendelsohn’s archive of over 3,000 Art Gallery photographs, taken predominately in the Balsall Heath area of BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Sons Of Icarus, Sat 6 Feb, Asylum, Birmingham Birmingham, until Sun 3 Apr, Ikon IN 130 YEARS The story of the Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, told via a special anniversary exhibition, until Thurs CLUB PRESENTS: KELLY AUGUSTANA Sat 6 Feb, DINH Q LÊ Video installation, organ- 1 Sept, Birmingham Museum & Art OLIVER, RICHARD O2 Academy, ised in collaboration with Artangel, Gallery Gigs until Sun 3 Apr, Ikon Gallery, B’ham WALTERS & PHILIP Birmingham MURRAY WARSON Fri 5 RAVEN EYE Sat 6 Feb, NECK DEEP, STATE Feb, Fargo Village, Marr's Bar, Worcester CHAMPS, CREEPER & Coventry LIGHT YEARS Mon 1 'OLLY MURS & BRUNO CAPTAIN HORIZON Fri 5 Feb, O2 Institute, MARS' WITH ROBBIE Feb, The Asylum, Birmingham GLENN Sat 6 Feb, Birmingham Nailcote Hall, SOUL EXPLOSION Tues 2 THE CROOKES Fri 5 Feb, Berkswell, Feb, Belgrade Theatre, The Rainbow Venues, Warwickshire Coventry Birmingham THE KING OF POP Sat 6 HOZIER Tues 2 Feb, O2 HIGHGRADE - WE BLAZE Feb, The Swan Theatre Academy, Birmingham Fri 5 Feb, O2 Institute, Worcester BLACK STONE CHERRY, Birmingham JOSIENNE CLARKE & BEN SHINEDOWN AND MUSED (MUSE TRIBUTE) WALKER Sat 6 Feb, HALESTORM Tues 2 Feb, Fri 5 Feb, The River Kenilworth Castle Barclaycard Arena, Rooms, Stourbridge Birmingham EVOLVE PRESENTS ALEXANDER NICOLAS LUTZ & THE ELO EXPERIENCE ARMSTRONG: A YEAR OF FRANCESCO DEL GARDA Wed 3 Feb, Solihull SONGS LIVE Fri 5 Feb, Sat 6 Feb, Rainbow Arts Complex Symphony Hall, Venues, Birmingham TESSERACT Thurs 4 Birmingham SOLID GOLD COUNTRY Feb, O2 Institute, BOWLING FOR SOUP Sat LEGENDS Sat 6 Feb, Birmingham 6 Feb, O2 Academy, The Roses Theatre, TALON Thurs 4 Feb, Birmingham Tewkesbury Huntingdon Hall, PATSY CLINE & FRIENDS VILLAGERS Sun 7 Feb, Worcester Sat 6 Feb, Palace The Glee Club, THE CADILLAC THREE Theatre, Redditch Birmingham Thurs 4 Feb, O2 SAY WE CAN FLY Sat 6 GRETCHEN PETERS Sun Institute, Birmingham Feb, O2 Institute, 7 Feb, Malvern JACK JONES Fri 5 Feb, Birmingham Theatres, Malvern Birmingham Town Hall THINK FLOYD Sat 6 Feb, GAZ BROOKFIELD Sun 7 CRAIG OGDEN Fri 5 Feb, Evesham Arts Centre, Feb, The Marr's Bar, Artrix, Bromsgrove Worcestershire Worcester FOREVER JACKSON Fri 5 OYE SANTANA Sat 6 Feb, YOUNG DRUMMER OF Feb, The Roses Huntingdon Hall, THE YEAR 2016 Sun 7 Theatre, Tewkesbury Worcester Feb, Royal Spa Centre, BROADWAY AND BEYOND SONS OF ICARUS Sat 6 Leamington Spa Fri 5 Feb, Bedworth Feb, Asylum, MARTIN MARTEL Sun 7 Civic Hall, Bedworth Birmingham Feb, The Tin Music VO FLETCHER Fri 5 Feb, And Arts, Coventry Gerard Byrne: Palace Theatre, Redditch 1/125 of a Second THE WINERY DOGS Fri 5 Feb, O2 Institute, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, until Sat 12 March Birmingham The means by which the present can be understood through a revisiting BRYAN ADAMS of the past is explored in the work of Irish artist Gerard Byrne. EXPERIENCE Fri 5 Feb, Byrne, who utilised photography, video and live art, is renowned for his The Marr's Bar, film installations, which re-enact conversations from specific historic Worcester moments. LETS TWIST AGAIN Fri 5 This latest exhibition centres on the world premiere of a new film by the Feb, Palace Theatre, artist, during the course of which he stages a confrontation between the Redditch photographic image and the forms of representation that is supplanted. THE BIG COMFY FOLK Bowling For Soup, Sat 6 Feb, )2 Academy, Birmingham

52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1-7 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:19 Page 2

Monday 1 - Sunday 7 February

and Parry, whose glorious anthem DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Classical Music was written for the coronation of King Theatre to the RSC to direct Marlowe's notori- Edward VII, Sun 7 Feb, Birmingham ous tale of vanity, greed and damna- Town Hall tion, Thurs 4 Feb - Thurs 4 Aug, The CRAIG OGDEN Classic FM celebrity THE SISTERHOOD Ranjit Bolt’s brilliant- Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon guitarist Craig Ogden is here joined Comedy Gigs ly funny adaptation of Molière’s clas- BROADWAY & BEYOND Song & dance by the region’s best chamber sic satire, Les Femmes Savantes, from a century of Broadway musi- orchestra for a performance of until Sat 20 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, cals, Fri 5 Feb, Bedworth Civic Hall Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto alongside- RICHARD HERRING Wed 3 Feb, Station Coventry works by Puccini, Guiliani and LEARNED FRIENDS Barrister-turned- Pub, Sutton Coldfield THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre pres- Edinburgh Fringe writer and per- Respighi, Wed 3 Feb, Huntingdon ent a fully masked performance of a Hall, Worcester LEE NELSON Wed 3 Feb, The Old Rep former Ginny Davis echoes Twelve Theatre, Birmingham Swinging 60s story of unconditional Angry Men and TV's Silk in a grip- love, Tues 2 Feb, Roses Theatre, ping robing room drama, Fri 5 Feb, SARAH MILLICAN Wed 3 - Sat 6 Feb, Tewkesbury Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry The Hive, Worcester THE SOUND OF MUSIC Lucy O’Byrne & FREEZIN’ Fizzog Productions present Gray O’Brien star in a brand new a Black Country panto set in 1910, production of the timeless family Fri 5 Feb, Swan Theatre, Worcester classic, Tues 2 - Sat 6 Feb, Malvern Theatres LET’S TWIST AGAIN High-octane musical featuring music from the 50s and 60s, Fri 5 Feb, Palace Theatre, Redditch THE BEST THING Vamos Theatre present a fully masked performance of a Swinging 60s story of unconditional love, Sat 6 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove CBSO BAIBA SKRIDE: SZYMANOWSKI Featuring Olari Elts (conductor) and IGGLE PIGGLE & UPSY DAISY A profes- Baiba Skride (violin). Programme sional storyteller shares stories and includes work by Mendelssohn, songs from the much-loved chil- Szymanowski and Shostakovich, dren’s characters, Sat 6 Feb, Palace Thurs 4 Feb, Symphony Hall, Theatre, Redditch Birmingham DAVE'S LEICESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL GRANNY’S ATTIC The first in a new The festival’s 23rd year is set to be season of plays from STAC CRAIG OGDEN Programme includes AN INSPECTOR CALLS National Theatre its most diverse and inventive yet, Children’s Theatre, Sat 6 Feb, Swan works by D Scarlatti, Tippett, Bach, production of JB Priestley’s classic making Dave’s Leicester Comedy Theatre, Worcester David Knotts, Ginastera, Fri 5 Feb, thriller, Tues 2 - Sat 6 Feb, Festival the ideal destination for the Artrix, Bromsgrove Wolverhampton Grand Theatre DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE The Crescent seasoned comedy fan or someone TENORS UN LIMITED: SONGS FROM Theatre Company presents a staging just looking for a great night out, THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER Jack VENICE TO VEGAS Fri 5 Feb, Malvern of Robert Louis Stevenson's timeless Wed 3 - Sun 21 Feb, Leicester City Thorne's critically acclaimed play Theatres, Worcestershire classic, Sat 6 - Sat 13 Feb, Crescent Centre offers a candid, intimate and tender Theatre, Birmingham AN EVENING OF MUSIC AND DANCE portrait of loss, hurt and recovery, SEAN LOCK Thurs 4 Feb, Palace WITH BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET Tues 2 - Sat 6 Feb, The REP, Theatre, Redditch Birmingham Royal Ballet and its Birmingham ROMESH RANGANATHAN Thurs 4 Feb, acclaimed orchestra, the Royal Ballet SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK: THE The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Dance Sinfonia, return to Symphony Hall for ROD STEWART STORY Brand new the- an evening of spectacular music and atrical production celebrating the dance, Sat 6 Feb, Symphony Hall, career of one of rock’s great icons, BROKEN An adrenaline-filled spectacle Birmingham Wed 3 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, from Leamington-based dance Coventry troupe Motionhouse, Thurs 4 - Fri 5 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry THE ROADLESS TRIP A fusion of performance, film and Saturday night- style gameshow, this is a show which promises to lift you up even when you’re broken down, Wed 3 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry POCKET DREAM Propeller present a 60-minute adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's VENICE: THE DOGE'S CORONATION Dream, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Feb, Belgrade Inspired by the majestic coronation Theatre, Coventry ceremonies of 16th century Venice, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Charitable this is a new programme from ADAM BLOOM, KEVIN MCGAHERN & pantomime production presented by Armonico Consort. Experience the COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY PwC as part of its Community Affairs 16-part ‘surround sound’ polychoral ROBINSON Thurs 4 Feb, The Glee programme, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Feb, works of Gabrieli, alongside some of Club, Birmingham New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham his simpler motets, Sat 6 Feb, JO ENRIGHT, ADAM BLOOM, ANDY ALICE IN WONDERLAND The Phoenix SALAAM Sonia Sabri Company pres- Malvern Theatres, Worcestershire ROBINSON & KEVIN MCGAHERN Fri 5 - Players present their version of Lewis ent a double bill of work which clev- CBSO FAMILY FILM FAVOURITES Sat 6 Feb, The Glee Club, Carroll’s magical tale, Thurs 4 - Sun erly weaves a dialogue between live Featuring Alasdair Malloy (presenter) Birmingham 7 Feb, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford- music & Kathak dance to celebrate harmony, inner-stillness and the sim- and City of Birmingham Symphony JENNY ECLAIR Sat 6 Feb, Royal Spa upon-Avon ple bliss of being alive, Thurs 4 Feb, Orchestra. Programme includes Centre, Leamington Spa OF MICE AND MEN Roxana Silbert The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham soundtracks from Star Wars, Toy ALFIE MOORE, JUNIOR SIMPSON, directs John Steinbeck's classic DANCE EVOLUTION 2016 Showcase of Story, Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, ANTHONY J BROWN & JAMES FARMER story, Thurs 4 - Sat 13 Feb, The REP, work from On Your Toes Dance Shrek, Despicable Me, Frozen, The Sat 6 Feb, Coventry Showcase Birmingham Lego Movie and more, Sun 7 Feb, Academy, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Feb, Albany Symphony Hall, Birmingham KEITH FARNAN, SEAN PERCIVAL, ROMEO AND JULIET Blue Orange Arts Theatre, Coventry ANTHONY KING & STEVE N ALLEN, Sat 6 present Shakespeare's classic EX CATHEDRA, I WAS GLAD AN EVENING OF MUSIC & DANCE WITH A concert of Feb, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton romantic tragedy, Thurs 4 - Sat 13 magnificent 20th century music for Feb, The Blue Orange Theatre, BRB Compered by David Bintley, Sat GARY DELANEY Sun 7 Feb, The Glee choir and organ, including master- Birmingham 6 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham pieces by Leighton, Walton, Janácek Club, Birmingham

whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List 1-7 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:19 Page 3

February 2016 BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

Saturday 6th February Thursday 11th February Saturday 13th February THE BEST THING FAY HIELD CHRIS & PUI LATEST PRODUCTION FROM NEW ALBUM ‘OLD ADAM’ CBEEBIES FAVOURITES VAMOS TOUR RETURN TO ARTRIX

Saturday 13th February Thursday 18th February Saturday 20th February WILLE & THE RORY MCGRATH ATOMIC BLONDIE & BANDITS RORY REMEMBERS THE BOWIE FANTASTIC BLUES-ROCK (OR IS IT FORGETS?) EXPERIENCE TRIO TWO ICONS IN ONE NIGHT

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Carol (15) // By The Sea (12A) // The Good Dinosaur (PG) // The Danish Girl (15) // Suffragette (12A) Frozen Singalong (PG) // In The Heart Of The Sea (12A)

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: La Traviata (ROH Live) // As You Like It (NT Live) // The Car Man (Matthew Bourne) // Giselle (Royal Ballet Live) Frankenstein (Royal Ballet Live) // Hamlet (RSC Live)

Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1-7 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:19 Page 4

thelist Monday 1 - Sunday 7 February however, she must choose between Film two countries and the lives that exist Events Visual Arts within. Stars Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson. Fri 5 Feb - Thurs INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: 11, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF INDELIBLE MARKS: THE DRESDEN STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (12a) Spa BLAKESLEY HALL Experience one of PROJECT BY MONICA PETZAL Marking Birmingham’s finest timber-framed The seventh Star Wars epic takes up BY THE SEA (15) Drama set in France the 75th anniversary of the Coventry buildings and get a unique insight where Return Of The Jedi left off, in the 1970s about a married couple, Blitz and the 70th anniversary of the into the people who lived and albeit with a 30-year gap. Our new going through a difficult period, who Dresden bombings, Indelible Marks worked there, Mon 1 - Thurs 11 Feb, protagonist is Finn (John Boyega), a stay at a hotel in a small seaside connects Coventry with its twinned Blakesley Hall, Birmingham First Order stormtrooper who’s resort. Stars Brad Pitt & Angelina city and shares their wartime experi- redeemed himself and takes up the Jolie. Fri 5 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove; WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF SAREHOLE ences, until Sun 7 Feb, Herbert Art lightsabre from Luke Skywalker. Also Fri 5 Feb, mac, Birmingham MILL Taking place on a Wednesday Gallery & Museum, Coventry stars Harrison Ford & Mark Hamill. and Thursday, explore the idyllic THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18) Tarantino’s Until Thurs 4 Feb, Roses Theatre, childhood haunt of JRR Tolkien, Mon long-awaited re-imagining of The Tewkesbury; 1 - Thurs 11 Feb, Sarehole Mill, Magnificent Seven, with less clean- Birmingham JOY (12a) That’s ‘Joy’ as in ‘Joy cut protagonists. Set in post-Civil Mangano’, the remarkable woman War Wyoming, the film features eight FAMILY FUN CIRCUS A full programme who founded a business empire after disparate bounty hunters who take of indoor entertainment, with circus- inventing the Miracle Mop. Stars refuge at a stagecoach stopover dur- skill workshops and shows, Mon 1 - Jennifer Lawrence & Robert De Niro. ing a blizzard. Stars Samuel L Mon 29 Feb, Hatton Adventure Mon 1 - Thurs 4 Feb, Warwick Arts Jackson & Kurt Russell. Fri 5 - Thurs World, Warwickshire Centre, Coventry 11 Feb, mac, Birmingham; Fri 5 - ANNE HATHAWAY'S YOUNG MAN Learn PRIDE (15) The true story of how a Thurs 11 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, about Anne Hathaway and William group of lesbian and gay activists Coventry Shakespeare's first few years as joined forces with a small Welsh min- THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (U) newly-weds, Mon 1 Feb - Sat 17 Dec, ing community in 1984, supporting Swashbuckling magic from Anne Hathaway's Cottage & them during their darkest hour. Tues Nottinghamshire’s most famous son, Gardens, Stratford-upon-Avon 2 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove a folk hero who took from the rich BIG COMFY BOOK SHOP PRESENTS - LE MÉPRIS (15) Screenwriter Paul and gave to the poor. Stars Errol HARRY POTTER BOOK NIGHT A night of Javal's marriage to his wife disinte- Flynn & Olivia de Havilland. Sat 6 potions and spells, Thurs 4 Feb, 75 YEARS: JOHN PIPER AND GUSTAV grates during a movie production as Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Fargo Village, Coventry MEZGER John Piper's iconic paintings she spends time with the producer. THE LADY IN THE VAN (12a) Inspired by FACETS - ANNA FRANCIS Thurs 4 Feb, of the ruins of Coventry Cathedral on Stars Brigitte Bardot & Michel Piccoli. the true story of a homeless woman Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, the morning after the Blitz, together Mon 1 - Tues 2 Feb, Warwick Arts who moved into a Bedford van in the Coventry with a newly commissioned work Centre, Coventry; Tues 2 - Wed 3 drive of Alan Bennett’s Camden from Gustav Metzger which explores EARLY YEARS PLAY DAYS Inspiring and Feb, mac, Birmingham home. Stars Maggie Smith & Alex the bombing of Coventry and the sensory materials allow children to CAROL (15) Drama set in the 1950s Jennings. Sat 6 - Sun 7 Feb, German city of Munster in the explore, and help their development about the relationship between a Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Second World War, until Sun 7 Feb, through play, Thurs 4 - Fri 5 Feb, shop girl and a glamorous older Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, IN THE HEART OF THE SEA (12a) A his- Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, woman. Wed 3 Feb, Artrix, Coventry torical seafaring tale in which a Coventry Bromsgrove whaler and its crew encounter a OLD WIVES’ TALES: MIGRATION EXCALIBUR PAPER CRAFTING FAIR TANGERINE (15) Sin-Dee-Rella, recent- huge white sperm whale. Stars Chris JOURNEYS OF BANGLADESHI WOMEN TO Featuring crafting supplies from lead- ly released from a short spell in Hemsworth & Benjamin Walker. Sun THE UK Photographic exhibition which ing craft companies from around the prison, is outraged that her boyfriend 7 - Tues 9 Feb, Roses Theatre, gives a unique insight into the lives UK, Sat 6 Feb, National Motorcycle has been sleeping around and looks Tewkesbury of young Bangladeshi women who Museum, Solihull to take revenge. The story unfolds came to Birmingham between the over the course of one festive night X-RUNNER WINTER WARRIOR 2016 1960s and 1980s, until Sun 7 Feb, in LA, with two non-professional NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Winter Warrior mud run including a Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery variety of challenging obstacles in transgender actors and shot entirely Released Fri 5 Feb, showing at MAUREEN SULLIVAN – ‘WINTER LIGHT’ either 5k or 10k format, Sat 6 Feb, on two iPhones. Thurs 4 Feb, selected cinemas. Stained glass creations, until Wed 17 Donington Park Racing Circuit, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry DAD’S ARMY (tbc) Feb, Number 8, Pershore, Worcs Castle Donington BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL GOOSEBUMPS (PG) ENCHANTED DREAMS The first ever SNOWDROP WEEKEND The opportunity WORLD TOUR (tbc) Experience an exhibition to be dedicated to Pre- RAMS (15) to walk round the gardens and evening of extraordinary short films Raphaelite artist Edward Robert admire more than 80 varieties of from the world's most prestigious TRUMBO (15) Hughes, until Sun 21 Feb, snowdrop, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Feb, Hill mountain film festival. See amazing POINT BREAK (12a) Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery footage of adrenaline-packed action Close Gardens, Warwick LEE SCRATCH PERRY'S VISION OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR sports and be inspired by thought- PANTOMIME WEEKENDS Enjoy classic PARADISE (tbc) 2015 Featuring 100 amazing images, provoking pieces shot from the far- panto fun with Princess Aurora and from fascinating animal behaviour to flung corners of the globe. Fri 5 Feb, TAKING STOCK (tbc) friends in Sleeping Beauty And The breathtaking wild landscapes, Fri 5 Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa MISS HOKUSAI (12a) Chuckle Bean Fairy, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Feb - Sun 10 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery Feb, Cadbury World, Birmingham BROOKLYN (12A) An Irish immigrant THE AMERICAN DREAMER (tbc) & Museum, Coventry lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she WAKING THE WINDMILL See Film section for previews on p40 The Museum’s quickly falls into a new romance. windmill will be sailed for the first When her past catches up with her, time in 2016, Sun 7 Feb, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL Birmingham’s Southside plays host to the city’s Chinese New Year celebrations and welcomes in the Year of the Monkey, Sun 7 Feb, Arcadian Centre, Birmingham MODEL TRACTOR, PLANT & CONSTRUCTION SHOW A major exhibition for all tractor, truck, plant & construction machinery enthusiasts, Sun 7 Feb, Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa

whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 8-14 Feb - WARKS/WORC FINAL MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:20 Page 1

thelist Monday 8 - Sunday 14 February Classical Music Comedy Gigs

LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH STEWART LEE Tues 9 Feb, Warwick THOMAS TROTTER Mon 8 Feb, Arts Centre, Coventry Birmingham Town Hall STEPHEN K. AMOS Wed 10 Feb, The COULL QUARTET: INTIMATE VOICES Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Programme includes works by LEE NELSON Thurs 11 Feb, Royal Spa Haydn, Beethoven and Sibelius, Wed Centre, Leamington Spa 10 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry MARK STEEL Thurs 11 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BEETHOVEN PIANO CONCERTOS 2,3 AND 4 Featuring Rudolf Buchbinder (con- DAVID O'DOHERTY Fri 12 Feb, Stratford ductor/piano), Wed 10 Feb, Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Symphony Hall, Birmingham STEPHEN K. AMOS Fri 12 Feb, Warwick DAN TEPFER: GOLDBERG Arts Centre, Coventry Little Simz, Mon 8 Feb, O2 Academy, Birmingham VARIATIONS/VARIATIONS Talented young pianist Dan Tepfer performs Royal Spa Centre, Centre, Worcestershire his interpretation of Bach’s master- Gigs Leamington Spa HOWARD JONES Sat 13 piece, Wed 10 Feb, Symphony Hall, THE WORLD IS A Feb, Huntingdon Hall, Birmingham BEAUTIFUL PLACE & I AM Worcester LITTLE SIMZ Mon 8 Feb, MARIA JOAO PIRES IN RECITAL NO LONGER AFRAID TO O2 Academy, GRIMETHORPE COLLIERY Programme includes works by DIE Fri 12 Feb, O2 Birmingham BAND Sat 13 Feb, Royal Debussy, Mozart & Schubert, Thurs Institute, Birmingham Spa Centre, 11 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall THE FRONT BOTTOMS THE KERRANG! TOUR Fri Leamington Spa Mon 8 Feb, O2 MOZART, HIS FRIENDS, ADMIRERS & 12 Feb, O2 Institute, Institute, Birmingham KODO ONE EARTH TOUR RIVALS... FLUTE & HORN CONCERTOS Birmingham 2016: MYSTERY Sat 13 Featuring Diane Clark (flute), THE GAME Mon 8 Feb, ANYA PULVER Fri 12 Feb, Warwick Arts Francesca Moore-Bridger (horn) and O2 Academy, Feb, The Marr's Bar, Centre David Curtis (conductor). Birmingham Programme includes works by Worcester THE LOL GOODMAN BAND THE COMPOZERS Mon 8 Michael Haydn, Mozart and Haydn, THE SUPERSONIC 70S Sat 13 Feb, The Marr's ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri 12 Feb, Feb, O2 Institute, Fri 12 Feb, Number 8 Community SHOW Fri 12 Feb, Bar, Worcester Bedworth Civic Hall Birmingham Arts Centre, Pershore Palace Theatre, HEART & SOUL PARTY TONY LAW Sat 13 Feb, Royal Spa VALENTINE'S ELEVENSES MARIA JOAO PIRES & MILOS POPOVIC IN Redditch WITH HARRY CAMBRIDGE Centre, Leamington Spa Wed 10 Feb, Palace RECITAL Programme features the SYMPHONIC FLOYD FEA- Sat 13 Feb, Nailcote Theatre, Redditch works of Schubert & Beethoven, Fri PAUL MCCAFFREY, DAMIAN CLARK, TURING THE EN SUITE Hall, Berkswell, 12 Feb, Birmingham Town Hall DAVID WHITNEY & JOLLYBOAT Sat 13 FAY HIELD Thurs 11 ELECTRIC BAND Fri 12 Warwickshire Feb, Coventry Showcase Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove BEETHOVEN PIANO CONCERTOS 1 AND 5 Feb, Symphony Hall, JOHNNY CASH In this second instalment of his BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT - ACTS JOE JACKSON Thurs 11 Birmingham ROADSHOW Sat 13 Feb, Birmingham Beethoven cycle, con- TBC Sat 13 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove Feb, O2 Institute, INFERNO! Fri 12 Feb, The Swan Theatre, ductor/pianist Rudolf Buchbinder Birmingham Adrian Boult Hall, Worcester tackles the mighty Emperor concerto Birmingham RICK WAKEMAN Thurs BEAST AND itself: music without limits, performed 11 Feb, Solihull Arts THE FOOD FIGHTERZ Fri SOUNDKITCHEN PRES- with supreme understanding by a liv- Theatre Complex 12 Feb, The River ENT: BEASTDOME PANTRY ing legend amongst pianists, Sat 13 Rooms, Stourbridge SESSIONS Sat 13 - Sun Feb, Symphony Hall, B’ham THE SISTERHOOD Ranjit Bolt’s brilliant- 14 Feb, Bramall Music ALL TIME LOW Sat 13 CBSO BENEVOLENT FUND CONCERT ly funny adaptation of Molière’s clas- Building, Birmingham Feb, Barclaycard Featuring City of Birmingham sic satire, Les Femmes Savantes, Arena, Birmingham GABRIELLE APLIN Sun Symphony Orchestra, John Wilson until Sat 20 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, WHOLE LOTTA LED Sat 14 Feb, O2 Institute, (conductor) and Valeriy Sokolov (vio- Coventry 13 Feb, The Assembly, Birmingham lin). Programme includes works by Leamington PAUL EDWARDS Sun 14 Nicolai, Bruch and Elgar, Sun 14 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham THAT'LL BE THE DAY Sat Feb, Artrix, 13 Feb, Bedworth Civic Bromsgrove ENSEMBLE 360 ALL SCHUBERT CONCERT Hall, Warwickshire 'MOTOWN' LEGENDS Featuring Naomi Atherton (horn), WILLE & THE BANDITS ROMANTIC PARTY WITH Amy Harman (bassoon) and Benjamin Nabarro (violin). Sat 13 Feb, Artrix, SOUL LEGEND Sun 14 Programme includes works by Bromsgrove Feb, Nailcote Hall, CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. Berkswell, Schubert, Sun 14 Feb, Royal Spa SONATA FALL Thurs 11 Warwickshire Centre, Leamington Spa DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Feb, O2 Academy, SANCHEZ & ROMAIN to the RSC to direct Marlowe's notori- Birmingham VIRGO - THE 2016 ous tale of vanity, greed and damna- REGGAE VALENTINE BLOSSOMS Thurs 11 tion, Thurs 4 Feb - Thurs 4 Aug, The AFFAIR Sun 14 Feb, O2 Feb, The Assembly, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Leamington Spa Academy, Birmingham PRIVATE LIVES Tom Chambers and GORDIE MACKEEMAN & ROY ORBISON AND Charlotte Ritchie star in a major HIS RHYTHM BOYS Sun FRIENDS Fri 12 Feb, revival of Noël Coward's hilarious 14 Feb, The Fleece Inn, Solihull Arts Complex masterpiece, Mon 8 - Sat 13 Feb, Evesham SLIPKNOT Fri 12 Feb, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham WARWICK FUSED V: Genting Arena, THE CROWS PLUCKED YOUR SINEWS WHERE THERE IS LOVE Birmingham Based on real events and featuring GOGO PENGUIN Sat 13 THERE IS LIFE Sun 14 NME AWARDS TOUR 2016 the epic lyrical tradition of Somalia, Feb, Warwick Arts Feb, Warwick Arts Fri 12 Feb, O2 Hassan Mahamdallie's play presents Centre, Coventry Centre, Coventry Academy, Birmingham a unique exploration of the violence OTWAY/BARRETT: THE of empire and the poetry of resist- GERRY CROSS THE FINAL STRAW Sat 13 ance. This one-man show is per- MERSEY Fri 12 Feb, Feb, Evesham Arts

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 8-14 Feb - WARKS/WORC FINAL MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:20 Page 2

Monday 8 - Sunday 14 February

formed by Yusra Warsama, Tues 9 - GREEN ZONE (15) Georg Löfflmann, Thurs 11 Feb, The REP, Birmingham Dance Film professor in Politics, here takes a MISS NIGHTINGALE THE MUSICAL closer look at the political role of Matthew Bugg's critically acclaimed Hollywood - from Sands Of Iwo Jima musical brings the on-stage glamour SLEEPING BEAUTY Matthew Bourne’s SUNSET SONG (15) Many consider to Independence Day and Star Wars and off-stage affairs of war-torn ‘gothic tale for all ages’, Tues 9 - Sat Terence Davies to be one of our - and how films shape our perception London to life, Tues 9 - Sat 13 Feb, 13 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome finest directors, so a new film of his of violent conflict. The presentation Belgrade Theatre, Coventry is always something of an event. includes a complete screening of Here he’s adapted Lewis Grassic Paul Greengrass’s Green Zone. Sat Gibbon's classic 1932 novel about a 13 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, farmer’s daughter who comes of age Coventry in the years immediately prior to the SNOOPY & CHARLIE BROWN - THE First World War. Stars Agyness Deyn PEANUTS MOVIE (U) Snoopy embarks & Peter Mullan. Mon 8 - Tues 9 & upon his greatest mission as he and Thurs 11 Feb, Roses Theatre, his team take to the skies to pursue Tewkesbury their arch-nemesis. Meanwhile, his BY THE SEA (15) Drama set in France best pal Charlie Brown begins his in the 1970s about a married couple, own epic quest back home to win SLEEPING BEAUTY Russian State Ballet going through a difficult period, who the love of his life. Sat 13 - Thurs 18 presents its version of the classic stay at a hotel in a small seaside Feb, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury; story of love and innocence, mystery resort. Stars Brad Pitt & Angelina THE DANISH GIRL (15) Period drama, and magic, set to Tchaikovsky's sub- Jolie. Tues 9 - Wed 10 Feb, Artrix, based on the novel by David lime score, Tue 9 Feb, Malvern Bromsgrove Ebershoff, about an early recipient of Theatres CLOSER TO THE MOON (12a) This darkly gender reassignment surgery in the SWAN LAKE Russian State Ballet pres- comic crime caper tells the story of a early 1930s. Stars Eddie Redmayne ents its version of the greatest group of Jewish World War Two & Alicia Vikander. Sat 13 Feb, Roses JERSEY BOYS The Tony, Olivier and romantic ballet of all time, brought to resistance members who, as an act Theatre, Tewkesbury Grammy Award-winning musical life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and of protest, attempt to rob the charts the rise to stardom of one of unforgettable score, Wed 10 Feb, Romanian National Bank. Stars Vera the most successful bands in pop Malvern Theatres Farmiga & Mark Strong. Thurs 11 - music history, Tues 9 - Sat 20 Feb, COAL Gary Clarke Company present Fri 12 Feb, Roses Theatre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre an emotional, moving and ever-rele- Tewkesbury BUGSY MALONE Amateur production vant exploration of community, soli- JOY (12a) That’s ‘Joy’ as in ‘Joy presented by Finham Park School, darity and survival, Thurs 11 - Sat 13 Mangano’, the remarkable woman Thurs 11 - Fri 12 Feb, Albany Feb, DanceXchange, Birmingham who founded a business empire after Theatre, Coventry Hippodrome inventing the Miracle Mop. Stars FIFTY SHADES OF BEIGE A poignant THE SNOW MAIDEN Based on a tradi- Jennifer Lawrence & Robert De Niro. but uplifting comedy from All & tional folk tale and set in the snow- Fri 12 - Tues 16 Feb, Roses Theatre, Sundry, Thurs 11 - Sat 13 Feb, covered landscape of rural Russia, Tewkesbury; Fri 12 - Thu 18 Feb, Palace Theatre, Redditch this seasonal sparkler follows the mac, Birmingham ALI BABA & THE FOUR TEA THIEVES Snow Maiden as she dances into the SPOTLIGHT (15) The spotlight is on Harlequinade present a pantomime human world. Presented by the Catholic priests in Boston back in with a difference, Fri 12 - Sat 13 Feb, Russian State Ballet, Thurs 11 - Fri 2001. ‘Spotlight’ was the name of a 12 Feb, Malvern Theatres special investigative unit within The CASABLANCA (PG) The story of a Solihull Arts Complex nightclub owner who must choose NEVER GOING HOME AGAIN Boston Globe, and this film reveals BEYOND THE BARRICADE A show that A new work between his love for his old flame by Rutherford Dance Company more about the mechanics of top-tier recreates West End/Broadway hit American journalism than it does and helping her Czech Resistance songs, Sat 13 Feb, Palace Theatre, which investigates the differences leader husband escape Casablanca defined by sexual orientation and about the corruption of the Catholic Redditch church. Stars Mark Ruffalo & Michael to continue his fight against the communities, Fri 12 Feb, Artrix, Nazis. Stars Humphrey Bogart & THAT'LL BE THE DAY A musical romp Bromsgrove Keaton. Fri 12 - Thurs 18 Feb, through the youthful days of Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Ingrid Bergman. Sun 14 Feb, Royal Rock’n’Roll in the ’50s, on through THE NUTCRACKER The Russian State Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Ballet presents its version of one of ROOM (15) Bed, lamp, skylight, rug… the Swinging ’60s and into the taste- These are the things that five-year- THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG) An animated free days of the 1970s, Sat 13 Feb, Tchaikovsky’s most famous composi- adventure about a dinosaur who tions, Sat 13 Feb, Malvern Theatres old Jack’s physical world are com- Bedworth Civic Hall prised of. He may have been trapped finds himself lost in the wilderness - FIRST STAGES: CINDER-ELLA Krazy Kat in an 11-square-foot room since his and who must face his fears in order fuse imaginative storytelling, sign lan- birth, but he doesn’t see it that way, to find his way back home. Sun 14 - guage and visual storytelling in a as the world outside the room Wed 18 Feb, Royal Spa Centre, production for younger audiences. doesn’t exist for him. Stars Brie Leamington Spa Recommended for children aged Larson & Jacob Tremblay. Fri 12 - three-plus, Sat 13 Feb, The REP, Thu 18 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Birmingham Coventry Released Fri 12 Feb, showing at THIS ENCHANTED EVENING An evening selected cinemas. of Broadway and West End classics, raising money for St James's Place ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE ROAD Foundation and supported by major CHIP (U) companies from across the A BIGGER SPLASH (15) Midlands, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Feb, DEADPOOL (tbc) Solihull Arts Complex CONCUSSION (15) DINOSAUR ZOO Unique show which brings a plethora of prehistoric crea- ODDBALL AND THE PENGUINS (tbc) tures to the stage, Sat 13 - Sun 14 ZOOLANDER 2 (tbc) Feb, Birmingham Town Hall Talks BRIDGE OF SPIES (12a) The tense negotiations over the recovery of U2 THE GREEN INFERNO (18) THE REMARKABLE TALE OF OLIVER pilot Gary Powers in 1960s Berlin are JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS (tbc) TWIST Red Earth Theatre present MEET THE LONG GALLERY SCULPTURE ARTIST A free artists’ talk about the the real-life backdrop to this wonder- NOBEL (tbc) Charles Dickens' mesmerising tale in fully uncynical thriller scripted by the Victorian music hall style, with spe- sculptures in the Long Gallery, with THE SURVIVALIST (tbc) the artists Sorsha Galvin, Jaimini Coen brothers. Stars Tom Hanks & ciality acts and variety entertain- Mark Rylance. Fri 12 Feb, Mon 15 - WELCOME TO LEITH (tbc) ments, Sun 14 Feb, Warwick Arts Patel and Sikander Perves, Sat 13 Feb, Croome Park, Worcestershire Wed 18 Feb, Royal Spa Centre, See Film section for previews on p40 Centre, Coventry Leamington Spa.

whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List 8-14 Feb - WARKS/WORC FINAL MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:20 Page 3

thelist Monday 8 - Sunday 14 February cottage before sending your loving BOX? Put your hands into the feely Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Events messages from one of the most boxes and work out the hidden toy exhibition, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, romantic sites in England, Sat 13 - from Shakespeare's childhood, Sat Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Sun 14 Feb, Anne Hathaway's 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Shakespeare's Coventry POETRY BY HEART Warwickshire coun- Cottage & Gardens, Stratford Upon Birthplace, Stratford Upon Avon MIC LAB: BRISTLE BUGS Bristle bugs ty final, where students aged 14 to Avon CRACK THE CODE Crack the code and are ready to get into action. Have fun 18 recite two poems to an expert WISH UPON A STAR Find the num- use it to write your own secret mes- creating these motorised creatures panel of judges, Tues 9 Feb, bered stars hidden in the house and sage, or use the Hall’s Croft invisible before letting them loose in the work- Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford observe the Shakespeare Aloud ink to pass notes no one can see, shop to make fantastic artwork, Sat Upon Avon actors perform the associated sonnet Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Hall's Croft, 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Coventry Transport DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to just for you, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Feb, Stratford Upon Avon Museum practise drifting in safe and legal Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford BUILD SHAKESPEARE'S HOUSES Learn VALENTINE'S TREE Write a message to conditions on some of the Pod's 30 Upon Avon about Tudor houses by reconstruct- a loved one and hang it on the acres of open tarmac, Wed 10 Feb, LADIES FESTIVALS An exhibition about ing the Shakespeare family homes in Valentine's tree in the parlour, Sun 14 Santa Pod Raceway, Northants the Ladies Festivals, held annually by miniature, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Feb, Hall's Croft, Stratford Upon BIG COMFY BOOK SHOP PRESENTS most lodges and including a banquet Harvard House & The Museum of Avon RETRO GAMES NIGHT WITH and dancing, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Feb, British Pewter, Stratford Upon Avon COIN & BANKNOTE FAIR Featuring coin, ENTERTAINMENT BROS Monthly retro Worcestershire Museum of THE RIDDLE OF CROOME TRAIL Follow banknote, medal and antiquity deal- games night featuring classics from Freemasonry the clues round the park and deci- ers from the United Kingdom and Sega, Nintendo and more... Thurs 11 LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND: SIR JOHN’S pher the riddle of Croome, Sat 13 - Ireland, Sun 14 Feb, National Feb, Fargo Village, Coventry PASTON’S HOUSEHOLD A group of re- Sun 21 Feb, Croome Park, Motorcycle Museum, Solihull GROW AND EXPLORE OUTDOORS: A SES- enactors take to the Town House to Worcestershire RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Take your car or SION FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5YRS Fri 12 recreate 15th century life as accu- FAMILY FUN DAYS - FEBRUARY HALF motorcycle out on the famous quar- Feb, Hill Close Gardens, Warwick rately as possible, including eating TERM An outdoor adventure for all ter-mile dragstrip and test its per- HERBERT LATES Monthly evening of and sleeping as people would have the family featuring a natural play trail formance limits in a safe and legal art, music, drinks, talks, performanc- done at the time, Sat 13 - Sun 14 with stepping stones, rope swings environment, Sun 14 Feb, Santa Pod es and history-inspired fun, Fri 12 Feb, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove and a winding labyrinth, Sat 13 - Sun Raceway, Northants Feb, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, DOWN UNDER LIVE Do you want to 21 Feb, Baddesley Clinton, Solihull Coventry emigrate to Australia or New EXPLORERS WEEK Take your explorers BIG COMFY BOOK SHOP PRESENTS TEA Zealand? Find out how at Down along to help the onsite explorer AND TABLE TOP Spend the evening Under Live - the UK’s number one character ‘Livingstone’ find the miss- Visual Arts playing a variety of board games and emigration event, Sat 13 - Sun 14 ing dinosaur with the free Explorers discover some brand new ones too, Feb, National Motorcycle Museum, Trail, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, West Solihull MAUREEN SULLIVAN - ‘WINTER LIGHT’ Fri 12 Feb - Fri 8 Apr, Fargo Village, Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley Stained glass creations, until Wed 17 Coventry HANDMADE VALENTINES See the 1940s FEBRUARY HALF-TERM FAMILY Feb, Number 8, Pershore, Worcs love stories evolve in the house and ‘MORE THAN KISSES’ CALLIGRAPHY ACTIVITIES Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Blists JOAN SHARMA ARBSA A celebration of WORKSHOP Artist Elizabeth Beattie craft your own Valentine's Day card Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire for a loved one, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Feb, mothers, babies and mothers-to-be. guides visitors through the beautiful BUILD A BRITISH CAR WEEK Join in with Sculptures in stone and wood, until hand craft of calligraphy before pro- Upton House & Gardens, Warwickshire one of the workshops in the Lego Sat 20 Feb, RBSA Gallery, viding them with an opportunity to Education Innovation Studio, where Birmingham create their own personalised SPYING AND SECRECY Learn about you can get creative by building a Valentine card, Sat 13 Feb, industrial espionage in the 18th cen- ENCHANTED DREAMS The first ever British car with Lego bricks, Sat 13 - exhibition to be dedicated to Pre- Worcester Cathedral tury, the secret recipe for making Sun 21 Feb, British Motor Museum, porcelain and the lengths to which Raphaelite artist Edward Robert FEBRUARY HALF-TERM TILE DECORATING Gaydon, Warwickshire Hughes, until Sun 21 Feb, WORKSHOPS Circus-themed drop-in the factory owners went to ensure no others knew of their invention, Sat 13 1940S LAND ARMY TRAIL Explore the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery tile decorating workshops, Sat 13 grounds of Upton House during half Feb, Jackfield Tile Museum, - Fri 19 Feb, Museum Of Royal Worcester term and learn how the Land Army Ironbridge, Shropshire contributed to the war effort during LOVE THEMED SELF-GUIDED TRAIL World War Two. Complete the trail to Follow a trail that highlights the inter- win a prize, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, esting love stories connected to the Upton House & Gardens, cathedral, including Shakespeare, Warwickshire Elgar and the Royals, Sat 13 - Sat 20 Feb, Worcester Cathedral FAMILY FUN DAYS - FEBRUARY HALF- TERM Head off on a journey through PUT WORCESTER IN YOUR PICTURE the woods for a welly walk, Sat 13 - Create a postcard of your favourite Sun 21 Feb, Packwood House, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR city spot and peg it on the museum’s Solihull 2015 Featuring 100 amazing images, Worcester washing line, Sat 13 - Sat FLIGHT WORKSHOPS Take part in inter- from fascinating animal behaviour to 20 Feb, Worcester City Museum & breathtaking wild landscapes, Fri 5 Art Gallery active activities and make your own rocket from the available craft materi- Feb - Sun 10 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery LOVE WORCESTER FESTIVAL A celebra- & Museum, Coventry SKETCH COVENTRY Join local urban als, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Enginuity tion of the city’s unique and varied Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire sketchers in the Herbert Café for a history, where visitors can explore day of sketching around Coventry the beautiful buildings and museums DESTINATION SPACE HALF TERM Sat 13 city centre, Sat 13 Feb, Herbert Art and enjoy a variety of family activi- - Sun 21 Feb, National Space Centre, Gallery & Museum, Coventry ties, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, Worcester Leicester TWISTED BARREL PRESENTS City Centre SUPERHERO HALF TERM Wear your VALENTINES SPECIAL Blind Date spe- MYSTERY THEMED TRAIL Pick up a free best pants over the top of your cial, Sat 13 Feb, Fargo Village, mystery trail from the front desk and trousers, or arrive dressed as a Coventry solve the code to find Elgar’s lost superhero, Sat 13 - Sat 27 Feb, LIVING HISTORY AT THE COMMANDERY batons, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, The Twinlakes Family Theme Park, See 2000 years of history come to Elgar Birthplace Museum, Leicestershire life with a weekend full of ancient Worcestershire PRINCESS HALF TERM Featuring THIS GREEN EARTH Malvern-based Greeks, Viking warriors, two world FIND FRUITS, FLOWERS & FOSSILS Princess activities throughout the artist Bridget Macdonald here sees wars and much more... Sat 13 - Sun Family trails to follow, including a day, Sat 13 - Sat 27 Feb, Twinlakes her landscapes exhibited alongside 14 Feb, The Commandery, Worcester safari backpack to help you in your Family Theme Park, Leicestershire works by great historic painters, FROM ANNE HATHAWAY'S WITH LOVE research, Sat 13 - Sun 21 Feb, FEBRUARY HALF TERM - CAPTURING Claude Lorrain, Samuel Palmer and Follow the Valentine's Riddle to find Worcester Cathedral SPRING Workshop inspired by some Peter Paul Rubens, Sat 13 Feb - Sat the post box in the grounds of the of the beautiful images from the 25 June, Worcester City Museum & DARE YOU EXPLORE WHAT'S INSIDE THE Art Gallery

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 8-14 Feb - WARKS/WORC FINAL MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:21 Page 4

David O’Doherty The Rat Pack & Judy Friday 12th February, 8:00pm Thursday 25th February, 7:30pm

Gary Delaney The Dreamers Saturday 12th March, 8:00pm Thursday 24th March, 7:30pm

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List 15-21 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY NEW MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:22 Page 1

thelist Monday 15 - Sunday 21 February JIMEOIN Wed 17 Feb, Birmingham Classical Music Town Hall GARY DELANEY Thurs 18 Feb, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester MADNESS AND TORMENT: BAROQUE MUSIC CONCERT Featuring Bethany RORY MCGRATH Thurs 18 Feb, Artrix, Seymour (soprano), Pamela Thorby Bromsgrove (recorder) and Peter Seymour (harp- ED BYRNE Fri 19 Feb, Birmingham sichord). Programme includes works Town Hall by Blow, Purcell, Handel, Humfrey RORY MCGRATH Fri 19 Feb, Evesham and Telemann, Tues 16 Feb, St Mary's Arts Centre Church, Warwick DILLIE KEANE Fri 19 Feb, Malvern EMMA JOHNSON & MOZART'S CLARINET Theatres CONCERTO Featuring Emma Johnson (clarinet) and David Curtis (conduc- JIM DAVIDSON Fri 19 Feb, Palace tor). Programme includes works by Theatre, Redditch Parkway Drive, O2 Academy, Birmingham, Mon 15 February Gluck, Fauré, Haydn and Mozart, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Sat 20 Feb, Royal Tues 16 Feb, Stratford Artshouse Spa Centre, Leamington Spa TCHAIKOVSKY’S SIXTH Featuring City of DUNCAN OAKLEY, DOMINIC WOODWARD, LUCY SPRAGGAN Fri 19 Bromsgrove Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, DAVID LONGLEY & JAMES MEEHAN Sat Gigs Feb, O2 Academy, CASH (PAYIN' RESPECT Rafael Payare (conductor) and Alisa 20 Feb, Coventry Showcase Birmingham TO THE MAN IN BLACK) Weilerstein (cello). Programme Sat 20 Feb, O2 includes works by Berlioz, Prokofiev, PARKWAY DRIVE Mon 15 Academy, Birmingham Sinfonia and Tchaikovsky, Wed 17 Feb, O2 Academy, Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham THE EVERLY BROTHERS & Theatre FRIENDS TRIBUTE SHOW EMMA JOHNSON & MOZART'S CLARINET NATHANIEL RATELIFF AND Sat 20 Feb, CONCERTO Featuring David Curtis THE NIGHT SWEATS Mon THE SISTERHOOD Ranjit Bolt’s brilliantly Huntingdon Hall, (conductor). Programme includes 15 Feb, O2 Institute, funny adaptation of Molière’s classic Worcester works by Gluck, Fauré, Haydn and satire, Les Femmes Savantes, until Birmingham Mozart, Wed 17 Feb, Birmingham FAT WHITE FAMILY Sat Sat 20 Feb, Belgrade Theatre, Town Hall 20 Feb, O2 Institute, Coventry Birmingham FLANDERS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Featuring Jan Latham Koenig (con- SUBHUMAN RACE Sat 20 to the RSC to direct Marlowe's notori- ductor) & Nikolai Demidenko (piano), Feb, The Marr's Bar, ous tale of vanity, greed and damna- Wed 17 Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Worcester tion, until Thurs 4 Aug, The Swan Coventry Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon MIKEY BROMLEY Mon 15 THE ULTIMATE 'BOY THE BILLY FURY YEARS CBSO RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN Feb, O2 Institute, BANDS' SPECTACULAR Sat 20 Feb, Palace HOW THE KOALA LEARNT TO HUG Off- Featuring Martin Yates (conductor) Birmingham WITH ULTIMATE BOY Theatre, Redditch the-wall family musical based on the BANDS Fri 19 Feb, and University of Birmingham Voices. best-selling book by Steven Lee, Mon FENSTER + BATSCH PAUL CARRACK Nailcote Hall, Sat 20 Programme includes songs from Tues 16 Feb, The Tin 15 Feb, Number 8, Pershore, Worcs Berkswell, Feb, Symphony Hall, Oklahoma!, The King and I, The Music And Arts, KITE The Wrong Crowd theatre com- Warwickshire Birmingham Sound Of Music and more... Fri 19 Coventry Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham pany present a new play without CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. THE words featuring originally composed YOUNG Fri 19 Feb, O2 BIRMINGHAM CONTEMPORARY MUSIC music, dance, puppetry and, of Academy, Birmingham GROUP Featuring Richard Baker (con- course, kites. Inspired by the world of ductor), Lucy Schaufer (mezzo sopra- RYLEY WALKER & DANNY indoor kite flying and stories such as no) and Christopher Yates (viola). THOMPSON Fri 19 Feb, The Snowman and The Red Balloon, Programme includes works by Berio, The Rainbow Venues, Tues 16 - Wed 17 Feb, The REP, Tansy Davies, Judith Weir, Feldman, Birmingham Birmingham Richard Baker, Michael Sev Gorden, DAVID RODIGAN'S and others... Sat 20 Feb, Bramall LITTLE WOMEN Swan Theatre Amateur RAMJAM Fri 19 Feb, Music Building, Birmingham Company presents its version of BARS AND MELODY Wed The Rainbow Venues, Louisa May Alcott’s classic love story, CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA: 17 Feb, O2 Academy, Birmingham Tues 16 - Sat 20 Feb, Swan Theatre, RACHMANINOV'S SECOND Featuring Jac Birmingham BLACK PEAKS Sat 20 Worcester FOALS Fri 19 Feb, van Steen (conductor). Programme Feb, The Asylum, RUNRIG Thurs 18 Feb, Barclaycard Arena, includes works by Prokofiev and GANGSTA GRANNY Birmingham Stage Birmingham Symphony Hall, B’ham Birmingham Rachmaninov, Sun 21 Feb, Company bring a production of David DIGBY FAIRWEATHER'S FLOWERS Sat 20 Feb, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Walliams' best-selling book to the The Rainbow Venues, stage, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Feb, Belgrade HALF DOZEN Thurs 18 UNLIMITED VOICES PRESENT THE GREAT Birmingham Theatre, Coventry Feb, Solihull Arts SONGS OF MUSICAL THEATRE Sun 21 Complex PORTAL 2ND BIRTHDAY - Feb, Birmingham Town Hall YORKSTON / THORNE / AMNESIA IBIZA TOUR Sat KHAN Thurs 18 Feb, 20 Feb, The Rainbow Warwick Arts Centre, Venues, Birmingham Coventry CIRQUE DU SOUL WORBEY & FARRELL’S Comedy Gigs PRESENT TODDLA T Fri MYSTERY JETS Thurs 18 HOUSE PARTY Sat 20 19 Feb, The Rainbow Feb, The Roses Feb, O2 Institute, ED BYRNE Tues 16 Feb, Warwick Arts Venues, Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury Birmingham Centre, Coventry ROCKIN’ THE 70’S Fri 19 JESSE MALIN Thurs 18 PAUL LIDDELL Sun 21 Feb, The Roses Feb, O2 Institute, Feb, The Marr's Bar, Theatre, Tewkesbury Birmingham Worcester HALSEY Sat 20 Feb, O2 GRETCHEN PETERS Fri 19 VICTORIA Sun 21 Feb, IMPOSSIBLE The world's greatest illu- Academy, Birmingham Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove The Rainbow Venues, sionists live on stage in a magic ALLISON WEISS Sat 20 Birmingham spectacular, Tues 16 - Sat 20 Feb, LET'S HANG ON Fri 19 Feb, O2 Institute, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Feb, Solihull Arts BENDRIX: BENJI Birmingham Complex KIRKPATRICK’S HENDRIX ROUND AND ROUND THE GARDEN ATOMIC BLONDIE & THE PROJECT Sun 21 Feb, Natasha Gray and Kevin Pallister star MUSED (MUSE TRIBUTE) BOWIE EXPERIENCE Sat The Fleece Inn, in Alan Ayckbourn’s award-winning Fri 19 Feb, The Marr's 20 Feb, Artrix, Evesham play of secrets, lies and deception, Bar, Worcester

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 15-21 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY NEW MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:22 Page 2

Monday 15 - Sunday 21 February

Tues 16 - Sat 20 Feb, Malvern FREEZING: AN ICY ADVENTURE Take a Albany Theatre, Coventry Theatres trip to the snowy heights of Arendelle FIFTY SHADES OF BEIGE A poignant Dance HERE BE MONSTERS Brand new sea- and get lost in a whirlwind of song, but uplifting comedy from All & faring adventure packed full of dance and snow. Sing along to all Sundry, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Feb, Artrix, songs, interactive fun and surprises the hits, play frosty games and learn Bromsgrove RICHARD ALSTON DANCE COMPANY for young children and their families, how to cast arctic spells with your Triple bill of works including Martin favourite princesses in a fun and SNOW CHILD Tutti Frutti & York Lawrance’s Stronghold, Mazur - a Wed 17 Feb, Roses Theatre, Theatre Royal present a magical Tewkesbury interactive treat, Thurs 18 Feb, dance for two friends set to the Bedworth Civic Hall story about family, love and the music of Chopin - and Brisk Singing SINGLE SPIES Nicholas Farrell (The power of dreams, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Feb, ILLUSIONS Las Vegas-style show star- - a ‘joyful response to the musical Lady In The Van), Belinda Lang Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry brilliance of Jean-Philippe Rameau’, (2point4 Children) and David Robb ring Sean Alexander, Thurs 18 Feb, Palace Theatre, Redditch Tues 16 - Wed 17 Feb, Malvern (Downton Abbey) star in Rachel Theatres Kavanagh's staging of Alan Bennett's THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL Moon On A comedy masterpiece, Wed 17 - Sat Stick present a magical twist on a ASHTON DOUBLE BILL Birmingham 27 Feb, The REP, Birmingham well-known tale, complete with pup- Royal Ballet petry, live music and audience inter- present a pro- action, Fri 19 Feb, Albany Theatre, gramme of Coventry one-act ballets celebrating one OLIVER! Pershore Operatic & of England's Dramatic Youth Section present most influential Lionel Bart’s musical version of choreogra- Charles Dickens’ classic, Fri 19 - Sat phers, Wed 17 20 Feb, Number 8, Pershore, Worcs - Sat 20 Feb, COUNT DUCKULA & THE JEWELS OF Birmingham Hippodrome DUCKULA Join Duckula, Nanny and SNOW WHITE BalletLORENT’s dance Igor in a race to find the treasure in a theatre adaptation of one of the most show packed with songs, games and well-loved Brothers Grimm fairytales, tons of fun - perfect entertainment for Thurs 18 - Fri 19 Feb, Warwick Arts all the family to enjoy, Sat 20 Feb, Centre, Coventry A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM: A PLAY Solihull Arts Complex THE REMARKABLE TALE OF OLIVER FOR THE NATION A co-production TWIST Red Earth Theatre present A CHILD'S DREAM Birmingham Royal between the Royal Shakespeare BANG! THE ULTIMATE POP SHOW Charles Dickens' mesmerising tale in Ballet present an adaptation of Company and amateur theatre com- Featuring a talented cast of profes- Victorian music hall style, with spe- Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s panies across the UK, Wed 17 Feb - sional singers and dancers perform- ciality acts and variety entertain- Dream, specially created for children Sat 5 Mar, Royal Shakespeare ing renditions of the most popular ments, Sun 21 Feb, Artrix, aged between three and seven, Fri Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon chart music of today, Sat 20 Feb, Bromsgrove 19 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome

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thelist Monday 15 - Sunday 21 February THE GOOD DINOSAUR (PG) An animated build a space buggy to send to the Hive Worcester Talks adventure about a dinosaur who Moon, Mon 15 - Fri 19 Feb, BIG COMFY BOOK SHOP PRESENTS: FILM finds himself lost in the wilderness - Thinktank at Millennium Point, NIGHT Thurs 18 Feb, Fargo Village, and who must face his fears in order Birmingham Coventry DID KING JOHN LOVE WORCESTER? A to find his way back home. Wed 17 - HALF TERM FUN Craft activities, nature WE LOVE THE GEORGIANS Travel back talk about King John in the 800th Sat 20 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove trails and plenty of fun and games... anniversary year of his death. Hear in time and discover what life was THE BIG SHORT (15) The recent eco- Mon 15 - Fri 19 Feb, Birmingham like for Georgian children in about his life, his loves and the dis- nomic crisis is given a make-over in Botanical Gardens putes running up to him sealing Worcester. Play with Georgian toys, this comic drama from the director of HALF-TERM CERAMIC CRAFTS Fun try your hand at the games they Magna Carta, Thurs 18 Feb, the Anchorman films. And it’s based Worcester Cathedral ceramic drop-in workshops where played and make your very own on a true story. What makes it so visitors can have a go at clay model- memento to take home, Fri 19 Feb, AN EVENING WITH AGGERS AND compelling are the characters that ling and painting on ceramics, Mon St Swithun's Church, Worcester TUFFERS An entertaining evening for populate the battlefield, real 15 - Fri 19 Feb, Coalport China TUDOR WORKSHOPS Hear a Tudor cricket fans and non-lovers of the eccentrics who rose to the top of the Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire game alike, Thurs 18 Feb, Malvern cesspool in spite of their quirks. boy's tale of Shakespeare's youth Theatres Stars Christian Bale & Steve Carell. KNIGHTS AND PRINCESSES ACADEMY and find out all about Tudor medi- Fri 19 - Tues 23 Feb, Warwick Arts An academy for budding knights and cine, clothes and more, Fri 19 Feb, Centre, Coventry princesses featuring hands-on Hall's Croft, Stratford Upon Avon medieval fun. Transform yourself into THE NATIONAL FRANCHISE EXHIBITION Film a courtly Lord or Lady with tips on Showcasing a huge range of national NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: everything from curtsies to combat, franchise opportunities - an ideal Released Fri 19 Feb, showing at Mon 15 - Fri 19 Feb, Kenilworth platform for anyone looking to run INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: selected cinemas. Castle, Warwickshire their own business, Fri 19 - Sat 20 THE FINEST HOURS (tbc) FEBRUARY HALF-TERM: TILE Feb, NEC, Birmingham DECORATING WORKSHOPS Circus- TED '16: DREAM - OPENING NIGHT (12a) FREEHELD (12a) DSLR PHOTOGRAPHY FOR BEGINNERS A Live broadcast - TED’s curator Chris themed drop-in tile decorating work- concise four-week beginner’s intro- Anderson will host the opening night, HOW TO BE SINGLE (tbc) shops, Mon 15 - Sat 20 Feb, duction to your DSLR camera, Sat 20 which will feature some of the world’s TRIPLE NINE (tbc) Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Feb, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Shropshire leading thinkers and doers who’ve BONE TOMAHAWK (18) STUNT FEST An afternoon of awesome won every international prize of FEBRUARY HALF TERM: TREASURE THE BOY (tbc) stunts and displays for all the family, excellence, from Nobel Laureates to ISLAND All aboard the Hispaniola for featuring some of the top UK stunt Pulitzer Prize authors and Oscar win- CHRONIC (15) some pirate fun at Avoncroft! You drivers and riders, Sat 20 Feb, Santa ners. Tues 16 Feb, Warwick Arts MAVIS! (tbc) might even find some buried treas- Pod Raceway, Northants Centre, Coventry; The Electric, ure... Mon 15 - Sun 21 Feb, Birmingham ORTHODOX (tbc) Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove LADIES FESTIVALS An exhibition about See Film section for previews on p40 the Ladies Festivals, held annually by THE MYSTERY OF SHAKESPEARE’S most lodges and including a banquet MARRIAGE AND THE WORLD OF TUDOR and dancing, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Feb, WORCESTER Find out about the mys- Worcestershire Museum of tery of Shakespeare’s marriage, han- Freemasonry, Worcester Events dle Tudor pottery and see docu- ments about Queen Elizabeth I’s visit MAZDA MX-5 OWNERS CLUB Sun 21 Feb, Coventry Transport Museum ELGAR'S ENIGMAS A family event to the city, Tues 16 Feb, The Hive where visitors can create their own Worcester BIRMINGHAM ARMS FAIR The UK’s detective outfit and personalised MATTERS OF THE BRAIN What physical- biggest and best antique and vintage code maker to become a code ly happens when we fall in love? Why arms fair, Sun 21 Feb, National breaker like Edward Elgar, Mon 15 would your heart beat faster? Where Motorcycle Museum, Solihull Feb, The Elgar Birthplace Museum, in the body does the reaction actual- Worcestershire ly happen? Tues 16 Feb, Infirmary Museum, Worcester G EROS (15) A troublesome teenager IN A TRANCE... Discover the fascinating mystery world of anaesthetics Visual Arts isű sent to live with his brother in LADIES FESTIVALS An exhibition about Mexico City. Together, they set out on and what was used before drugs to the Ladies Festivals, held annually by a road trip to find legendary rock knock you out cold. Free family trails most lodges and including a banquet MAUREEN SULLIVAN – ‘WINTER LIGHT’ musician Epigmenio Cruz. Stars and displays all week, Mon 15 - Fri and dancing, Tues 16 - Thurs 18 Feb, Stained glass creations, until Wed 17 Tenoch Huerta. Foreign language, 19 Feb, George Marshall Medical Worcestershire Museum of Feb, Number 8, Pershore, Worcs subtitled. Tues 16 Feb, Roses Museum, Worcester Freemasonry, Worcester ENCHANTED DREAMS The first ever Theatre, Tewkesbury DESTINATION SPACE: FAMILY SHOW WINTER WELLY WALKS Squelch and exhibition to be dedicated to Pre- SNOOPY & CHARLIE BROWN - THE Explore what life is like for the entire splash your way around the Hills on Raphaelite artist Edward Robert PEANUTS MOVIE (U) Snoopy embarks space crew in a family show cele- a wintery adventure walk, Wed 17 Hughes, until Sun 21 Feb, upon his greatest mission as he and brating astronaut Tim Peake’s mis- Feb, Clent Hills, Worcestershire Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery his team take to the skies to pursue sion to the International Space LOVE BUGS Children's drop-in activity, WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR their arch-nemesis. Meanwhile, his Station, Mon 15 - Fri 19 Feb, making a mini bug house to take 2015 Featuring 100 amazing images best pal Charlie Brown begins his Thinktank at Millennium Point, home for your spring garden, Wed from fascinating animal behaviour to own epic quest back home to win Birmingham 17 Feb, Tudor House Heritage breathtaking wild landscapes, Fri 5 the love of his life. Tues 16 - Wed 17 Centre, Worcester Feb - Sun 10 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove; Fri 19 - Sun BANG - FAMILY POP SHOW & & Museum, Coventry 21, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry WORKSHOP A brand new touring pop NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 THE DANISH GIRL (15) Period drama, show featuring a talented cast of pro- Exhibition of works by graduates based on the novel by David fessional singers and dancers per- from various West Midlands art Ebershoff, about an early recipient of forming the chart and pop music of schools, Fri 12 Feb - Sun 15 May, gender reassignment surgery in the today, Wed 17 Feb, Solihull Arts Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery early 1930s. Stars Eddie Redmayne Complex and Sat 13 Feb - Sun 10 Apr, mac, & Alicia Vikander. Tues 16 & Sun 21 TUDOR WORKSHOPS Hear a Tudor Birmingham Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove; Wed 17 boy's tale of Shakespeare's youth THIS GREEN EARTH Malvern-based Feb, Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury and find out all about Tudor medi- artist Bridget Macdonald here sees CAROL (15) Drama set in the 1950s cine, clothes and more... Wed 17 her landscapes exhibited alongside about the relationship between a Feb, Shakespeare's Birthplace, works by great historic painters shop girl and a glamorous older Stratford Upon Avon Claude Lorrain, Samuel Palmer and woman. Wed 17 Feb, Artrix, LOVE ARCHAEOLOGY Join in the activi- Peter Paul Rubens, Sat 13 Feb - Sat Bromsgrove SPACE BUGGIES Join the space crew ties based around archaeology in the 25 June, Worcester City Museum & engineering team to design and Children’s Library, Thurs 18 Feb, The Art Gallery

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 15-21 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY NEW MASTER VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:22 Page 4

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 22-28 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION Davina.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:23 Page 1

thelist Monday 22 - Sunday 28 February most rocking show in town, featuring Classical Music all your favourite rock and pop hits, including music by: U2, The Verve, Eric Clapton, Coldplay, Adele and QUATUOR ZAIDE Programme includes more, Sat 27 Feb, Symphony Hall, works by Haydn, Shostakovich, Birmingham Francesca Verunelli and CHAMBER MUSIC NIGHT Featuring the Mendelssohn, Mon 22 Feb, Flute Choir and Clarinet Choir, Sat 27 Birmingham Town Hall Feb, The Barber Institute, University LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH of Birmingham THOMAS TROTTER Mon 22 Feb, BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL Birmingham Town Hall TERCENTENARY FESTIVAL OF VOICES SCHUBERT FESTIVAL With five concerts (THE 20TH CENTURY) Discover the each day, students and staff explore musical richness and heritage of Wet Wet Wet at Genting Arena in Birmingham on 26 February the diverse richness of Schubert’s Birmingham Cathedral in The Festival music, Mon 22 - Fri 26 Feb, Of Voices, to celebrate the cathe- Birmingham 27 Feb, mac, Birmingham Conservatoire dral's tercentenary. The festival will Gigs JESS GLYNNE Fri 26 Birmingham CBSO BENJAMIN GROSVENOR: GRIEG complete its series with a 20th centu- Feb, O2 Academy, THE X FACTOR LIVE TOUR Featuring Jac van Steen (conductor) ry concert at the cathedral, Sat 27 Birmingham 2016 Sat 27 Feb, and Benjamin Grosvenor (piano). Feb, Birmingham Cathedral SECTION BOYZ Mon 22 Genting Arena, B’ham Programme includes works by Elgar, Feb, O2 Institute, LADY BE GOOD Fri 26 WARWICKSHIRE SYMPHONY Grieg and Brahms, Wed 24 Feb, Birmingham Feb, Dovehouse HOSTILE Sat 27 Feb, O2 ORCHESTRA: AN EVENING OF OPERA Theatre, Solihull Academy, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Featuring Nadine Benjamin (sopra- TWENTY ONE PILOTS no), John Hudson (tenor) and Tony ULRICH SCHNAUSS Fri RAYMOND FROGGATT Sat ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN WITH CRAIG Tues 23 Feb, O2 Ayres (guest conductor). Programme 26 Feb, The Rainbow 27 Feb, Palace OGDEN Featuring David Curtis (con- Academy, Birmingham includes works by Wagner, Verdi, Venues, Birmingham Theatre, Redditch ductor). Programme includes works WALK THE MOON Tues by Albeniz, Rodrigo, Vivaldi and Puccini, Smetana, Saint-Saens, Woff- ALEX OHM GERRY CROSS THE 23 Feb, O2 Institute, Fri 26 Feb, Mendelssohn, Wed 24 Feb, Malvern Ferrari, Leoncavalio and Rimsky- MERSEY Birmingham O2 Institute, Sat 27 Feb, Theatres, Worcestershire Korsakov, Sat 27 Feb, Royal Spa Birmingham Palace Theatre, Centre, Leamington Spa BREABACH 2016 Tues 23 THE SIXTEEN Programme comprises TONIGHT ALIVE Redditch Feb, The Fleece Inn, Fri 26 Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Wed 24 Feb, TOSCA Ellen Kent Opera present TALON - THE BEST OF Evesham Feb, O2 Institute, Worcester Cathedral Puccini's tale of love and treachery. Birmingham EAGLES Sat 27 Feb, STEVE TILSTON Tues 23 Sung in Italian with English surtitles, Solihull Arts Complex Feb, The Roses ATOMIC BLONDIE Fri 26 Sun 28 Feb, New Alexandra Theatre, Theatre, Tewkesbury Feb, The Marr's Bar, MAMA PRESENTS AN Birmingham Worcester EVENING OF GENESIS FUN LOVIN' CRIMINALS MARIA MARCHANT Award-winning MUSIC Sat 27 Feb, Thurs 25 Feb, O2 GEORGE BENSON - British pianist Maria is much in Huntingdon Hall, Institute, Birmingham STEVIE WONDER PARTY demand as recitalist, concerto soloist WITH NAT AUGUSTIN Fri Worcester and chamber musician since giving EXODUS Thurs 25 Feb, 26 Feb, Nailcote Hall, TORI KELLY Sat 27 Feb, TRIO SEVERN Featuring Zoë Beyers her Wigmore and Southbank debuts The Asylum, Berkswell, O2 Institute, B’ham (violin), David Powell (cello) & Robert in 2010 to critical acclaim, Sun 28 Birmingham Feb, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester Warwickshire MAX BOYCE Sat 27 Feb, Markham (piano). Programme com- BOY AND BEAR Thurs 25 AN EVENING WITHOUT Malvern Theatres, prises works by Beethoven, Thurs 25 SHREWSBURY SCHOOL PRESENTS Feb, O2 Academy, JAKE THACKRAY Fri 26 Worcestershire Feb, CBSO Centre, Birmingham VERDI'S REQUIEM Featuring guest Birmingham soloists Claire Morris, Rebecca Feb, Solihull Arts SCREAMING DEAD Sat 27 STAR WARS & BEYOND - A SPACE THE RAT PACK & JUDY Afonwy-Jones, Gareth Dafydd Morris Complex Feb, The Marr's Bar, SPECTACULAR Featuring Anthony Thurs 25 Feb, Stratford & Jonathan May, Sun 28 Feb, NIGHT OF THE MODS - Worcester Inglis (conductor) and London Artshouse Concert Orchestra. The programme Birmingham Town Hall THE SMALL FAKERS & TANNAHILL WEAVERS Sat SHUGGIE OTIS Thurs 25 includes works of John Williams, THE JAM DRC Fri 26 27 Feb, Number 8 Feb, O2 Institute, B’ham Holst, Strauss and more... Fri 26 Feb, Feb, The Empire, Community Arts Symphony Hall, Birmingham DAMIEN DEMPSEY AND Coventry Centre, Pershore, Dance HIS BAND Thurs 25 Feb, RAYMOND FROGGATT Sat Worcester HARRY BICKET AND THE ENGLISH O2 Academy, B’ham CONCERT PERFORM HANDEL'S ORLANDO 27 Feb, Palace THE WURZELS Sat 27 Featuring Carolyn Sampson and ROMEO AND JULIET Birmingham Royal WET WET WET Fri 26 Theatre, Redditch Feb, The Assembly, Lestyn Davies in the title role, Fri 26 Ballet present Kenneth MacMillan’s Feb, Genting Arena, ASHLEY HUTCHINGS Sat Leamington Spa Feb, Birmingham Town Hall best-loved adaptation of this famous CREEPER Sat 27 Feb, SIGNUM STRING QUARTET Featuring play to continue the company’s 2016 Kasbah, Coventry Kerstin Dill and Annette Walther (vio- Shakespeare celebration, Wed 24 - ELEMENTS PRESENTS lins), Xandi van Dijk (viola) & Thomas Sat 27 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome TRUNCATE, REBEKAH & Schmitz (cello). Programme includes MOTIONHOUSE: CAPTIVE & MORE Sat 27 Feb, The works by Haydn, Berg and Brahms, UNDERGROUND A double bill of dance, Rainbow Venues, Fri 26 Feb, Royal Pump Rooms, acrobatics and aerial work, per- Birmingham Leamington Spa formed inside a large cage and rock- THE COMMANDMENTS THE ALMA GUITAR QUARTET Hannah ing tubular structure. Fri 26 Feb, Sat 27 Feb, The River Woollacott, Brexwedan Kockaya, Artrix, Bromsgrove Rooms, Stourbridge Jonnie Cumming and Rowan DIGITOPIA Tom Dale Company in part- SAX IN THE CITY: THE McConkey perform a broad reper- nership with MOKO Dance present a NOTEBENDERS Sat 27 toire ranging from early baroque dancing digital wonderland fusing Feb, Symphony Hall, arrangements to early 20th century contemporary dance, electronic Birmingham works plus popular music from South music and digital art, Fri 26 - Sun 28 America and Cuba, Fri 26 Feb, Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry BRITISH SEA POWER Sat Birmingham Conservatoire 27 Feb, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET - CLASS ON Town Hall CHRISTOPHER ORTON AND TOMOKO STAGE A chance to look behind the MATSUOKA Programme includes SABATON & ALESTORM scenes and watch BRB’s talented works by JS Bach, Telemann and dancers in their final preparations for Sun 28 Feb, O2 Froberger, Fri 26 Feb, The Barber a performance of world class danc- Academy, Birmingham Institute, University of Birmingham ing, Sat 27 Feb, Birmingham LEONA LEWIS Sun 28 SYMPHONIC ROCK The Royal Hippodrome Feb, Symphony Hall, Philharmonic Orchestra presents the Jess Glynne, O2 Academy, Birmingham, 26 February Birmingham 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 22-28 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION Davina.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:23 Page 2

Monday 22 - Sunday 28 February

Tues 23 Feb, Roses Theatre, FOOTLOOSE SoSage Factory present Comedy Gigs Theatre Tewkesbury an amateur version of the 1984 film, END OF THE RAINBOW Lisa Maxwell featuring iconic hits Holding Out For stars as Judy Garland as the Wizard A Hero, Lets Here it For The Boy, HAL CRUTTENDEN Fri 26 Feb, DOCTOR FAUSTUS Maria Aberg returns Of Oz star makes her explosive Mama Says and, of course, the title Evesham Arts Centre to the RSC to direct Marlowe's notori- Swinging 60s London comeback, song itself, Thurs 25 - Sat 27 Feb, ous tale of vanity, greed and damna- BRIAN CONLEY Fri 26 Feb, Royal Spa Tues 23 - Sat 27 Feb, Belgrade Solihull Arts Complex tion, Thurs 4 Feb - Thurs 4 Aug, The Centre, Leamington Spa Theatre, Coventry FLYING SOLO Manjeet Mann's exhila- Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon ADAM HESS, STEVE BUGEJA Fri 26 Feb, LORD OF THE FLIES Great Leap rating semi-autobiographical story TROUSER-WEARING CHARACTERS BY The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Forward present William Golding's about family, survival, guilt and self- ROSE COLLIS One-woman cabaret- 20th century classic, Tues 23 - Sat 27 delusion, Thurs 25 - Sat 27 Feb, The SHIP OF FOOLS WITH COMPERE ALAN style musical show created and per- Feb, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry REP, Birmingham SEAMAN Fri 26 Feb, Palace Theatre, formed by a British author, combin- SING-A-LONG-A FROZEN A full screen- Redditch ing vignettes and songs about some ing of the Disney sensation, com- JOHN FOTHERGILL, DAN NIGHTINGALE, of her favourite trouser-wearing char- plete with on-screen lyrics to help SIMON KING & COMIC TBC Fri 26 - Sat acters, Mon 22 Feb, The Hive, you sing along with Anna and Elsa, 27 Feb, The Glee Club, Birmingham Worcester Sat 27 Feb, Swan Theatre, Worcester RUSSELL KANE Sat 27 Feb, The Roses TOAST Matthew Kelly stars in Richard SING-A-LONG-A GREASE Interactive Theatre, Tewkesbury Bean’s brilliantly observed drama, screening of the classic film starring Mon 22 - Sat 27 Feb, Malvern RICH STOKES Sat 27 Feb, mac, John Travolta and Olivia Newton- Theatres Birmingham ANYTHING GOES Music Theatre John, Sat 27 Feb, Swan Theatre, VINCE ATTA, SAM GORE, OLA & GEORGE BREAKING THE CODE The story of Warwick presents its version of Cole Worcester British mathematician Alan Turing, a LEWIS Sat 27 Feb, Coventry Porter’s heart-warming musical, Wed TOSCA Ellen Kent Opera present key player in the breaking of the Showcase 24 - Sat 27 Feb, Warwick Arts Puccini's tale of love and treachery. German Enigma code at Bletchley Centre, Coventry Sung in Italian with English surtitles, SHAZIA MIRAZ Sat 27 Feb, Royal Spa Park during World War Two, and his MIDDAY VARIETY Featuring the stars of Sun 28 Feb, New Alexandra Theatre. Centre, Leamington Spa attempts to grapple with his homo- Blackpool - Billy Pearce & John Birmingham ADAM HILLS sexuality, Mon 22 - Sat 27 Feb, The Bowdler, Thurs 25 Feb, Belgrade Sun 28 Feb, Birmingham Rose Theatre, Kidderminster THE 39 STEPS Fiery Angel present Theatre, Coventry Alfred Hitchcock's classic spy thriller, Hippodrome I’M SPILLING MY HEART OUT HERE The DON QUIXOTE James Fenton's staging Mon 29 Feb - Sat 5 Mar, The REP, ROUGH WORKS Sun 28 Feb, The Glee Roses Youth Theatre Company pres- of Cervantes' comic novel - a work Birmingham Club, Birmingham ent Stacey Gregg’s play about a regarded as one of the foundation group of young people who are liter- CONFUSIONS An ensemble of five stones of modern fiction, Thurs 25 ally spilling their hearts out in an people perform Alan Ayckbourn’s Feb - Sat 21 May, The Swan Theatre, attempt to understand the feelings series of five interconnecting one-act Stratford-upon-Avon and changes they’re experiencing, plays, Mon 29 Feb, Malvern Theatres

whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 22-28 Feb - WARKS/WORCS ONLY MASTER VERSION Davina.qxp_Layout 1 25/01/2016 16:23 Page 3

thelist Monday 22 - Sunday 28 February SUFFRAGETTE (12a) A British drama, GAY CLASSIC CAR CLUB Displaying up Talks set in 1912 and 1913, that tells the to 50 of their fantastic classic cars on story of the suffragette movement. Millennium Place, Sun 28 Feb, Stars Carey Mulligan & Meryl Streep. Coventry Transport Museum RUFUS NORRIS: BROMSGROVE WORDS Sat 27 Feb, Artrix, Birmingham RUN WHAT YA BRUNG Take your car or From North Bromsgrove School to motorcycle out on the famous quar- Director of the National Theatre - NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: ter-mile dragstrip and test its per- Rufus Norris talks about his plans for formance limits in a safe and legal the future, Sun 28 Feb, Artrix, Released Fri 26 Feb, showing at environment, Sun 28 Feb, Santa Pod Bromsgrove RENOIR: THE UNKNOWN ARTIST (tbc) selected cinemas. Raceway, Northants Picasso collected more Renoirs than GRIMSBY (tbc) any other artist. Matisse revered him. GODS OF EGYPT (tbc) Monet too. He was an artist that was Film instrumental in creating the SECRET IN THEIR EYES (tbc) Visual Arts Impressionist movement. He then EXPOSED (tbc) INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: totally rejected it and went in a com- THE FOREST (tbc) pletely new direction - with extraordi- WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR ROOTS TO SHOOTS (tbc) A selection of nary results. Wed 24 Feb, Warwick KING JACK (tbc) 2015 Featuring 100 amazing images, local, regional, national, international, Arts Centre, Coventry THE PROPAGANDA GAME (tbc) from fascinating animal behaviour to galactic and universal short films. breathtaking wild landscapes, Fri 5 Tues 23 Feb, Coal Vaults, Coventry CAROL (15) Drama set in the 1950s See Film section for previews on p40 Feb - Sun 10 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery about the relationship between a & Museum, Coventry IN THE HEART OF THE SEA (12a) A his- shop girl and a glamorous older torical seafaring tale in which a woman. Tues 23 - Wed 24 Feb, Wem NEW ART WEST MIDLANDS 2016 whaler and its crew encounter a Town Hall, North Shropshire; Fri 26 Events Exhibition of works by graduates huge white sperm whale. Stars Chris Feb, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington from various West Midlands art Hemsworth & Benjamin Walker. Tues Spa schools, Fri 12 Feb - Sun 15 May, 23 - Wed 24 Feb, Artrix, Bromsgrove CARAVAN, CAMPING AND MOTORHOME Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery UP (U) A heartfelt adventure about a SHOW The UK’s biggest start-of-sea- and Sat 13 Feb - Sun 10 Apr, mac, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (12a) 78-year-old balloon salesman who Sixto Rodriguez was a Detroit son showcase of caravans, Birmingham and also Fri 26 Feb - ties thousands of balloons to his motorhomes, campervans, trailer Sun 24 Apr, Herbert Art Gallery & folksinger who became a pop music house and floats away to fulfil his life- icon in South Africa and an inspira- tents and folding caravans, plus tents Museum, Coventry long dream of visiting South of all sizes and caravan holiday tion for generations. Rumoured to be America. But he later finds out he dead by suicide, a couple of fans in homes & lodges, Tues 23 - Sun 28 has unexpected company - an eight- Feb, NEC, B’ham the 90s decided to seek out the truth year-old boy who has stowed away... about their hero's fate... Wed 24 Feb, Sat 27 Feb, Roses Theatre, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Tewkesbury

THIS GREEN EARTH Malvern based artist Bridget Macdonald here sees her landscapes exhibited alongside DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG Chance to works by great historic painters practise drifting in safe and legal including Claude Lorrain, Samuel conditions on some of the Pod's 30 Palmer and Peter Paul Rubens, Sat acres of open tarmac, Wed 24 Feb, 13 Feb - Sat 25 June, Worcester City Santa Pod Raceway, Northants Museum & Art Gallery ROLLER BOOGIE Enjoy an evening of PAINTINGS BY GAVIN JANTJES Dramatic roller skating and cheesy disco, Fri paintings by Gavin Jantjes will be on 26 Feb, Fargo Village, Coventry display as part of a collaboration with WHAT UNIVERSITY LIVE? A new event the Black Artists and Modernism for 15-to-19-year-olds, to help them project, Sat 27 Feb - Sun 21 August, decide what to do after leaving Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, school, be it an apprenticeship, train- Coventry ing programme or university after A Levels, Fri 26 - Sat 27 Feb, NEC, Birmingham TWISTED BARREL BREWERY TOURS 2016 Meet the team behind Twisted Barrel Ale on this exclusive tour. Learn how the brewing process works and sample some of the fantastic ales and food on offer, Sat 27 Feb, Fargo Village, Coventry ASTRONAUT VISIT - DON THOMAS The National Space Centre hosts a very special visit from former NASA Astronaut Donald A Thomas, Sat 27 Second in the ‘Korabra’ series 1986 by Feb, National Space Centre, Gavin Jantjes Leicester

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