Cover April 2019.qxp_Birmingham Cover 21/03/2019 16:31 Page 1

DEMETRI MARTINN ATAT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THE ALEXANDRA THEATRETRE

BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON APRIL 2019 Birmingham ISSUE 400 APRIL 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

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AMERICAN IDIOT Green Day musical returns to the Midlands BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK Raymond Gubbay F/P April 2019.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 09:47 Page 1 Contents April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 14:51 Page 2

April 2019

Contents

Hair The Musical - 50th anniversary production visits The Alexandra Theatre... feature page 22

Shappi Khorsandi Les Misérables The Lost Kingdom the list

brings her Skittish Warrior tour blockbuster musical returns to animatronic Ice Age experience Your 16-page to the city’s theatre at the Botanical Gardens week-by-week listings guide page 21 page 24 page 47 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 10. Food 18. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 37. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

@whatsonbrum fb.com/whatsonbirmingham @whatsonmediagroup Birmingham What’s On Magazine Birmingham What’s On Magazine What’s On Media Group

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss, Tom Silverton Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:56 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

State-of-the-art marine rescue facility opens at the National Sea Life Centre The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham is this month opening a state-of-the-art marine rescue facility following multi-million pound investment and an extensive remodelling of the popular visitor attrac- tion. Rescued mammals will take up residency in a newly engineered open-to-the-public environment which will span two floors of the venue. The new facility has been carefully designed and constructed to emulate the natural ocean habitat that mammals are accustomed to. Atmospheric effects in the themed area will help in creating a replica environment to further enhance the experience. Commenting on the new attraction, Amy Langham, General Manager at the venue, said: “We’re really proud and passionate about the new facility, and the investment ploughed into the development is testa- ment to the core values of the business. With the current global envi- ronmental situation, animals now need support more than ever before to protect their welfare, and the opening of our new facility will allow us to support those in need with expert care.” For further information or to book tickets, visit sealife.co.uk/birming- ham

Kitty Café to open at their careers, Summer Street - The Hilarious Riverdance back in Brum Aussie Musical! is promising A reinvention of Riverdance described by its Grand Central Station ‘sun, songs and plenty of nostalgia’. producers as ‘powerful and stirring’ is stop- Feline like a cuppa? Birmingham cat lovers The show runs at the OJS from Friday 10 to ping off in Birmingham next year as part of can enjoy the purr-fect tea & coffee-drinking Sunday 12 May. experience from next month, when Kitty Cafe the Grammy Award-winning show’s 25th an- opens its new premises at the city’s Grand niversary celebration. Riverdance - The New Central Station. Handmaid’s Tale author 25th Anniversary Show runs at the Alexandra Commenting on the news, Kitty Café said: Theatre from 6 to 9 April 2020. Tickets are “We’ve been embraced with open arms by Margaret to visit the city now on sale at atgtickets.com the people of Nottingham and Leeds, and The author of The Handmaid’s Tale, novelist hope the lovely people of Birmingham will do Margaret Atwood, will stop off at Birming- the same. Our opening is expected for the ham’s Symphony Hall in the autumn as part middle of May, with lots of exciting an- of a promotional tour for the book’s eagerly nouncements coming soon!” anticipated sequel, The Testaments. During her second-city visit, Margaret will talk about her career, her range of works, and why she’s returned to the handmaid’s story 34 years after her seminal novel was pub- New all-male youth lished... Atwood visits Birmingham on 28 October. The Testaments is published by Vin- company set to launch tage on 10 September. Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre is this month hosting the launch of an all-male youth performance initiative. Man Made Youth Company aims to inspire and empower local young men (aged be- tween 14 and 21) via a programme of high- quality dance training, choreography workshops, performance opportunities, digi- Aussie soap opera comes tal arts and films. The launch event takes to the Old Joint Stock... place on Friday 26 April and features dance A new show celebrating the 1990s heyday of performances, screenings of short dance Australian television soap operas is stopping films and the opportunity to sign up for the off at Birmingham’s Old Joint Stock (OJS) pilot programme, which runs from next Theatre next month. Focusing on the at- month until July... For more information, visit tempts of four Aussie soap stars to resurrect macbirmingham.co.uk 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:56 Page 2

First Word

Lichfield Festival announces shows A concert celebrating Ivor Novello, choral music from Voces 8 and a performance by Kathryn Tickell’s new folk su- pergroup, The Darkening (pic- tured), all feature in Lichfield Festival’s 2019 line-up. The event gives a nod to Brexit as well, courtesy of a ‘farewell to Europe’ theme, and also celebrates the 50th anniver- sary of the moon landing. The festival takes place at var- ious venues across the city and beyond from 5 to 13 July. For further details, visit lich- fieldfestival.org At the double! Iconic musicals return to the Hippodrome Tickets will this month go on sale for blockbuster musicals Mamma Mia! (pictured) and We Will Rock You, both of which will be visiting Birmingham Hippodrome next year. “The arrival of these two major musical juggernauts in 2020 continues Birmingham Hippodrome’s reputation for bringing the very best in live entertainment to Midlands audiences,” said Fiona Allan, the theatre’s artistic director & chief executive. “Both We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia! have en- joyed sell-out success here in previous years, and I have no doubt that returning audience members, or those visiting for the very first time, will be up on their feet at the conclusion of these two block- buster productions.” For more information, visit birminghamhippodrome.com

Large-scale dance show at the Hipp BCMG appoints A film festival with a difference... Birmingham Hippodrome and executive director Birmingham’s ever-popular Flatpack Festival makes a welcome Rosie Kay Dance Company Birmingham Contemporary return to city venues at the end of this month. will present a large-scale pub- Music Group (BCMG) has ap- Described as ‘a film festival with a difference’, the event runs lic performance at the theatre pointed Seb Huckle as its exec- from Tuesday 30 April to Monday 6 May and features screenings, on Tuesday 21 May. utive director. events, installations, walks and parties. The show will mark the Reporting to Artistic Director Highlights of the 2019 festival include King Rocker - an exclusive premiere of Rosie Kay’s 10 Stephan Meier, Seb will have taste of a new documentary about post-punk legends The Soldiers production, a show overall responsibility for the Nightingales - and A Moment Of Madness - an immersive theatre designed to build a greater production and delivery of piece in which the viewer is an operative commissioned to stake understanding between the BCMG’s artistic and business out a car park. Interactive family playground Colour Box and new public and the Army. plans. archive strand Time Machine also feature. “I’m thrilled to be able to pre- Commenting on his appoint- For more information, visit flatpackfestival.org.uk sent an opportunity for people ment, Seb said: “BCMG is an from all backgrounds to come energetic and forward-looking together and create a public ensemble, commissioning, performance,” says Rosie. promoting and above all per- “The West Midlands has such forming the outstanding music strong enthusiasm for dance, created in our times. I am look- but to keep this scene fresh ing forward to taking on new and engaging, we need to con- challenges in the role of execu- tinually open it up for differ- tive director, working along- ent communities to get side my colleagues to realise involved.” the ambitious plans that will For more information, visit continue to drive forward new birminghamhippodrome.com music to new destinations.”

whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:56 Page 3

First Word

Igglepiggle and friends back in Brum Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are heading back to Birmingham this summer to star in brand new In The Night Garden... Live! show, Igglepiggle's Busy Day!. Now in its 10th year, In The Night Garden... Live! has been seen by more than one million people across the UK. The show is based on the top-rated CBeebies television series of the same name and stops off at Birmingham Repertory The- atre from 31 July to 4 August. For more information and to book tickets, visit birmingham-rep.co.uk

New partnership Birmingham arts venue to host season The Big Lunch for city dance of controversial films & TV shows The Big Lunch, a nationwide an- school Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre nual event that provides people with the opportunity to come to- Resident Choreographer of the will next month host a series of screenings and special events focus- gether, share food and get to know Royal Ballet, Wayne McGregor their local community better, is CBE, has become the vice presi- ing on some of the most controver- sial films and television once again taking place this year dent of Birmingham’s Elmhurst (Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 June). Ballet School. programmes ever created. Down With This Sort Of Thing: Film Commenting on the event, its am- Commenting on the appoint- bassador, comedian Jo Brand, ment, the school’s Principal, & Television Beyond The Pale will feature movies and shows which said: “Lots of vulnerable members Jessica Wheeler, said: “We are of our society can go weeks with- thrilled to welcome Wayne as have provoked debate, challenged attitudes, been significantly cut or out seeing or talking to another vice president. Our students person, so anything that encour- will benefit immeasurably from even banned outright. Comprising selected material from the last 90-plus years, the event ages a bit of human contact gets a the opportunity to work with thumbs-up from me.” him and his company. Wayne is features screenings of Stanley Kubrick’s self-banned movie, A widely regarded as one of the Clockwork Orange, and the Channel Four series Queer As Folk, foremost choreographers work- episodes of which will be presented alongside a Q&A with the Fun in the mud ing today, and this partnership show’s writer/producer Russell T Davies (pictured). Birmingham Children’s Hospital marks an extraordinarily excit- For more information, including dates and times of screenings, Charity is teaming up with Mud ing time in Elmhurst’s history.” visit macbirmingham.co.uk Kids - ‘the ultimate children’s play- ground’ - to help raise vital funds Years & Years to headline Brum Pride for the sick youngsters being cared for at the hospital. Organisers of Birmingham Pride have announced that Years & Taking place at Umberslade Farm Years will headline next month's two-day festival. Park, just outside Birmingham, on The synth-pop trio, which consists of Olly Alexander, Mikey 18 and 19 May, Mud Kids features a Goldsworthy and Emre Türkmen, 3km course of climbing walls, have a string of hit singles to their crawling stations, slides and hay name, including Eyes Shut, Desire, bales, all of which participants Sunlight, Sanctify and the chart-top- will tackle while slushing their ping King. way through plenty of mud! They will perform at Pride (which The event is open to children aged takes place in Birmingham’s Gay four and older, as well as parents Village across the Spring Bank Holi- and guardians... To find out more, day weekend) on Saturday 25 May. visit bch.org.uk/mud-kids, mud- Tickets are available from kids.co.uk or call 0121 333 8506. birminghampride.com

6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:56 Page 4 Readers' Awards 2019 Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:20 Page 1

Readers’ What’sOn Awards WINNERS announced... With over 60,000 votes cast in the What’seaders’ On AwardsR 2019 - we are delighted to announce your winners...

Best Midlands Large Theatre Best Festive Show Best Midlands Arts/ Cultural Festival WINNER A Christmas Carol - The RSC RUNNER-UP The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - Best Pantomime In The Midlands 2018/19 WINNER Peter Pan - Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Sleeping Beauty - Wolverhampton Grand WINNER Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Wolverhampton Grand Best Amateur Production WINNER Birmingham Comedy Festival WINNER Birmingham & Midland RUNNER-UP Lichfield Arts’ Fuse Festival Best Touring Musical Operatic Society: Chitty Chitty Bang WINNER Matilda Bang Best Exhibition RUNNER-UP Mamma Mia RUNNER-UP Get Your Wigle On: Grease WINNER Dippy The Dinosaur - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Best Touring Play Best Classical Production RUNNER-UP LEGO: Brick History - WINNER War Horse inc Opera Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery RUNNER-UP Blood Brothers WINNER CBSO Spectacular Classics Best Midlands Live Music Venue RUNNER-UP City Of Birmingham Choir: Best Home-Produced Show Handel’s Messiah In The Midlands Best Orchestra/Choir

WINNER Symphony Hall, Birmingham RUNNER-UP O2 Academy, Birmingham WINNER The Wizard of Oz - Best Midlands Music Festival Birmingham WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic RUNNER-UP A Christmas Carol - RSC Orchestra WINNER Moseley Folk Festival RUNNER-UP CBSO RUNNER-UP Download Festival Best Kids Show Best Dance Production Best Midlands Chef WINNER The Snowman RUNNER-UP Elf: A Christmas WINNER Birmingham Royal Ballet’s WINNER Glynn Purnell (Purnell’s, Bham) Spectacular The Nutcracker RUNNER-UP Josh Crouch (CSONS, RUNNER-UP Matthew Bourne’s Shrewsbury) Cinderella 8 whatsonlive.co.uk Readers' Awards 2019 Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:20 Page 2

Readers’ Awards

Best Midlands Street Food Vendor Best Midlands Comedy Night Best Market in the Midlands WINNER Comedy Carousel at The Glee Club, Birmingham RUNNER-UP Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Best Midlands Food Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival WINNER Dick’s Smokehouse RUNNER-UP WINNER Shrewsbury Market Hall RUNNER-UP Urban Cheesecake Ludlow Food RUNNER-UP Bullring Indoor Market, Festival Birmingham and the winners in your region... Birmingham Best Arts Festival Best Independent Coffee Shop WINNER Birmingham Comedy Festival Best Arts/Theatre Venue RUNNER-UP Birmingham International WINNER Birmingham Repertory Theatre Dance Festival RUNNER-UP Midlands Arts Centre Best Food Festival/Event Best Live Music Venue

WINNER Cherry Red’s Cafe Bar RUNNER-UP Damascena Coffee House

Best Outdoor Event

WINNER Digbeth Dining Club WINNER Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath RUNNER-UP BBC Good Food Show RUNNER-UP The Jam House Best Independent Bar/Pub Best Visitor Attraction WINNER The Old Joint Stock, Temple Row RUNNER-UP The Plough, Harborne

Best Independent Restaurant

WINNER Frankfurt Christmas Markets RUNNER-UP Magical Lantern Festival Best Indoor Event WINNER British Athletics Indoor Championships WINNER Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery RUNNER-UP Crufts RUNNER-UP Cadbury World Best Gallery Exhibition Venue Best Music Festival WINNER Purnell’s in Cornwall Street WINNER Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery WINNER Moseley Folk Festival RUNNER-UP The Meat Shack RUNNER-UP Midlands Arts Centre RUNNER-UP Birmingham Pride

You can find a full list of winners at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:29 Page 1

Food

items, head down to China Nikka wasn’t in any way over- Town, as you’ll find a vast selec- powering. tion of more flavoursome options To accompany the main courses, at a fraction of the price. They we shared a duck egg and were, however, quickly devoured sausage fried rice at £5 and Sin- and enjoyed by both of us. gapore noodles with prawn, The lobster and prawn toast was chicken and pork at £11. They palatable - the addition of the certainly weren’t a necessity - we lobster was very much in the had definitely ordered more than spirit of the upmarket brand - enough food - but were very tasty and the short rib was truly deli- all the same. cious - a fantastic recommenda- Our ‘banquet’ left us suitably full tion from our knowledgable - too full, in fact, for dessert, waitress. which is a rarity. The dessert For our mains, we chose from a plates we saw on neighbouring selection of meat, seafood and tables looked like works of art - vegetable dishes, including: the most aesthetically pleasing Thai-style crispy monkfish with I’ve seen in quite a while. Op- lime, shallots and lemongrass; tions included: Asian pear crum- red pepper lamb chops with hot ble; chocolate, Szechuan & sour pumpkin; and king oyster strawberry and banana caramel mushroom hotpot with baby dessert wontons; and White spinach, silken tofu and yuzu Chocolate Igloos featuring blood truffle soy (a dish suitable for orange, vanilla biscuit and co- REVIEW: Tattu vegetarians, vegans and those conut snow. Contemporary Chinese cuisine in a city who follow a gluten-free diet). Throughout the evening, our centre restaurant with a real ‘wow’ factor We decided to push the boat out waitress, Hannah, was polite, at- and order the sirloin of wagyu tentive and informative - an all- beef with Nikka-marinated foie round gem. She absolutely made Modern Chinese restaurant Tattu beef fillet and caramel soy with gras, green bean and truffle our night and is a real credit to opened in Birmingham in Jan- shiitake and asparagus, and saf- sesame soy (at a staggering £70) the Tattu brand. uary this year. fron black cod served with miso, and a whole lobster with wasabi Tattu successfully boasts a con- Already operating in Manchester Chinese sausage and razor clam. gratin, lemon and lime (£55). The a la carte menu is made up temporary take on a much-loved and Leeds, the prestigious brand The latter was, without a shadow of multiple sections: bites, dim style of food. On the whole, you delivers contemporary Chinese of a doubt, the nicest lobster sum and small plates, ranging can find better Asian-inspired cuisine by fusing traditional dish I’ve ever had the pleasure of from £7 to £15; mains, ranging cuisine elsewhere, but the pre- flavours with modern cooking eating. The creamy and subtly from £14 to £70; and a selection sentation is exquisite, the decor methods to create ‘a unique and flavoured wasabi gratin and the of set menus which cost from is divine and the dining experi- exciting dining experience’. citrus flavours perfectly comple- £40 to £75 per head. ence is a thoroughly enjoyable Occupying a charming space mented the sweet, succulent lob- one. It is pricey, so it’s maybe To kick off proceedings, we or- within Birmingham city centre’s ster chunks. It was truly one to save for a special occa- dered a mixed dim sum basket - historic Grand Hotel develop- heavenly. sion. However, I do recommend a featuring two Thai chicken, two ment, the 150-cover split-level The sirloin of wagyu beef wasn't visit at least once - it’s certainly Har Gau XO and two Szechuan restaurant boasts award-winning the nicest cut of meat I’ve ever got the ‘wow’ factor. pork - lobster and prawn toast interior design and astute atten- eaten in my life, which, at a price Lauren Foster with sweet & sour chilli sauce, tion to detail - think low lighting, of £70, was what I would expect Peking duck buns with hoisin, dark walls, marble-look flooring, it to be, but there were certainly spring onion and cucumber, and, Food: nnnnn and a large, pink cherry blossom no complaints - it was delicious. on recommendation from our Service: nnnnn tree. The decor is simply stun- The steak was seasoned nicely waitress, sticky beef short rib Ambience: nnnnn ning, making Tattu one of the and cooked perfectly, resulting in with soy, chilli and crispy shal- Overall value nnnnn most ‘Instagrammable’ restau- a melt-in-the-mouth sensation, lots. OVERALL nnnnn rants I've ever visited. Fortu- and the truffle sesame soy sauce nately, there’s no phone or Although there was absolutely was rich, thick and magically Tattu internet signal in the venue, so nothing wrong with either the flavoursome. Widely regarded as 18 Barwick Street bar the odd picture, phone use is buns - which impressively fea- a luxury food, the addition of the Birmingham kept to an absolute minimum - tured Tattu branding - or the dim foie gras was spot on. I’m not a B3 2NT just as it should be. sum, if you want outstanding huge fan of whisky, so fortu- Tel: 0121 236 5556 Tattu’s signature dishes include versions of these delectable nately for me, the taste from the 10 whatsonlive.co.uk Alexandra F/P April 2019.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 15:27 Page 1 Captain Corelli.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:31 Page 1

Love in a time of war

12 whatsonlive.co.uk Captain Corelli.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:31 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Rollercoaster love story Captain Corelli’s Mandolin arrives in Birmingham next month… What’s On spoke to distinguished Scottish playwright Rona Munro, who has adapted Louis de Bernières’ popular novel for the stage…

The stage production of Captain Corelli’s So how does Rona feel the climate for UK cause I’ve been around for a number of years Mandolin begins its UK tour this month, 25 playwrights has changed during the course of now, I’m lucky enough to be able to pick and years after the publication of the Louis de her extensive career? choose the stuff I’ll really enjoy. I think the Bernières novel on which the show is based. reason I’ve worked with so many different “I’m a Scottish playwright, and I would actu- Set on Cephalonia during the German/Italian genres is simply because I enjoy so many dif- ally say that the climate for playwrights is dif- World War Two occupation of the picturesque ferent things, so sci-fi is definitely up there ferent north and south of the border. North of Greek island, the book tells the story of local with doing something like The James Plays. I the border, what’s been really interesting is woman Pelagia and her lover - the Italian love a diverse range of theatre!” the upsurge in new writing by Scottish play- captain, Antonio Corelli. wrights; writing that’s found an audience on So what’s been the highlight of her career up “I think it’s a wonderful love story, and peo- a large scale. I think this new situation is also to this point? ple always love a good love story,” says Rona quite fragile, though, and I think there’s a Munro, who’s adapted the novel for the stage. “The James Plays, for sure. They were com- danger that it will evaporate again. “The book really evokes the landscape and missioned by the National Theatre of Scot- culture of Greece, so I think that, particularly “Elsewhere in the UK, I think the industry land and ended up being a co-production for people in the rest of Europe who love has become increasingly risk-averse to new with International Festival and going to Greece, it encapsulates everything work on a large scale. For example, some- the National Theatre of Great Britain. They that we love about the country. But it’s also thing like an adaptation of a very famous were a trilogy of history plays about the three telling quite a difficult and potentially tragic novel, which is obviously a wonderful project Stewart Kings, James I, James II and James story about some of the events of World War to work on, is a safe option with an existing III. They were rehearsed and produced at the Two. Ultimately, though, the story comes out market, whereas a new play, by whoever, is same time, which we discovered no one had in a place of hope, without being too senti- less of a safe bet. I think the route to the actually ever done before. People have done mental. I think that’s why it’s appealed to so larger venues for contemporary playwrights trilogies where they do one, then the next the many people for so long.” with their original work is quite difficult, year after and so on, but we were just plonk- which I think is a shame because theatre is ing them all out there at the same time, work- Rona was thrilled to be approached by pro- one of the most exciting artforms around.’ ing with one ensemble of actors from March ducer Neil Laidlaw and director Melly Still to to October. It was just huge and seemingly adapt the novel: “The opportunity to work Rona’s extensive CV includes working with impossible to do, yet we managed it. I think with Melly was a huge draw, as I’d worked Ian Rankin to put Rebus: Long Shadows on the scale of the project and working with that with her on an adaptation of Watership Down stage. The show premiered at the Birming- amazing group of people was just the best ex- a few years ag ham Repertory Theatre, and the venue has o. Then I read Captain Corelli perience I’ve ever had. properly and really absorbed it. The scale of also co-produced Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. “I’m trying to get another James Play out the book really caught me. “While working with them repeatedly has not there at the moment. Then I’m doing a wee “The elements of the story that are so diffi- been decided by me, I think The REP was bit of telly and film and a couple more theatre cult to adapt for stage, which are perhaps the very much on the front foot with Rebus and projects. I’m doing more authored pieces for more violent parts, was part of the appeal of so was very happy to be involved when ap- the stage, rather than adaptations, which is taking on the challenge. Melly is a director proached about Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, actually quite exciting - it’s really nice to shift who does the most extraordinary things with which is wonderful. I think what’s great from one to the other. They work different actors, movement and music. We’ve just got about Birmingham Rep over the last few sets of writing muscles!” the most wonderful music from composer years is that they’ve built up an amazingly di- Harry Blake as well. All I have to do is put in verse programme of theatre. Rebus and Rona is confident that Captain Corelli’s Man- a very simple stage direction like, ‘At this Corelli are quite different! Looking at the dolin will be a terrific production, and has point, 40 German Panzers appear over the work they’ve initiated themselves, both on some final summarising words to encourage ridge and obliterate the Greek army’, and the big stage and the smaller stage, I think Birmingham theatre-goers to get along to the then that goes over to Melly. She always does one of the things they’ve done is produce a show: “What audiences are going to see is 15 something incredible that allows the audi- really exciting programme, so there’s always actors creating the most amazing, exciting, ence to experience scenes that many would room for a bit of everything in it.” terrifying, heart-wrenching spectacle that think couldn’t be done justice to on stage.” they could possibly imagine. I’ve been in the Alongside theatre adaptations like Corelli rehearsal room, and they really are doing the Rona believes the story still has resonances and her own plays, Rona has also written for most extraordinary things. You will definitely today: ‘I think the themes of Captain Corelli’s Doctor Who, both the 20th century series and have the most incredible emotional experi- Mandolin definitely apply to the concerns of the 21st century reboot. She has some inter- ence if you get a ticket!” 2019. A peaceful, idyllic community, albeit esting theories as to why her writing reper- with its flaws, is exposed to the very worst of toire includes so many different genres: “I human nature. This community is also ex- think it’s partly because of the typical posed to the very, very best of human nature. writer’s terror that if I don’t say yes to every- Captain Corelli’s Mandolin shows at It’s the interplay between the best and the thing, I’ll probably starve! Anytime anyone Birmingham Repertory Theatre from worst that humans are capable of which I comes to me with a project, I’m not going to Wednesday 29 May to Saturday 15 June. think is so relevant to this point in history.” say no - I’ve got bills to pay! But mainly be-

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Classical April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:46 Page 1 Classical April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:46 Page 2

Classical

Ex Cathedra: Bach’s St Matthew Passion Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 19 April A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s moving retelling of Christ’s betrayal and death continues to be one of classical music’s most profound experiences. Sung in German with English surtitles, St Matthew Passion is here performed by Ex Cathedra’s choir & Baroque orchestra and Academy of Vocal Music, performing together under the direction of conductor Jeffrey Skidmore.

Franco Fagioli - Vinci And Handel , Sun 7 April Combining superb technical agility, incredible tonal variety and impressive vocal range, Franco Fagioli is the brightest of stars in the countertenor constellation. The 38-year-old Argentinian is also one of modern-day music’s finest performers of Handel’s arias - several of which are featured in this not-to-be-missed concert, alongside works by the composer’s lesser-known contemporary, Leonardo Vinci. Franco is joined for the performance, his first ever in Birmingham, by prize-winning orchestra Il Pomo d'Oro.

City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra: Belshazzar’s Feast Collegium Vocale Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 6 April München When the often controversial and ever-dynamic William Piatti String Quartet Walton was commissioned to tell the Biblical story of the St Chad’s Cathedral, Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 5 April Birmingham, Fri 26 April downfall of Babylon, he knew he’d been offered a not-to- These ever-rising stars of the classical be-missed opportunity to go for broke and produce music scene have caused a significant stir something both brazen and stupendous. The resulting over the last few years, providing passion- composition, premiered in 1931, was exactly that - ate interpretations of music from across although it didn’t meet with universal approval, the the spectrum of quartet writing. Synod of the Church of England considering its text in- Prize winners in the 2015 Interna- appropriate for performance in cathedrals. As a result, it tional String Quartet Competition, the was more than two decades before the piece was per- Late Romantic, 20th cen- ensemble take their name from 19th cen- formed at the Three Choirs Festival. The Worcester Music tury and contemporary a tury cellist Alfredo Piatti, a leading profes- Festival, meanwhile, lifted its ban on the work only as cappella choral works sor and exponent of quartet playing at the recently as 1975. are the stock-in-trade of Royal Academy of Music. John Wilson conducts a concert that also features the Collegium Vocale Their Bromsgrove stop-off sees them per- Copeland’s Appalachian Spring, Barber’s Violin Con- München chamber choir. forming works by Haydn, Schubert, and certo, and contributions from violinist James Ehnes Formed in 1994, the Joseph Phibbs. (pictured) and baritone Božidar Smiljani choir is here performing ć. a free concert that in- cludes a retiring collec- tion in aid of St Chad's Sanctuary, to generate funds for its ongoing work providing practical and welfare support for asylum seekers and refugees.

whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Mott The Hoople.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 16:26 Page 1

16 whatsonlive.co.uk Mott The Hoople.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 16:26 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

IAN HUNTER What’s On catches up with the Mott The Hoople frontman ahead of the band’s Birmingham gig

While Shropshire may not be a hotbed of Bowie on hearing that they were planning to was a big hangout for boys from the Priory music, it is the birthplace of one of rock- split up. Boys School, which was just around the cor- ’n’roll’s most distinctive performers - Ian ner from Barker Street.” “Bowie offered us a couple of tunes which Hunter. were okay, but we were writing okay stuff. All As for the inspiration for Irene Wild, the Born in Oswestry but now living in Connecti- The Young Dudes came along and it was like, song’s tale of unrequited love was based on cut, Ian is looking forward to returning to the ‘Good god, why do you want us to do this? Ian’s experiences with a real person: “Yeah, UK this month with Mott The Hoople, the leg- What an incredible song! Why are you giving she was absolutely gorgeous, and I never ac- endary band that left an indelible mark on it away?’ At the time, it saved our lives, but tually got to go out with her. She was going the rock world between 1969 and 1974. unfortunately it was also the beginning of the out with a friend of mine. His family owned a end for us. The band got a little disenchanted fruit & veg company in Shrewsbury, and I While the original Mott line-up has reformed because now we were a pop band. I wouldn’t was the go-between. I would send messages twice in the last decade, this tour will see a say we were glam, because we were too aver- from Pete to her and her to Pete, so I would change in personnel... age-looking, but we were flash, and it took be miserable in vain.” “There were two halves to Mott The Hoople,” off that way. While that experience ultimately proved frus- says Ian. “The first half finished in ’73, and “We lost either way. If we’d carried on as we trating, another connection during Ian’s ’74 to ’75 is the second half. This is with Ariel were, it wouldn’t have gone on much longer. teenage years had a major influence on his Bender [aka Luther Grosvenor] and Morgan But we had the hit, then we had a few more burgeoning musical development. Fisher.” hits after that, so we were suddenly a pop “There was this kid called Tony Wardle, who While Ian isn’t planning to reform Mott on a band. People were upset either way.” worked in an electrical shop and had a har- permanent basis - “We don’t want to run it Following the demise of Mott, Ian’s solo ca- monica band. That’s how I started, on a har- into the ground” - he sees this tour of the UK reer took off, with Once Bitten, Twice Shy be- monica with Tony! Gradually I persuaded and US as a chance to reward the patience of coming a top-20 hit in the UK and him that we could do a couple of guitar num- his bandmates from the latter Mott line-up. Rocks earning him the key to the city of bers during our harmonica show!” “In the first two get-togethers, with the origi- Cleveland in 1979. Alongside music, Ian also enjoys football and nal band, Morgan and Luther weren’t in- Forty years on, it appears that his creative is probably Shrewsbury Town Football Club’s volved. They came to the gigs and were great juices are a long way from drying up: “Lyri- most prestigious celebrity fan. When asked sports about it, and I thought, ‘If I ever get a cally, you can only go to the well so many which of his tunes he’d like to hear belting shot, we’ll do Morgan and Luther so that they times, but somehow, right now, I’m coming out before home games at Montgomery Wa- get their shot too. That’s basically why we’re up with stuff, and I’ll keep doing it for as long ters Meadow, the 79-year-old had a light- doing it.” as it keeps coming.” hearted message for the club’s current With Fisher now a resident of (Bender manager, Sam Ricketts: “I’d change Cleve- In the 1970s, Ian’s ‘lyrical well’ included lives in Worcester), Ian admits it’s been “a bit land Rocks. Maybe we should do a Shrews- teenage memories of his childhood in Shrop- of a drag when it comes to visas and all that bury Rocks? Ask old Ricketts if he wants me shire, with the song 23a Swan Hill recalling kind of thing,” but he’s nonetheless looking to do a Shrewsbury Rocks!” the address in Shrewsbury where he lived in forward to revisiting the final two Mott al- the first half of the 1950s. Irene Wild, mean- bums with his old muckers: “The Mott The while, referenced the town’s former bus sta- Hoople Live album came out in 1974. Half of it tion. Mott The Hoople appear at Symphony was done in London, the other half in New Hall, Birmingham, on Sunday 21 April. York. It’s a good live album. Also, The Hoople “My father was a policeman, and one of the album was released, but there’ll be a couple good things about policing was you got free The band are also performing a pre-tour of chestnuts in there from before.” housing, so my dad had 23a Swan Hill. warm-up show at The Assembly, Leaming- Barker Street was the bus station, and the ton Spa, on the 17th of this month, for One such chestnut will almost certainly be girls would come in from the Priory Girls which they’re making a limited number of All The Young Dudes, the 1972 single that be- School, which was then outside of town, so it tickets available. came the band’s first hit, donated by David whatsonlive.co.uk 17 GIGS April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:47 Page 1

Gigs

Sundara Karma O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 10 April English indie rock band Sundara Karma’s songs are personal reactions to art, literature and culture. They tackle topics from online self-obsession to consumer capitalism, the smokescreen of the nuclear family and the lies at the heart of the teenage dream. Frontman Oscar Pollock says: “It’s like there’s this weird, creepy clown who’s controlling everything and getting a real kick out of these bizarre things we humans are doing, and he’s saying to himself, ‘Oh my god, look what I can make them do now!’”

written to be a ‘gay’ anthem song, Spend Vök The Love is our new dance song, which tack- The Cuban Embassy, Birmingham, les the theme of anti-consumerism. There’s Sun 14 April a humour in it and a hypocrisy.” Icelandic electronic dream-pop trio Vok re- Recorded in early 2018 in Vok’s home studio leased their sophomore full-length LP, ̈ In in Reykjavik, and in London’s̈ Notting Hill, The Dark, on the first of this month. each of In Thé Dark’s songs has its own de- Commenting on new single Spend The Love, finable character or theme. frontwoman Margret Ran said: “Originally ́ ́ Apre The Specials Cara Dillon Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Tues 2 April O2 Academy, Birmingham, Fri 26 April Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 24 April Apre are an English alternative pop duo This year is the 40th anniversary not only of Once Cara Dillon had decided she was hap- formed in Canterbury in 2017 and featuring Coventry’s legendary Two-Tone record label piest singing the traditional Irish songs with Charlie Brown and Jules Konieczny. but also of The Specials. which she’d grown up, there was simply no The duo have released two successful EPs - Widely considered to be one of the most stopping her. Setting off on a journey that The Movement Of Time and Drum Machines electrifying, influential and important saw her become one of the UK’s finest fe- Killed Music - and return to the Hare & bands of all time, the group recently re- male vocalists, she developed a style of Hounds this month following recent support leased new album Encore - featuring their singing that allowed her to blend the tradi- slots with Sea Girls, Sam Fender and Fickle first new music in 37 years - to great critical tional with the contemporary, ensuring not Friends. acclaim. Within a week of its release, it had only that her sound evolved but that her fan- reached the number one spot on the official base did too. albums chart. As well as a selection of favourites from her “Recording the album has been one of the previous releases, Cara here performs mate- most amazing trips of our lives,” The Spe- rial from new album Wanderer. cials told OfficialCharts.com. “It couldn’t have been better timing. A real thanks to the fans who have stayed with us for all this Daryl Hall & John Oates time. We all share in this, so thank you.” , Birmingham, Wed 24 April Daryl Hall & John Oates were signed to At- lantic by Ahmet Ertegun in the 1970s and have sold more albums than any other duo in music history. Among the most sampled artists of the modern day, their impact can be heard everywhere, from boy band har- monies to neo-soul to rap-rock fusion. KT Tunstall supports them on their first UK tour in five years.

18 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:47 Page 2 Sean McLoughlin Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:48 Page 1 Sean McLoughlin Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:48 Page 2

by Dave Freak

Sean McLoughlin The comedian chats about podcasts, the Bible, touring with Ricky Gervais and losing a job to a YouTuber with the same name... After more than a decade of writing well-re- I talk a fair bit about all of those things, as Bible in a hotel room about a year ago and ceived shows, Sean McLoughlin's latest, Hail well as broader subjects like technology and was reminded of what an objectively weird Mary, sees the comedian on the verge of a religion. I was raised pretty Catholic and talk and cool book it is. I knew I wanted to keep breakthrough. a bit about that as well. working with Eliot, so I suggested we try and take the book and turn it into a comedy pod- Sean recently opened for Ricky Gervais on How was supporting Ricky Gervais on his cast, with one of the positives being that the tour, makes a cameo in Gervais's hit Netflix Humanity tour? show, by its nature, would have a clear end- series, After Life, and has picked up unilat- I had a blast. I got to travel around Europe point. The main thing we try to stress is that eral rave reviews for Hail Mary. His podcast, playing ludicrously large venues and staying it’s not a show about religion at all, it’s more Sean And Eliot Read The Bible, with Eliot J in significantly less shit hotels than I was like a review show that only ever covers the Fallows, continues to attract more listeners used to. Ultimately, I got to play to the same same book. The podcast has actually had than its Chortle Award-nominated predeces- brilliant crowds as Ricky without the hassle much higher numbers than the last one, sor, Heal Your Wounds. of actually becoming successful. Isn’t that the which is surprising because I assumed fans The only blip in Sean’s ascent seems to be dream? of the Bible would likely be put off by all the getting booked to appear in a new teenage toilet humour, and fans of the last podcast Any backstage gossip you can share from comedy movie, only to have his appearance would be put off by the fact that we’re read- that tour? cancelled just days before he was due to start ing the ******* Bible! I guess we’re catering filming. The cancellation came after the I can tell you that Ricky usually has two types to the strange cross-section of society that’s movie's producers realised that they'd acci- of peanuts in his dressing room. interested in both. dentally booked ‘rising comedian Sean You replaced your Heal Your Wounds pod- Is there much humour in the Bible? McLoughlin’ rather than ‘YouTube superstar cast with Sean And Eliot Read The Bible It really differs from book to book, but in gen- with 22 million subscribers Sean McLough- last year. Had Heal Your Wounds run its lin’, aka JackSepticEye. eral the high death count and the amount of course? incest that’s taking place usually means there As Sean (the comedian, not the YouTuber) Yeah, I think it had. Heal Your Wounds was a are a few things to bounce off. says prior to appearing at the Glee Club in great little podcast, but it was a slog having Birmingham, that was “a remarkable kick in to organise guests, let alone actually hosting Do you have a favourite book in the Bible? the balls”. and making an episode. It was also, surpris- The Book of Job. It’s the story of a rich man ingly, a hard show for some acts to get their having his fortune and his family taken away Great story about the JackSepticEye confu- heads around. A few comedians didn’t under- by God as a test, and the existential despair sion. Was there any fallout/sackings? stand that it wasn’t an interview show, it was this throws him into. The vast majority of the Yeah, it was what we in the entertainment in- sort of a high-concept conversation led by a story is just a transcript of a conversation Job dustry call ‘a massive f*** up’. To my knowl- man who didn’t want to do a podcast. Maybe has with his friends about his faith, the futil- edge there were no sackings or fallout - apart I found it so exhausting because the idea was ity of existence and the pain of being a from my poor bank account - but it did too complicated, but I still think the 25 human. It’s a really haunting and powerful emerge that the other/real Sean McLoughlin’s episodes we did were really funny. Strangely piece of writing which absolutely makes up agent used to be mine! The whole thing felt enough, the show got nominated for a Chor- for a lot of the plodding crap that surrounds like an episode of The Twilight Zone. tle Award about two months after packing the it. You’re currently on tour with your sixth whole thing in, so after that it probably show, Hail Mary. Can you tell us a bit would’ve all felt a bit easier. However, by this Sean McLoughlin’s Hail Mary visits the about it? point, myself and Eliot (my 84-year-old co- Glee Club, Birmingham, on Tuesday 9 host) had moved on and started an even more April. For tickets and more information, It’s a standup show with me telling a bunch ridiculous endeavour…. visit glee.co.uk of jokes about all the things that have hap- pened in my life recently. As I was writing it, I Which leads us directly to Sean And Eliot Sean And Eliot Read The Bible is available turned 30, fell in love and got repeatedly mis- Read The Bible. How did that come about? via all major platforms now, including taken for a YouTube gamer with my name! So The short answer is, I re-read parts of the Spotify, iTunes and AudioBoom. For details, visit .com/biblepod Comedy April copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:51 Page 1

Comedy

Demetri Martin Stewart Francis The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Oakengates Theatre@The Place, Telford, Wed 17 April Fri 12 April American comedian Demetri Martin has an Appearances on TV shows like The Comedy interesting way of delivering his deadpan Store, Mock The Week and 8 Out Of 10 Cats one-liners; he likes to accompany them with have ensured that Canadian funnyman music, reaching for all manner of instru- Stewart Francis has become one of the most ments (including the harmonica, glocken- recognisable faces on the UK comedy cir- spiel, toy bells, ukulele and tambourine) as cuit. When he's not behind the microphone he pumps out gag after glorious gag. casting his comic pearls of wisdom, he's Heavily influenced by Steven Wright, another likely to be found pursuing one of his other master of the deadpan delivery, Demetri is careers as an actor and writer. nowadays looking to connect with his audi- Oh, and he’s not to be confused with Stu ence in a different way: “I love one-liners, Francis, who used to present Crackerjack but I’d also like to be able to talk about how I and wasn't very funny. feel. I’ve gotta dig deeper to be able to do that kind of below-the-neck stuff, though, be- cause I find it hard to get comedy out of it.” Jokes include: “When you have a fat friend, Tommy Tiernan there are no see-saws, only catapults,” and “I Birmingham Town Hall, Tues 9 April got some new pyjamas with pockets in them, With sold-out shows which is great because, before that, I used to across the world, it’s have to hold stuff when I slept.” fair to say Tommy Tier- nan is a hugely success- ful Irish export - albeit an often controversial Jess Robinson Ladies Of Laughter one. Most notably he Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Sat 13 April; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 8 April once found himself in Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 26 April “We’re still in a country where white men hot water for comments dominate many industries,” says BBC he made about the Holocaust, Jews and the Asian Network’s Noreen Khan, who hosts death of Christ. And he’s not always been this touring show, “so it’s very important the comedian of choice with parents of chil- to have visible, diverse role models to help dren with Down Syndrome either... inspire others and to reflect the world we With his gag-bag also including jokes which live in.” Ladies Of Laughter certainly does take as their subject matter a methadone that, providing a showcase for three user, eastern European immigrant accents hugely talented female comedians in Es- and a film idea about gay traveller space- ther Manito (pictured), Glenda Jaxson and men seeking a cure for homosexuality, an Sukhb Ojla. The show lineup has been evening in his company certainly has the known to change at the last minute, but potential to be a bit challenging. whoever turns up, an evening of high- That said, Tiernan’s not one of Ireland’s top quality comedy is pretty much a guaran- comedians without very good reason... As one of the voices behind Dead Ringers, tee. Spitting Image and Horrible Histories, as well as numerous radio and TV ads, Jess Robinson has secured herself a fine reputa- Angela Barnes tion as a brilliant impressionist. The Brewhouse Arts Centre, But there’s a professional downside to Burton-upon-Trent, Fri 5 April being so successful: “Sometimes I wish I When Angela Barnes’s inspirational father wasn’t an impressionist, as I’ve often had died, it proved to be the catalyst for her fi- difficulty getting seen for sitcoms and nally to follow his advice and hurl herself things like that because everybody thinks into the rough, tough world of standup com- that I just do impressions. That said, there’s edy. And if her early-career success is any- a real joy in having the versatility to be able thing to go by, she’s certainly made the right to do all of those shows and commercials. decision. A BBC New Comedy Awards win- “Every day is different, even if some of ner, Angela is a self-confessed ‘Radio Four those days are spent sitting on the sofa nerd’ whose star is most definitely in the as- waiting for the phone to ring!” cendant. Check her out...

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy April copy.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:51 Page 2

Lou Sanders Shappi Khorsandi Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 6 April; Sat 13 April Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 5 May; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 9 June ‘Stabby stepmothers, alcohol issues and an unusual sexual encounter in ’ Iranian-born comedian Shappi found herself all feature in Lou Sanders’ latest show, being moved to the UK some 40-plus years Shame Pig. A huge and regular success at ago, after her father - the poet and satirist the Edinburgh Fringe, Lou has appeared on Hadi Khorsandi - wrote a poem that was per- all manner of television comedy series, co- ceived as being critical of Iran’s revolution- hosts the improvised podcast, Why Is Your ary regime. “Obviously there's free speech in Bottom So Dirty?, and was recently con- Iran,” says Shappi, “but little freedom after firmed as a contestant on series eight of the you've spoken.” Greg Davies/Alex Horne-presented panel A regular contributor to radio and television game, Taskmaster. programmes, with credits including Loose Jokes include: “I waited an hour for my Ends, Just A Minute and Have I Got News For starter, so I complained: ‘It’s not rocket You, Shappi describes herself as a ‘spit and salad,’” and “I was the prettiest, cleverest sawdust’ standup, happily pulling on her girl in my class. I was home-schooled.” wellies and trudging through muddy fields to perform at any and every music festival that boasts a comedy tent. Away from the microphone, she’s the author of the bestselling A Beginners Guide To Act- ing English and coming-of-age novel Nina Is Not OK. She’s also paid her dues eating in- sects in the jungle on I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!. Shappi visits Birmingham this month with new show Skittish Warrior…Confessions Of A Club Comic.

Bilal Zafar Stuart Goldsmith Micky P Kerr Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Fri 5 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Thurs 4 Fri 12 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 19 April Wed 24 April April; Glee Club, Birmingham, Wed 10 April “Whether cheering up a distressed child, A word of warning if you’re in a couple and The number of selfies helping prevent a riot, or genuinely saving intending to catch up with Bilal Zafar this Micky P Kerr finds another human's actual life, I’m excellent in month: do not, under any circumstances, himself doing has a crisis,” says Stuart Goldsmith. “When the loudly explain or discuss between your- rocketed since last chips aren't down, however, it's a very differ- selves what he’s talking about during the year, when he ent story.” show, as it really pisses him off. As do peo- reached the final of The host of the hugely successful Comedians ple who don’t wait for everyone to get off a Britain’s Got Talent. Comedian podcast - in which he interviews train before they get on themselves. And And that’s not the fellow comics about the craft of writing and people who, in a social situation, find out only change he’s noticed as a result of his performing standup - Stuart describes his lat- he’s a comedian and then expect him to tell success on the hit ITV1 talent show: “Being est show, End Of, as being “intelligent them a joke. on BGT really got my name out there,” says standup comedy for everybody, but of partic- Not that Bilal’s a particularly cranky guy - Micky. “All of a sudden, I’m getting better ular interest to people over 30 who've lost although he does confess to being some- gigs and headlining shows, which is ab- touch with all their old friends and can't eat what insecure and rather weird: “So it was solutely fantastic.” just one pain au chocolat...” great when I found Micky’s new-found success is a far cry out that pretty much from his worst ever gig: “Early on in my ca- every other comic reer, I did this five-minute set in front of a feels exactly the crowd of over-60s and didn’t get a single same as I do!” laugh because I hadn’t developed any ma- Bilal visits the Mid- terial for older people. It was a huge wake- lands with his latest up call for me, but in the long run it made critically acclaimed me a better comedian.” show, Lovebots.

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Hair.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:53 Page 1

We’re still fighting “racism. We’re still fighting for gay rights. We’re still fighting against wars. Everything is still so relevant ”

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Hair.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 15:53 Page 2

by Lauren Cole Age of Aquarius The 50th anniversary production of legendary rock musical Hair stops off in the Midlands this month… What’s On spoke to its stars, Jake Quickenden, Daisy Woods-Davis and Marcus Collins, to find out more…

Hair heads out on its UK tour straight off the of act one. So how does Jake’s co-star and for- your hair out. There are still too many rules. back of a sell-out run in London. Although mer actress, Daisy Woods-Davis People need to be more understanding about it’s set in New York in 1967, the show (who plays university student and political what other people choose.” nonetheless explores a number of subjects activist Sheila), feel about nakedness on For Jake Quickenden, the chance to play that remain relevant in the 21st century. stage? Berger is a dream come true: “He’s mental, Inspired by the late-1960s sexual revolution, “As an actor, something like this is going to which is perfect for me! He’s the one they all very much a product of the hippie counter- happen, whether it’s a naked scene on stage expect will play up the most and be the most culture of the time, and unfolding against the or a sex scene in a TV show. With theatre, it’s rebellious, so I get to be a bit of a loose can- backdrop of the Vietnam War and a really intimate, respectful space. I think it’s non. Everyone thinks that I’m in character widespread anti-war protests, the show fol- also important from a body-confidence point the whole time, but I’m just being myself!” lows a group of rebellious youngsters as they of view. We’re all just real people. It’s kind of Hair marks Jake’s musical theatre debut, and chase their dreams of living a bohemian exis- crazy that we’re all confined to this view that it’s one he’s been looking forward to im- tence and avoiding conscription. bodies shouldn’t be seen. I hope it’s a liberat- mensely: “The world is run by technology. ing experience.” The show’s Grammy Award-winning score Everybody’s on their phones or watching Net- features numerous songs that became an- X Factor finalist Marcus Collins also takes a flix, so it’s great to see actual talent perform thems of the anti-Vietnam War peace move- leading role in the show, playing the charac- live on stage in a production where everyone ment, not least among which is opening ter of Hud. Marcus was particularly drawn to is working hard. It’s a fantastic excuse to get number Aquarius. the musical’s engagement with the problem dressed up, have a few glasses of prosecco, of racism in late-1960s America: “One of the come watch an amazing show and get lost in Premiering off-Broadway in autumn ’67, Hair main points that touched me was the era in theatre. Also, not everyone can afford to get immediately caused controversy. Its nude which it’s set. Civil rights had just come in, to London. Not everyone can afford to stop scene, use of profanity, depiction of illegal but racism was still so heavy. In this show, I over in a hotel there. It’s massively important drug use, lack of respect for the American use words that I wouldn’t even use to refer to to give each city a chance to see amazing pro- flag and deployment of a racially integrated my worst enemy; words that have been used ductions.” cast marked it out as a show that was seem- to me and which made me cry my eyes out ingly sticking up two fingers to the conserva- While Jake’s enthusiastically looking to the when I was young. As I’ve grown up into the tive establishment. future and his tour with Hair, he’s not averse black man I am today, I’ve taken ownership Not surprisingly, the conservative establish- to reflecting on the past - and in particular of those words and I understand them. Those ment was less than impressed. his appearances on three of television’s most words are not to be ignored and pushed popular reality shows: “I appreciate The X “We play a group of hippies who love getting aside. The ‘N’ word was the last word that so Factor because it landed me where I am now, high and don’t want to go to war,” explains many people heard before they were hanged, but I just wish I’d done a better job there be- former X Factor star Jake Quickenden, who before they died, before they lost their lives cause I don’t feel that I did myself justice. stars as ringleader Berger in the new touring due to the fact that they were born black. I’m Then there was Dancing On Ice, which is version of the show. “The Vietnam War is rag- mixed race and I still find it difficult to hear much harder than people think. I trained for ing and we’re all rebelling against that. The that word. It’s going to be fascinating to eight hours a day on that show. It was tough show is full of important messages about free watch the dynamics of that, and how differ- but it paid off. And I’m A Celebrity was just love and things we’re still fighting for today. ent audiences react.” fun. Seriously, I’ve been on worse holidays. I We’re still fighting for everything that they Marcus also believes that many of Hair’s just chilled in a hammock and ate rice and were fighting for back then. We’re still fight- themes continue to resonate today: “Nothing beans. I felt like Bear Grylls!” ing racism. We’re still fighting for gay rights. has changed. Presidents throughout time We’re still fighting against wars. Everything is have gone to war. People are still being forced still so relevant. Conformity is a massive part into not being who they really are because of of the show, too. People don’t always want to the status quo. You’re not seen as enough if Hair The Musical shows at The Alexandra conform. I think it’s really important to be in- you don’t have a full-time job. You’re not Theatre, Birmingham, from Monday 29 dividual.” enough unless you have the flashy car, the April to Saturday 4 May and Fifty-plus years after its debut, Hair remains wife and children. You can’t be sexually fluid, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from best known for its brief nude scene at the end you can’t be gender fluid, and you can’t grow Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 July.

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Les Misérables historical backdrop of unparalleled scale. For all the show’s drama, though, it’s the majestic music composed Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 2 April - Sat 11 May by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil for which Les Mis is Les Misérables is lavish, magnificent and awesome in its power, an best known and most loved. Blockbuster musical numbers include I epic saga that grips from start to finish as it presents a heartrending Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, On My Own and One Day More. story of struggle and survival. Seen by more than 120 million people worldwide in 45 countries and Based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel, the show focuses on the 22 languages, Les Misérables is returning to Birmingham for the first character of fugitive Jean Valjean as he’s pitted against the tenacious time in 10 years. Inspector Javert in a lifelong struggle to evade capture. Their high- The production comes complete with brand new staging and the stakes conflict is a deeply personal one, brought to vivid life against a promise to be ‘a Les Mis for the 21st century’.

Jekyll & Hyde Dirty Dancing Rita, Sue & Bob Too The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 18 - Sat 27 April Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Lichfield Garrick, Tues 2 - Sat 6 April Mon 1 - Sat 6 April By the time Seen by millions across the globe, Eleanor Andrea Dunbar Bergstein's smash-hit musical tells the clas- was 20, she had sic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely in- written two criti- dependent young spirits from different cally acclaimed worlds who come together for what will plays - The prove to be the most challenging and tri- Arbor, at the age umphant summer of their lives. Hit numbers of 15, and the include Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love wickedly funny Rita, Sue And Bob Too, four Me? and I’ve Had The Time Of My Life. years later. Hailed a genius straight from the slums, Dunbar spent time in a Women's Aid refuge, had three children by three men, de- veloped a serious addiction to alcohol and Robert Louis Stevenson’s gothic novella died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 29. takes a twisted turn or two, as Harriet Jekyll, Both of her plays, but particularly Rita..., are investigating her husband’s mysterious shining examples of an extraordinary talent death, finds herself entering a dark and dan- that burned brightly for all too short a time... gerous world of warped science and When best friends Rita and Sue are given a unashamed misogyny... This clever reimag- lift home by married-man Bob after they’ve ining of a classic story has been written by spent the evening babysitting his kids, they the award-winning Evan Placey and is here find themselves embarking on a sexual ad- presented by the Young Rep. venture that swiftly spirals out of control...

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 2 Rotterdam.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:40 Page 1 Rotterdam.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 11:40 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

out and proud Olivier Award-winning play Rotterdam is coming to the Midlands this month. What’s On caught up with returning cast member Ellie Morris to find out more about the show…

Engaging with a multitude of issues relevant Alice is quite stuck in her ways and isn’t ‘out’ Ellie hopes audiences up and down the coun- to the LGBTQ+ community, Jon Brittain’s to her family. Alice is hiding a lot of herself, try take in Rotterdam’s messages and learn heartwarming comedy features a majority and Lelani is this fresh, young thing who something about the LGBTQ+ community: cast of non-binary, transgender and queer ac- comes in and breaks her open. Lelani just “When I began my journey with the show, I tors. shows Alice a different way of living as a gay thought I knew a fair bit about what trans woman, and then ends up getting a little bit ‘Rotterdam is a fantastic comedy with lots of was and meant, but since then I’ve definitely too attached to Alice…” heart,” says cast member Ellie Morris, who learnt much, much more. I really hope that when people come to see the show, as well as plays out-and-proud Dutch party-girl Lelani. Ellie is returning to the role of Lelani, having enjoying it, their watching of it helps to nor- “It’s about a lesbian couple - Alice and Fiona previously played her during Rotterdam’s run malise for them trans issues and experiences. - who live in Rotterdam, and Fiona comes out at the Arts Centre in London. as tra What happens in Rotterdam isn’t some taboo nsgender at the start of the play. The re- “I honestly just adore this play. I think I’ve subject. I think it’s so important that every- mainder of the play follows his journey from maybe performed it, like, 100 times, and being Fiona to becoming Adrian, and looks at body be educated on something they may not every single time it’s just as good as the last. how that affects his relationship with Alice, personall It’s just beautiful writing. The part I play is so y have encountered, so that the re- his own identity and the people around him.” interesting, and the play as a whole is just alities for trans people aren’t viewed as Ellie believes Rotterdam’s narrative is an im- such a fantastic project - and one that really strange or uncommon. The more stories there portant one to present in 2019. matters. It’s a very important story to tell for are like Rotterdam getting out into the public the LGBTQ+ community, especially now that domain and making it into popular culture, “Since this play was written, I think there’s it’s being made all the more poignant by the the better. It’s the best possible way to tackle actually been a massive amount of progres- fact that a lot of the parts are played by trans taboos and, perhaps, prejudices surrounding sion - certainly in the last five years. I feel like or non-binary performers.” the LGBTQ+ community. a lot more people know a lot more about the “I would encourage anyone and everyone to trans community and about what it means to Ellie is far from alone in adoring Rotterdam. come along and see Rotterdam. There’s s be trans. But I do think there’s still a lot fur- Theatre critics and audiences alike have been o ther to go with that. I think telling these sto- equally enthusiastic about the play: ‘I think much in the show. It’s every bit as funny as it ries, and just making people aware that being in the writing of Rotterdam there’s a really is dramatic, and there are lots of light mo- transgender is normal, is really important. carefully told human story, and all the char- ments alongside the more serious ones. If you Other than that, I think it’s just simply a re- acters are so well-rounded yet flawed. They want fireworks, balloons and a seriously ally entertaining story. all have such valid experiences, and the audi- good soundtrack, then this is the play for ences really get invested in their journey. you!” “My character, Lelani, is kind of the odd one That’s what’s really engaging about the story. out, in the sense that she doesn’t interact There’s honestly so with all the other characters; she only really mething in there for every- one to relate to, from the breakdown of a rela- Rotterdam shows at Wolverhampton talks to Alice. Lelani is a 21-year-old Dutch Grand Theatre from Monday 22 to girl who’s recently moved to Rotterdam, and tionship after being with someone for a long time, to the first heartbreak that Lelani goes Wednesday 24 April and Birmingham she really opens up Alice in a way that Alice Repertory Theatre from Monday 20 to has never been opened up before. I think through. Also, I have to add, Rotterdam has such a great soundtrack!” Wednesday 22 May. Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

American Idiot The Alexandra Theatre, Tues 9 - Sat 13 April While Green Day may not be the most obvious choice of band to inspire a musical, there’s little doubting American Idiot’s popularity following its success on Broadway. The show’s coming-of-age story concerns three dissatisfied friends whose lives take very different courses in post-9/11 America. While central character Johnny heads to the city and becomes high on love and drugs before his addiction turns sour, Tunny enrols in the army, only to lose a leg. Will, meanwhile, remains trapped in suburbia, raising a young family and sinking into alcoholism. As you’d expect, the show is packed to the rafters with Green Day hits - a real treat for their fans - and visits Birmingham to mark the 10th anniversary of its premiere and the 15th anniversary of the Grammy Award-winning original album.

Prison Game on the tragic demise of 13-year-old Annie, for When four menopausal women meet in a de- whom the opportunity to play the disturbed partment store, conversation quickly turns to The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 27 April character of Amy in a late-night television the one thing they all have in common - the Marcus Hercules stars in this one-man show drama proves to be anything but the chance menopause. Cue innumerable one-liners on that takes its audience on a journey from a of a lifetime. subjects including forgetfulness, mood young boy’s school years through to his The play’s title was inspired by the EastEn- swings, wrinkles, night sweats and uncon- adulthood. Presented from a semi-autobio- ders advert in which Bobby Beale was about trollable chocolate binges... graphical standpoint, the performance sees to kill his mother - an example, Attwell Ger- Marcus exploring the social and psychologi- hards felt, of a violent child being used to tit- cal problems experienced by the collection of illate audiences without the actual causes of characters he creates. In the process he ex- the child’s violence ever being explored. amines the ways in which the experience of prison can define a man. Prison Game visits Birmingham five years Revealed after debuting at Talawa Firsts, a festival ded- Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 19 April icated to the development and showcasing of work by Black British writers. Red Earth Collective and Rites of Passage Productions’ new show is the first to be pre- sented under the banner of Menologues, a series of events that explores the emotional We Need To Talk About world of Black men and how they express Bobby (Off EastEnders) their feelings through thought-provoking drama and other artistic media forms. Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, The Trials Of Oscar Wilde Tues 9 - Thurs 11 April Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Fri 12 & Sat 13 April; Theatre Severn, Menopause The Musical Shrewsbury, Sat 11 May Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Three months can be a long time. For Oscar Tues 23 & Wed 24 April; William , Wrexham, Sun 5 May; Malvern Theatres, Wed Wilde, it was the difference between basking 15 May; Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, in the glory of the triumphant opening night Tues 28 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, of The Importance Of Being Earnest, and Mon 3 & Tues 4 June; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 10 - Wed 12 June finding himself in court, charged with ‘un- natural acts’ with other men... Female TV stars ‘of a certain age’ are much in Written with the assistance of Merlin Hol- evidence in this well-reviewed show, with land, Wilde's grandson and the author of The Maureen Nolan, EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison, Taking a look at the bizarre, challenging and Real Trial Of Oscar Wilde, the play is based Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley and Copy Cats’ stressful world of the child actor, George At- on the original words spoken in court, and is Hilary O’Neil taking top billing. twell Gerhards’ hard-hitting drama focuses here performed by European Arts Company.

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 4 Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 1 Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 2 Kunene And The King What’s on chats to John Kani and Sir Antony Sher, who appear in Kani’s new play...

Kunene And The King follows the story of 2009?” It was a long gestation that turned out then, in the opposite way, you’ve got this Jack Morris (Antony Sher), a terminally ill 65- very well! man who’s a carer, and he’s got to look after year-old white actor living a relatively com- someone who’s politically quite reactionary. John: I sent the script to Tony, just to help me fortable life in the suburbs of Johannesburg, So there’s a conflict there, and also in the understand whether I had weaved the story and Lunga Kunene (John Kani), a 69-year-old way that the two men have to negotiate their of within the story of Lunga and black retired male nurse. Having suffered in- true feelings and their professional relation- Jack (the characters in Kunene And The numerable losses during apartheid, Lunga ship. King). And to my shock, I got this email from must learn to deal with the tension that more Tony saying he was excited by it and had Turning to your own lives, what was your than 50 years of that policy has created, given it to Gregory Doran, the RSC’s artistic first encounter with Shakespeare growing whilst Jack’s health deteriorates at an unsus- director! By that point, Tony was already say- up under apartheid, and how did your tainable rate. ing, “I think this would work well with Jan- early experiences of his work differ? The idea for this play first came about in ice,” (Janice Honeyman, director of Kunene J: Mine was very simple. It was through my 2009 - could you tell us a little more about And The King) to which I was saying, “Tony, secondary school education in 1959. My where the inspiration came from, and I’m not at that point yet!” The idea was to cel- teacher walked in very proud and said we how the play has developed over the last ebrate our democracy and to test this ‘non- were doing a new book: William Shake- 10 years? racial’ South Africa. speare’s Julius Caesar. It was incredible. He Antony: Maybe you don’t remember this, Can you tell us a little bit more about the made us stand up to read. He didn’t lecture John, but when we were doing The Tempest relationship between the play’s charac- about the play, you just read one or two lines in 2009, we had coffee together one day and ters, Jack Morris and Lunga Kunene? and then it would go to the next student, who you did mention that you were thinking of a would also read. The teacher would stand be- A: I think what’s really terrific in the writing play. I don’t remember any details, apart from hind you and say, “Speak with volume, speak is that John has created these conflicts. that you were thinking of a two-hander for with power, speak with love, speak with You’ve got this old white man, who we find you and me. And yes, of course I wanted to pain.” out is quite reactionary in his political views - do that with you. he has some problems relating to a black per- A: For me, my journey to becoming a classi- John: As a writer, I have these little stories in son, particularly one who’s going to be living cal actor at the RSC was a very, very huge my mind, but each one of them is pushed out in his house. journey because I really didn’t grow up by the one that seems most urgent. And I re- taught or inspired by Shakespeare. We were J: You don’t think of Jack as a white racist, member putting Kunene And The King aside taught Shakespeare at our school - Seapoint though - you think of him as someone who to do so many other things - I did three Boys’ High - just as something they had to grew up normally in this country but in an- movies and four plays, travelled the world teach. There was no spark to it, and so like a other area. It’s almost like there are two types and came back. It was only recently that I lot of boys I found it boring and difficult. In a of South Africa, that know of each other but had time to sit down, and suddenly the story lot of British schools, it’s simply not taught don’t know about each other. The play was a began to make sense. And I thought that well - which is why the RSC encourages kind of exercise where I wanted to push how there was a friend of mine - Antony - who, at schools to take young people to actually see a happy, reconciled and accepting Lunga is of that particular time, was doing King Lear, production before reading it for the first time. the new democratic order. To live with a which is integral to my play. One of our set books was Henry V, and my white man is an incredible, brand new expe- only real memory was, like John, that we had Antony: It was so interesting because we rience for him. to read around the class. I read the speech spoke about it in 2009 and then not a word A: The terrific conflict is that Jack is very ill, that involved saying ‘the Earl of Warwick’, until, as you say, very recently. Suddenly you and Lunga is a nurse - a carer. So as much as and instead of pronouncing it War-rick, I said email me and say, “Would you like to have a Jack has these racial enmities, he needs the War-wick. The whole class laughed at me, so look at the script?” And I thought, “Good man. And I think that’s very interesting. And my memory is of humiliation. God, is that the same thing you mentioned in Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 3

John, you won a Tony for your work on the threat to the system. But there was absolutely dad came to see Swizu Banzi Is Dead at the St double bill of The Island and Sizwe Banzi support for the work we were doing. It almost Stephen’s Church - 300 chairs, 750 people - Is Dead, but this also led to your arrest on gave everyone a sense, a visual, of what was and afterwards he said to me, “I’ll never see your return to South Africa. How did these happening in South Africa. I remember Oliver that rubbish you do. That was not a play - plays change the way South Africa was Tambo, the then-president of the ANC, say- that was a political meeting. I don’t know perceived by the wider world? ing, “You explained to the British the evil of why you don’t find a job.” apartheid. Something we’ve been trying to do J: No one knows what’s going to be the im- A: The challenges for me were a bit different. in speeches for 20 to 30 years, you just did in pact of a complete project. It was nice to do a From a young age, I had the impression that I one night.” play about a man who is tossed out because was good, having won awards at the City past laws have restricted the movement of A: There are so many people who see politi- Hall, where kids did little speeches. But black people in South Africa (Sizwe Banzi Is cal theatre as a weak form because it’s when I moved to London and tried to get into Dead), and also a play that paid tribute to preaching to the converted, but as you’ve just the two top drama schools at the time, I those men and women in the Maximum Se- demonstrated by that story, you were preach- didn’t manage to. Central turned me down curity Prison, Robben Island (The Island). ing to the unconverted. In that sense, it flat, and RADA sent a letter saying, “Not only wasn’t preachy at all. have you failed the audition, and not only do A: Those two plays were funny and sad and we not want you to try again, we really urge passionate. It was remarkable. I can’t think of Can you tell us a little more about your you to think about a different career.” But other plays in theatre history that might have routes into acting, and some of the obsta- luckily I had a very ambitious Jewish mother done what those two plays did politically. cles you faced when starting out in your and she bullied me through it. Thank god for careers? J: We were amazed by the reactions of peo- her. ple, especially in England. People were ask- J: When you grow up in the township, you go How was it as a black South African tour- ing, “What the hell is this? How did you write to the cinema and you watch these movies ing South Africa under apartheid? this? Where did it come from? What school with 10,000 Red Indians charging at 10 peo- did you go to? What philosophy is behind it?” ple and John Wayne - and John Wayne kills J: We couldn’t tour. We moved from township Ah, man, it was just a play about a guy with them all. But we used to root for the Indians - to township instead. In our theatre, we used the wrong passbook! It’s got nothing to do they were the stories we wanted to tell. There to do one-night performances and move on to with any of the things you’re saying. I think were plays done in the township, of course, the next place - and move and move and other people made much, much more about but they focused on things like the country move. Many times, the play would be it. Even political exiles called it the most bumpkin going to the big city to buy drugs stopped. Many times, some of us would be powerful statement for the liberation of and prostitutes, becoming a thug and dying. detained. I remember when we did The Ter- South Africa. So even that was discouraging because you rorists, I was immediately detained because Still, when we arrived back in South Africa, felt that if you went to the big city you were we changed the assassination of the Duke to we got arrested - and you know, it’s fine, be- going to become a criminal and die. the President of the Party of South Africa, cause it made us more popular, and it also And then of course there were our parents, which made the entire script political. By the made us relevant for the liberation struggle. who didn’t want us leaving their nest. There time we got to plays like Swizu Banzu Is We were not naïve - we knew we were tram- were 11 of us at home, and our father wished Dead, the police knew exactly where to get pling on the toes of the system and were a at least one of us would be successful. My us. Sometimes they didn’t even stop the play, Kuene and the king Online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 29/03/2019 08:47 Page 4

they just put police in front of the door and Antony, you famously returned to the audiences. I’m used to the interfering town- people stopped coming because they could South African stage in 1994 - months after ship audience, but in England the thunder- see they’d be arrested. the first elections - in Gregory Doran’s ous appreciation comes at the end and you When we came to England in 1973, it was the Titus Andronicus. Can you talk more think, “My god, they were listening, they first time I’d ever performed and not thought, about the decision to set the play in con- wanted every word.” “How do I keep out of backstage to avoid se- temporary South Africa, and its relevance Do you still relish the challenge of a two- curity?” The problem came with some En- at that moment in time? hander, and, as actors, do you ever stop glish critics reviewing the play as extremely A: It was born out of the National Theatre learning from one another? political, because what they wrote became Studio’s cultural visit to the Market Theatre. evidence for when the police interrogated us J: You can’t come from South Africa and not We did several weeks of workshops, and one back in South Africa. The worst for me was know about Antony Sher. The Tempest in thing which Greg and I were investigating after we won the Tony Award. I said thank 2009 was a brilliant production, and ever was what Shakespeare sounded like in differ- you and Winston Ntshona (who appeared in since testing the ground in the intense rela- ent South African accents, rather than in RP. the play with me) said thank you and we tionship between Caliban and Prospero, I’ve So out of that came the idea of doing Titus walked out. Jesus, all the papers in America always wondered what else I could do with Andronicus with a South African cast and said that that was the most political state- Tony. And when he said he’d play Jack in South African accents. Greg chose Titus pre- ment made on behalf of all those who aren’t Kunene And The King, my wish was fulfilled. cisely because of the violence in the play, and even recognised as human beings. We kept because we’d be doing it in a country with on saying that the play is not about that, it’s A: Yes. I have to say, because John was in- such phenomenal violence, which, to a just the opinion of the person who’s writing volved in those famous two-handers with British audience, might have seemed exces- it. Winston, I did feel a special little shiver up sive. These things were not as extraordinary the spine when the two-hander started. Of John, you made history playing in South Africa, and that’s how the concept course, I’m not comparing myself with Win- opposite a white actress in the Market was born and how it became a co-production ston Ntshona - I just have a special thrill from Theatre in 1987 at the height of apartheid. with the National Theatre. that sense of now being John’s acting partner. What do you remember about the play’s We played at the Market, took it back to the reception at the time - and what made you National, and did a little tour to the West J: We need each other to tell this story, and take on the role knowing the risks in- Yorkshire Playhouse. And that, of course, fortunately we’ve known each other all our volved? was a really rich experience - although we lives. It’s also great to be working with direc- did get a bit slapped for it in South Africa, as tor Janice Honeyman again - this is the fourth J: I’d just done a play at the Market Theatre they wanted Shakespeare to be grand and production I’ve been in directed by Janice. when Janet Suzman came to me and said she posh rather than in South African accents. It’s difficult when it’s a two-hander, as there felt it was time to do Othello, to which I said, are no other people entertaining the audi- “Oh no! I carry 11 stab wounds on my body, There’s a school of thought that says ence. It’s just the two of us. And Tony’s a have been detained and have to be careful Shakespeare shouldn’t be taught in South bloody good actor. I’m 75! I’ve really got to even walking the street because everybody African schools and universities. How work hard - this guy is good. wants me dead. So thank you, but I am not would you respond to those trying to de- going to do that play.” colonise the curriculum in this way? This year marks the 25th anniversary of But then I went home and thought about it, the first post-apartheid vote in South A: The arts are our spiritual health as human and then told Janet I’d do it, but that I had Africa. Looking back at a quarter-century beings. If you’re going to cut away Shake- one condition. I said I would only do it if I of change in your home nation, what are speare, it’s like you’re cutting away penicillin was the only black actor. And then we started your hopes for the future of the country? or the most important factor within our own rehearsals. spiritual health. Shakespeare is obviously the J: As we celebrate 25 years of democracy, we It was after I was cast that the police came to greatest, and any society who removes it is need to actually sit down and analyse what my house. They wanted to know whose idea just committing a bit of a spiritual suicide. we did do, didn’t do and what still needs to it was to do the play because Othello kisses, be done. We didn’t know the state of the na- on stage, Desdemona, who, in this case, was J: Shakespeare deals with right versus wrong, tion in 1994. The majority of black people a white woman. So I just said, “Well, the Mar- dark versus light, emotions, love and evil. were so far removed from the reality of the ket Theatre wanted me to play Othello. I’m There is nothing we have written after the 37 economy or management or the legal system. just an actor.” plays of Shakespeare that we could claim is All we knew was running and fighting. And The police would go through the play with brand new thought. Shakespeare has been in 1994, we were suddenly in the ruling party me - “this woman comes in and you hold her here since the learning of the settlers of this with no experience whatsoever, to the point hand and you kiss her. And on page 16, it country. So how can you extract it, sort of that I remember one guy saying, “How can says that just before you leave, you kiss her. like a rotten tooth, out of African culture? It is Mandela run a country? He’s never even run And then, in the part where you arrive in the impossible. a shop! What does he know about it?” Which other place, you kiss her for more than 14 was true. Whilst we made incredible strides As seasoned actors with over 50 years’ ex- seconds. And we can see your tongue moving ahead, we also tripped on our own shoelaces. perience on stage and screen, what draws in her mouth - that’s not in the play.” So I’m It’s been 25 years, and yes, we have a country you back to the intimate atmosphere of just sitting there thinking, “Oh my god, the and a government. We have institutions, and the Swan Theatre? policeman has read the play!” And then I we have all the pillars that hold us together, said, “You know, sir, when Sir Laurence A: The Swan is the best theatre in the world but inside that crowd there are a lot of things Olivier played the role, he put a lot of black for audiences and actors. It’s a brilliantly de- we still need to do. And I think we realise it stuff and polish all over the face, and each signed theatre. I absolutely can’t wait to get now more than ever. time Desdemona tried to kiss him, she left a back into it. black smudge on the beautiful white makeup J: When you stand on the stage of the Swan, - I don’t have the problem.” And he said to Kuene And The King plays at The Swan you think, “This is why I wanted to be an me “Shut up!” and went to the next page. Theatre, Stratfor-upon-Avon until Tuesday actor.” What daunted me the most when I 23rd April first came to England was the silence of the Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Wise Children Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 2 - Sat 6 April Showbusiness, sex, scandal and family drama lie at the heart of Wise Children, a new play based on the late Angela Carter’s final novel, which closely follows the trials, tribulations and triumphs of theatrical twins Nora and Dora Chance. “They’re not completely identical twins,” explains the show’s director, Emma Rice. “Dora has got secrets in her past and is much more guarded and sharp than Nora, while Nora is very emotional. With the Chance twins, we really go through their history in its entirety - their loves, their losses and the abuses that they suf- fer. Yet throughout, they’re such good fun and are never victims. They’re always joyful, irreverent and, actually, very sexy. We initially meet them when they’re 75, and they’re still sexy and full of sauciness!”

Fame The Musical once said that making love to her was like ture Club, Bucks Fizz and Depeche Mode, as ‘kissing Hitler’. The woman who began life as well as a supporting cast including Dinner- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Norma Jeane Mortenson courted controversy ladies’ Kate Robbins, Wicked star Emily Tier- Mon 15 - Sat 20 April; Malvern Theatres, Mon 8 - Sat 13 July throughout her Hollywood career, her ney and former Sugababe Amelle Berrabah. troubled life coming to an end at the tragically young age of 36. Breakthrough Theatre’s new production aims to take a peek behind the glitz and glamour Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- of the Marilyn phenomenon, presenting the Avon, until Sat 31 August Some Like It Hot star as she sits alone in her “I didn’t want to make a Shrew in the way it’s dressing room ‘stripped back and bare - just been done many times before,” explains di- an ordinary girl telling her story’. rector Justin Audibert in talking about his new production. “I’m really interested in see- ing what happens when you get female ac- Intemperance tors to play traditionally powerful male roles, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and vice versa. So for example, the role of Fri 5 - Sat 20 April The original mega-hit film and its spin-off TV Petruchio, which we’ve renamed Petruchia, series are now both so old that the once-nim- Intemperance was premiered in 2007, takes is being played by a woman in a woman’s ble dancers who appeared in them might place in 1854, and tells the moving story of costume, but with the same character moti- soon be reaching for zimmer frames! Millie, a woman with a new Norwegian hus- vations and social status as Petruchio in any By contrast, Fame The Musical continues to band, another child on the way and a desper- other production. Likewise Katherine is being get up a sweat on a regular basis. And as ate desire to escape the cellar-slums in which played by a male actor as a man and wearing high-octane, choreographed-to-the-rafters they live. a man’s costume, but will have the same so- stage musicals go, it hits the Midlands this Dark, moralistic and likened in style to the cial restrictions that a woman in 1590s Eng- month with a reputation second to none. works of Henrik Ibsen, the play was written land would’ve had. The actors are playing Set in New York’s High School for the Per- by Liverpudlian ‘Renaissance woman’ Lizzie their own gender, but we’ve flipped which forming Arts, the show focuses on the highs Nunnery and is set to a backdrop of evocative gender holds power.” and lows of the students who’re desperately Irish music. seeking success, in the process providing a dazzling evening of foot-tapping music and breathtaking dance. Keith Jack, Mica Club Tropicana and star. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 29 April - Sat 4 May; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 7 - Sat 11 May Marilyn X-Factor winner Joe McElderry tops in this ‘ultimate holiday musical’ celebrating Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 5 & Sat 6 April the chart-topping hits of the 1980s. Expect Marilyn Monroe was widely considered to be the much-loved sounds of ABC, Cyndi Lau- the sexiest female movie star of the 20th per, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, A-Ha, Cul- century - except maybe by Tony Curtis, who 28 whatsonlive.co.uk

The Gardens Birmingham will open from

11:30am – 16:30pm Philharmonic Orchestra comes to Mitton Manor!

CHERRY TREE LAST NIGHT OF WALK THE PROMS Sunday 5th May, 2019 Saturday 29th June, 2019 See our Cherry Tree Walk in full bloom. Enjoy the We are thrilled to be hosting the Birmingham beauty that Spring brings to Mitton Manor Gardens. Philharmonic Orchestra at Mitton Manor Gardens. Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea and a glass of beer or This spectacular classical concert promises to be a champagne to celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend. night to remember for the whole family.

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2019 SPRING – CHERRY BLOSSOM PAINTING IN ACRYLIC Saturday 11th May, 2019 Following our Cherry Tree Walk, come along to a Painting Workshop in association with local artist, Debbie Chatfield. PRIDE & PREJUDICE Thursday 4th July, 2019 Garden Theatre production of Pride & Prejudice, in association with Chapterhouse Theatre Company. NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME OPEN DAY Sunday 7th July, 2019 AUTUMN – FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE PAINTING IN ACRYLIC Saturday 14th September, 2019 AsEnjoy the Autumn our Festive foliage startsFoodie to Treatsturn into & fiery Licensed colours, Bar. join Seating us for another is provided Painting but Workshop you are with welcome local artist to Debbiebrings Chatfield.rugs. For more information, visit our website, or phone to speak to our friendly team. AUTUMN TOUR & TALK Sunday 29th September, 2019 Our annual Autumn Tour & Talk with Elizabeth Gooch MBE and guests, with an optional three-course Autumn lunch.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE mittonmanor.co.uk Telephone: 01785 291391 Email: [email protected] Mitton, Near Penkridge, Staffordshire ST19 5QW Theatre April Davina.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 09:25 Page 7

Theatre

The Wonderful World Of Disney On Ice Resorts World Arena, Birmingham, Wed 3 - Sunday 7 April Get your skates on for the return of Disney’s ever-popular ice spectacular, complete with high-energy music, glittering sets and dra- matic choreography. This particular theatrical extravaganza fea- tures a host of the Mouse House’s most popu- lar stars, including: Frozen’s Anna, Elsa and Olaf; Disney/Pixar favourites from Finding Dory; Toy Story’s Buzz & Woody; Simba, Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; and Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie of the Lamp. Mickey and Minnie Mouse also take a spin or several on the ice, in a show that pays homage to a century’s-worth of magical storytelling.

Dear Zoo Live! topus all play their part in creating a 50- Elmer The minute show that promises to keep young- The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, sters aged five and older well and truly Patchwork Elephant Thurs 11 - Sun 14 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 28 & Mon 29 April entertained. Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 25 April First published in 1982, Rod Campbell’s lift- This lively stage version of David McKee’s the-flap book has delighted generations of much-loved creation tells the story of a youngsters and accumulated in excess of patchwork elephant who determines to hide eight million sales worldwide. his ‘true colours’ in an effort to blend in, only This highly acclaimed 55-minute stage ver- to find that he feels happiest when he’s sim- sion of the story features child-friendly pup- ply being himself. pets, plenty of music and lots of audience participation. The show is suitable for chil- dren aged two and older. Exciting Science Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 6 April Designed to enlighten, educate and entertain children aged four and older, Exciting Sci- There Was An Old Lady ence promises plenty of ‘wiz, bang, pop and Who Swallowed A Fly splurt’, as the show’s scientists carry out all manner of fun and fact-filled live experi- The Core, Solihull, Tues 23 April; Theatre Sev- ern, Shrewsbury, Sat 25 May; Stourport Civic, ments. So if you think your kids would enjoy Tues 28 May seeing some boffins create a volcanic erup- The People’s tion, turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile Theatre Company - launcher and take aim with a smoke blaster, the highly rated then this is definitely the show to check out. creators of the fab- The Boy And ulous Don't Drib- The Mermaid ble On The Dragon - bring one of the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, world’s best-loved Mon 15 April nursery rhymes to life, complete with colour- Original songs and traditional sea shanties ful animal characters and singalong songs in- enliven this well-reviewed nautical story that cluding If You're Happy And You Know It and finds a trio of fishermen weaving a whale of a Incy Wincy Spider... tale about ‘musical merfolk, menacing mon- People’s Theatre Co advise that their show is sters and spectacularly bad town planning’. suitable for audience members aged two to Live music, puppetry, and even a rapping oc- 102!

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Theatre for younger audiences...

The Worst Witch Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 24 - Sat 27 April; Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 22 - Sun 26 May Step aside, Harry Potter, Mildred Hubble is visiting town - and she’s ready to unleash some family-friendly magic and mayhem! Many a year before Harry’s Hogwarts hocus- pocus took the world by storm, Jill Murphy wrote a series of books about ordinary-girl Mildred and her adventures at a school for witches. The Worst Witch, first published in 1974, spawned seven sequels, a movie and a television series, with worldwide book sales reaching the five million mark. This brand new show is directed by Theresa Heskins and comes complete with original songs, music, magic and a healthy dose of Mildred-created pandemonium.

Aliens Love Underpants the adventures of fairy princess Holly and her Zog is at Madam Dragon’s school, and is de- best pal Ben, a wingless elf who flies on the termined to win himself a gold star. He’s so The Old Rep, Birmingham, determined, in fact, that he tries a little bit Fri 19 & Sat 20 April; Oakengates Theatre back of Gaston the Ladybird. In this particu- @ThePlace, Telford, Shropshire, Thurs 30 May lar show, the two chums help Gaston clean too hard and finds himself bumping, burning and roaring his way through years one, two Given its title, it’s perhaps not surprising that up his messy cave, go on a trip into The Big and three. the producers of Aliens In Underpants are World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum, and plan selling the show as one that’s so funny ‘you’ll a surprise birthday party for King Thistle. laugh your pants off’. And they may well be Expect plenty of games, songs and laughter... Madagascar The Musical right about that. Based on the bestselling children’s book by Claire Freedman and Ben Malvern Theatres, Tues 2 - Sat 6 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 7 - Cort, the production features ‘stunning ef- Sat 11 May fects, madcap action and original music’. The smell of the greasepaint and roar of the And if that little lot isn’t enough to tempt you, crowd has tempted the furry cast of Madagas- the promise of a close encounter with ‘lots of car the movie to forsake New York's Central aliens’ surely is... Park Zoo in favour of treading the boards on a UK tour. The blockbuster DreamWorks film comes to life in Birmingham when Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Glo- Zog ria the hip hip Hippo stampede into summer with a great big jungle roar. Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Imaginative sets and costumes are very much Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 8 & Thurs 9 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 - present and correct, in a show that the pro- Sun 26 May; Malvern Theatres, Wed 5 & Thurs ducers are confident will send your kids 6 June home positively wild (which may or may not With previous be a good thing!). Matt Terry stars. Ben & Holly’s shows including Tiddler And Other Little Kingdom Terrific Tales and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Fri 19 & Sat 20 Tabby McTat, it’s April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 25 & Wed 26 June; The Alexandra Theatre, fair to say that Birmingham, Wed 10 & Thurs 11 July Freckle Productions The team behind Peppa Pig here present a know a thing or two stage version of another of their splendid cre- about presenting ations. Originally a BAFTA Award-winning stage adaptations of Julia Donaldson & Axel television animation, the show focuses on Scheffler stories... whatsonlive.co.uk 31 B Side Festival.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:21 Page 1

Popping. Locking. Bopping+ Breaking.

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B-Side is back in Brum...

Dance battles, high-energy workshops, live ternational and national artists alongside the beth, a part of Birmingham famous for its music and DJ sets from legendary names in amazing talents we have in the city. street art. hip-hop will all feature in the 2019 B-Side “We’ve expanded both the length of the festi- Elsewhere, a special screening of Bombin’ Hip-Hop Festival. val, from five to 10 days, and the number of takes place at The Mocking Bird as part of Curated by Birmingham Hippodrome, the 10- locations for our events, as we stretch our- Flatpack Festival. Taking a behind-the-scenes day get-together is a highlight on the city’s selves from Southside to Bullring, Grand Cen- look at UK hip-hop and graffiti culture, the calendar of annual dance events. tral and, for the first time, into Digbeth. documentary features some recognisable lo- cations in Birmingham. The 2019 edition of the show features - along- “Each of our festival partners brings a differ- side some of the city’s finest homegrown tal- ent energy and take on what contemporary The festival culminates in Southside on Sun- ent - international artists Karl ‘Dyzee’ Alba hip-hop culture is, enabling us to offer a truly day 12 May with the B-SIDE and Break Mis- (Canada), Roxy (UK), ChryBaby (New York) diverse festival and attract a wider audience sion International Dance Championship, an and Youth Olympic Bronze medal winner B- year on year. We’re really hyped about this epic clash featuring talented dancers from Boy Shigekix (Japan). year’s programme and are already planning across the world. the party for our fifth anniversary next year Dance Hub Birmingham has commissioned in 2020, so don’t miss it!” several new pieces for the festival, including Break Mission’s Dance Of Death. Zoo Nation As stated by Graham, in addition to a pro- B-Side Festival takes place at Birmingham Youth Company Birmingham - one of the Hip- gramme of events at the Hippodrome, B-Side Hippodrome and other city centre loca- podrome’s Young Companies - will showcase this year extends into the Bullring and Grand tions from Fri 3 to Sun 12 May. a piece of contemporary hip-hop theatre. Central, with DJs, dance and rap battles, live performances and a hip-hop-inspired party Commenting on the festival, Graham Callis- For further information and to keep up to for kids and parents all featuring among the ter, Associate Director of Community Engage- festival’s highlights. date with what’s happening at B-Side, visit ment & Festivals at Birmingham birminghamhippodrome.com/bside Hippodrome, said: “B-Side is fast becoming On Sunday 5 May, High-Vis Festival will lead the UK’s number one hip-hop festival for in- a graffiti trail from the Hippodrome to Dig-

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Dance

Motionhouse: Charge Malvern Theatres, Tues 9 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 8 & Thurs 9 May Leamington-based Motionhouse’s multimedia show about en- ergy is the third element of Artistic Director Kevin Finnan’s Earth Trilogy, developing on themes explored in Scattered (2009) and Broken (2013) about man’s relationship with water and the earth. Making use of digital projections to create an on-stage world in which dancers and images interact seamlessly, the show fea- tures six performers using dance and acrobatics to explore the human body, ‘tracing the incredible story of energy in our lives’. “Charge is an amazing collaboration between artists and scien- tists,” explains Motionhouse co-founder Finnan. “I find the sci- ence behind the show fascinating, and I want to use my inspiration from this to create a presentation for audiences to enjoy - but which also makes them think about the role energy plays in our lives.”

Swan Lake Silent Lines Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Tues 2 DanceXchange, The Patrick Studio, Birmingham April; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs Hippodrome, Tues 9 April 25 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 28 April; The Core, Solihull, Fri 31 May Having last month world premiered The Thread - his much-publicised collaboration The highly regarded Ballet Theatre visits with Oscar-winning composer Vangelis - at the Midlands with its production of this London’s Sadlers Wells, Russell Maliphant timeless favourite, set to Tchaikovsky’s now sends the eagerly awaited Silent Lines out mesmerising score. on tour. Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a beau- Citing Rodin and Nijinsky among his major in- tiful princess who, caught under the spell fluences, Maliphant has garnered an impres- of the evil Von Rothbart, must spend the sive reputation since bursting onto the scene daytime hours as a swan, returning to in the 1990s, producing choreography that human form only when night falls... A seeks to investigate the changing forms of tra- sumptuous visual feast, the production of- ditional and contemporary dance. fers an evening of ballet which is ideal for With Silent Lines, he uses a clever mix of pro- the first-time trier as well as the more sea- jection and lighting ‘to celebrate the range of soned dance-goer. poetic possibilities in movement’, in so doing making full use of his studies and explorations Burn The Floor not only in dance but also anatomy. The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 21 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke- on-Trent, Mon 29 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 12 May “Burn The Floor is the show that ig- nited a spark in me and changed me forever as a performer,” says Kevin Clifton, who’s starring in the produc- tion with ‘new Italian heartthrob’ Graziano Di Prima. “Through Broad- way, West End and touring all over the world, this show has ripped apart the rule book, revolutionised our genre and inspired and shaped me as the dancer I am today. In 2019 I’m delighted to say I’m coming ‘home’ to Burn The Floor.”

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Film

Avengers: Endgame CERT tbc Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson and loads more big stars... Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo (USA) In the UK, Avengers: Infinity War was the highest grossing film of 2018. And it was only really half a movie. Now comes the second bit, the finale, or in Marvel-speak, the endgame. Following the mega-massacre at the end of Infinity War, the few remaining Avengers must re-assemble to combat the awful Thanos (Josh Brolin) and save the multi-verse. What drama. And for those who care, this is the 22nd entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Available in IMAX and 3D. Released Thurs 25 April

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in April...

Pet Sematary CERT tbc Holy Lands CERT 15 (100 mins) The Keeper CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz, John Starring James Caan, Tom Hollander, Starring David Kross, Freya Mavor, John Lithgow, Jeté Laurence Directed by Kevin Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Efrat Dor, Rosanna Henshaw, Dervla Kirwan, Dave Johns, Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer (USA) Arquette, Patrick Bruel Directed by Amanda Gary Lewis Directed by Marcus H Rosenmüller Sthers (France/Belgium) (Germany/UK) James Caan plays Harry Rosenmerck, an Ashkenazi Jewish American, who leaves his job as a successful cardiologist to pur- sue a new life as a pig farmer in Israel. From the director of the 2017 French farce Madame. Released Fri 5 April

Bert Trautmann was the goalkeeper for Based on the novel by Stephen King, this Manchester City (1949 to 1964), but before misspelt horror film focuses on an eerie then he was a Nazi. This is the remarkable burial-ground in the woods that contains a true story of a German PoW whose life is terrible secret. Let’s hope it’s better than the transformed by the love of an English 1989 version, which King scripted himself. woman. Expect mutilated moggies. Released Thurs 4 April Released Fri 5 April whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film April.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 17:23 Page 3

Film

deranged Jersey tour guide in the award-win- Missing Link CERT PG (95 mins) Hellboy CERT tbc (84 mins) ning Beast (2017). Here, she portrays a With the voices of Hugh Jackman, Zoe Saldana, Starring David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian Mc- Glaswegian ex-con who puts her dreams of Timothy Olyphant, Emma Thompson, Zach Shane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, Thomas Galifianakis, Matt Lucas Haden Church becoming a Nashville country singer above Directed by Chris Butler (USA/Canada) Directed by Neil Marshall (USA) her maternal responsibilities. The word is From the company that brought us Coraline, A reboot of the Hellboy franchise originally good. ParaNorman and Kubo And The Two Strings, created by Guillermo del Toro, itself based on Released Fri 12 April this stop-motion animated comedy follows the graphic novel, the new film was origi- the adventures of Sir Lionel Frost (Jackman), nally meant to be a sequel to Hellboy II: The an investigator of myths and monsters. Deter- Golden Army (2008). But things change. Greta CERT 15 (98 mins) mined to prove his credentials, he sets off for Here, our devilish superhero (Harbour) puts the Pacific Northwest to discover mankind’s his best cloven foot forward to fight the an- Starring Isabelle Huppert, Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, Colm Feore, Stephen Rea, missing relative, Link. cient sorcerer Nimue, the Queen of Blood Zawe Ashton Released Fri 5 April (Jovovich). As they say, even demons have Directed by Neil Jordan (USA/Ireland) their demons. Beware the inscrutable piano teacher. And Released Thurs 11 April nobody can play inscrutable piano teachers like Isabelle Huppert. Here, she is befriended by an American waitress (Moretz) after the latter finds her handbag on the New York subway… Big mistake. A psychological thriller from the director of Mona Lisa and The Crying Game. Released Fri 19 April

Shazam! CERT 12a (132 mins) Starring Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Djimon Hounsou Directed by David F. Sandberg (USA) The seventh instalment in the DC Extended Little CERT tbc Universe, Shazam! is not unlike a superhero Starring Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin, version of Tom Hanks’ Big (1988). Billy Bat- Justin Hartley Directed by Tina Gordon (USA) son (Angel) is a 14-year-old orphan who, In direct contrast to Shazam! (q.v.), Tina Gor- when he utters the eponymous acronym (of don’s Little tells of a stressed-out tech mogul six immortal elders: Solomon, Hercules, (Regina Hall) who is transformed into her Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury), is trans- younger self (Marsai Martin), when she was, formed into an adult superhero. er, little. The film was the inspiration of Mar- Head Full Of Honey Released Fri 5 April tin when she was just 10 years old and, now CERT tbc (139 mins) 14, her credit here as executive producer Starring Nick Nolte, Matt Dillon, Emily Mor- makes her the youngest person to hold that timer, Sophia Lane Nolte, Jacqueline Bisset, title on a major Hollywood film. Eric Roberts Directed by Til Schweiger (Germany/USA) Released Fri 12 April Following Still Alice (2014) and What They Had (2018), we now have another drama about Alzheimer's, this time with Nick Nolte as an old widower taken on a road trip by his granddaughter (played by Nolte’s real-life Wonder Park CERT PG (85 mins) daughter, Sophia Lane). Based on the Ger- With the voices of Jennifer Garner, Matthew man film Honig im Kopf (2014), also directed Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Brianna by Til Schweiger. Denski, Tom Baker Released Fri 19 April The park, hidden deep in the woods, is full of fantastical rides and engaging animals, but is under threat when its creator, the 10-year-old June (Denski), starts to grow up. From Wild Rose CERT 15 (100 mins) Paramount Animation, the company that Starring Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie brought us Sherlock Gnomes. Incidentally, Okonedo, Jamie Sives, Craig Parkinson the director Dylan Brown was fired from the Directed by Tom Harper (UK) production (and had his credit removed) after Jessie Buckley is the Next Big Thing, and de- accusations of inappropriate behaviour. servedly so. She has played a variety of roles, Released Mon 8 April notably Marya in TV’s War And Peace and the 38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film April.qxp_Layout 1 21/03/2019 17:23 Page 4

Film highlights released in April...

Loro CERT 18 Starring Toni Servillo, Elena Sofia Ricci, Riccardo Scamarcio Directed by Paolo Sorrentino (Italy/France) A two-part drama, Loro focuses on the politi- cians and businessmen (the ‘loro’ of the title) who surround the media tycoon Silvio Berlusconi (Servillo). From the director of such masterpieces as The Consequences Of Love, This Must Be The Place and the Oscar- winning The Great Beauty. Released Fri 19 April

CRITIC’S CHOICE

The Sisters Brothers film is a Western with a dark comic twist, which one might expect from the brilliant CERT 15 (122 mins) French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, whose Starring John C Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, first English-language film this is. And Read Joan CERT 12a (101 mins) Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Rutger Hauer, there aren’t many Westerns directed by Starring Sophie Cookson, Stephen Campbell Rebecca Root, Allison Tolman, Carol Kane Moore, Tom Hughes, Judi Dench Directed by Jacques Audiard (USA/France) Frenchmen. Audiard and his regular col- Directed by Trevor Nunn (UK) John C Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix play Eli laborator Thomas Bidegain forged their This biography of Joan Stanley, inspired by and Charlie Sisters, siblings who make a screenplay from the 2011 novel by Patrick the life of the KGB spy Melita Norwood, fol- living killing. But when they are hired to deWitt and the film won Audiard the Silver lows her early days at Cambridge, right up to eliminate the gold prospector Hermann Lion award at the Venice Film Festival, her fight with dementia in her 80s. Kermit Warm (Riz Ahmed), Eli starts to suf- along with glowing reviews. Released Fri 19 April fer a crisis of conscience. Set in 1850, the Released Fri 5 April

Bel Canto CERT 15 (100 mins) Starring Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe, Se- CERT 15 (93 mins) bastian Koch, Christopher Lambert, Ryo Kase, Eighth Grade The World Is Yours Olek Krupa, Elsa Zylberstein Starring Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily CERT 15 (96 mins) Directed by Paul Weitz (USA) Robinson, Jake Ryan Directed by Bo Burnham (USA) Starring Gabby Rose, Karim Leklou, Vincent When a world-class soprano (Julianne Cassel, Isabelle Adjani, François Damiens Directed by Romain Gavras (France) Moore) agrees to perform for a Japanese in- dustrialist (Ken Watanabe) in South Africa, A drug dealer is desperate to change his life, she finds herself in the middle of a hostage so his next job, he swears, will be his last. crisis. Paul Weitz directs his own adaptation And we’ve all heard that before. The French of the novel by Ann Patchett. comedy was shot in France and in Benidorm in Spain. Released Fri 26 April Released Fri 26 April

As her transition to high school approaches, eighth-grader Kayla Day (Fisher) struggles with issues of social anxiety. Even so, she posts motivational videos on YouTube, which is a bit rich. The comedy-drama, the first from Bo Burnham, received raves and numer- ous prizes in the US. Released Fri 26 April

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Visual Arts previews from around the region

Freya Dooley: Somewhere In The Crowd There’s You Eastside Projects, Birmingham, until Sat 27 April “I work with writing, moving image, sound and performance,” explains Gloucestershire- born artist Freya Dooley. “In my work, I create fragmented monologues, dialogues, sound- tracks and auto/biographical semi-fictions, often by combining literary and pop-culture references.” The most obvious pop-culture reference in Freya’s latest solo project is the title itself, a lyric from the 1980 Abba song, Super Trouper. A multi-channel sound installation, the show layers collected vocals, earworm hooks, choral fragments and field recordings, oscil- lating between synchronisation and discord. Freya’s aim is to explore both the potential and the limitations of the live and recorded voice, in order to investigate the shared expe- rience of listening and the effort required to listen.

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Visual Arts

Hew Locke: Here’s The Thing Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until Sun 2 June This exploration of the languages of colonial and post-colonial power, and the symbols through which different cultures assume and as- sert identity, marks the most comprehensive ex- hibition to date of work by Hew Locke. The Edinburgh-born sculptor and contemporary visual artist uses a range of media including painting, drawing, photography and installation to fuse historical source material with his keen interest in current affairs. “I hope that the viewer will initially be visually attracted to a piece,” explains Hew, “but that they will then become aware that complex histo- ries have been woven into the work; histories that are there for them to unpick.”

Brave: The Girls Of South Sudan Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, until Sun 19 May Global children’s charity Plan International UK is the organisation behind this thought- provoking exhibition by photojournalist Kate Holt, who travelled to war-torn South Sudan to document the experiences of some of the country’s teenage girls. “I was married in January last year when I was 14,” says Akujang, one of the girls featured in the exhibition. “My husband is 18 years old. I’m his first wife. I’m the eldest girl, so it was my job to cook and work in the garden, so I never went to school. I was married off - I did not have a choice. When I was pregnant, there were some days I had no food. It was difficult being pregnant with no food. Now I’m breast-feeding, but sometimes I have no milk and it is hard because my baby cries... If I eat enough, I have milk for a day, but if I don’t eat, there isn’t enough...” Apollo 50 The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 3 November Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, until Sun 2 June The Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition makes a welcome return to the Herbert this month in the form of 100 stunning images. The on-show pics were selected by expert judges and drawn from a staggering 45,000-plus entries, the images being rated for their creativity, originality and technical excellence. A half-century ago this July the 21st, Neil Arm- Open both to professional and amateur strong took one small step for (a) man, one giant snappers, the competition celebrates leap for mankind when he became the first per- biodiversity, promotes conservation and son ever to set foot on the surface of the moon. champions ethical photography. In the This special exhibition commemorates that his- process, it also provides visitors with the toric occasion, bringing together 50 models and opportunity to view dramatic landscapes memorabilia in a multimedia display which re- and endangered habitats, as well as to counts the epic story of the Apollo programme. come face-to-face with some of the The show also traces the history of rocketry, as world’s most bizarre species. well as featuring a selection of models of sci- ence-fiction spacecraft.

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Eggcellent events from around the region Easter

The Great Easter Dragon Egg Hunt Ludlow Castle, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April The chance to explore medieval ruins while hunting for dragon’s eggs is the Easter holiday family day out on offer at Ludlow Castle this month. Youngsters are urged to get on the hunt asap before the eggs hatch and the town finds it- self overrun with baby dragons. There are small prizes up for grabs too, so make sure your egg-finding antennae is up and running in readiness for the challenge!

Easter Adventure Quest Egg-Citing Easter Celebrations Kenilworth Castle and Witley Court Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April & Gardens, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April Experience the weird and wonderful Easter The museum’s holiday-entertainment line-up Join a sure-to-be-fun hunt for practices of years gone by at the Black Country also features a reenactment of a springtime dragon eggs at two of the Midands’ Living Museum this Easter. Take part in tradi- wedding and the not-so-romantic antics of most popular visitor attractions tional street games, including egg dancing and numerous costumed characters performing this Easter holiday. egg tapping, or get hands-on with ‘crafty’ activi- street theatre! Crack the clues as you and your ties such as egg painting and card writing. family follow the trail around the grounds of either Kenilworth Cas- tle or Witley Court (or both!). Intrepid adventurers who track Great Easter offer! Enjoy Birmingham’s National Sea Life Centre down the dragon eggs will not only be given a certificate to mark their and Legoland Discovery Centre with a fabulous combi ticket! achievement but will also receive a Midlands families can enjoy two of Birmingham delicious chocolate treat! city centre’s top visitor attractions for only £25 per person this Easter. National Sea Life Centre Birmingham and Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham are offer- ing a fantastic combined experience courtesy of a special combi ticket offer. The National Sea Life Centre is home to more than 2,000 creatures (including a colony of gen- too penguins, black-tip reef sharks and a giant green sea turtle), many of which have been res- cued or successfully bred as part of the global Easter Family Craft Sea Life breeding initiative... Activities Having opened in summer 2018, Legoland Dis- Coventry Transport Museum, covery Centre is the ultimate indoor Lego play- Sat 13 - Sat 27 April ground - a world of colour, creativity and fun for Coventry Transport Museum is children of all ages. The popular attraction fea- running some ‘eggs’tra-special tures a Lego creative workshop, two rides, a 4D craft activities this month, offering cinema, a Lego Friends building zone, a Lego families the opportunity to let their City soft play area and plenty more... imaginations run wild as they set The combi ticket is valid for 90 days - meaning about the challenge of inventing that you don’t need to visit both attractions on some eggstremely marvellous egg- the same day! - and can be purchased by visiting related machines. either: visitsealife.com/birmingham or birming- Sounds like a, er, cracking day out ham.legolanddiscoverycentre.co.uk to us... whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 16:55 Page 3

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Eggcellent events from around the region Easter

St George At Easter The Commandery, Worcester, Mon 22 April This family-friendly Easter Mon- day celebration of England’s pa- tron saint features a range of entertainment to enjoy, including storytelling sessions, perform- ances by reenactors, mummers play and plenty of craft activities for kids of all ages and abilities.

Easter at Birmingham of its current exhibitions - Leonardo da Vinci: A Animal Easter Trail Life In Drawing and Too Cute! Sweet Is About RAF Museum, Cosford, Museums To Get Sinister... Sat 13 - Sun 28 April Visit birminghammuseums.org.uk for specific Celebrate National Tea Day on Sunday the 21st New for 2019, the RAF Museum is dates, times and costs of individual events in the splendid surroundings of Aston Hall, as hosting this suitable-for-all-ages Birmingham Museums is providing a whole the Grade I listed Jacobean house transforms animal Easter trail around its host of fun ways in which families can enjoy into ‘Aston in Wonderland’. Youngsters can hangars. The Easter Bunny is themselves this Easter holiday... meet their favourite Lewis Carroll characters looking for his animal friends and At Thinktank science museum - as well as the over a nice cup of tea or two, with the Mad Hat- wants visitors to help him find opening of its brand new 4K Planetarium, the ter, the ever-so-grumpy Queen of Hearts and them. Provide him with some only one in the West Midlands - there’s also Alice herself among those in attendance... much-needed assistance, com- Smethwick Engine Steaming Day taking place The Trust’s other sites of , the plete the trail and pick up a much- on Wednesday the 17th, an event that allows Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, , deserved chocolatey prize! visitors to see first hand the power of the and are also get- world’s oldest working steam engine... ting into the Easter spirit by holding a variety Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is present- of craft activities and workshops across the Easter ing numerous Easter activities inspired by two holiday period. Eggstravaganza Cadbbury World, Bournville, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April What better place to start your Easter Crafts at Ironbridge Easter celebrations than at the Gorge Museums home of one of the world’s biggest chocolate brands! Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Fri 12 - Fri 26 April, Coalport China Cadbury World has once again Museum, Ironbridge, Sat 13 - Sun 28 April cracked out the fun with its an- Young artists can enjoy some spring-in- nual Easter Eggstravaganza event, spired ‘crafty’ fun in Ironbridge this Easter. this time featuring an exclusive The Jackfield Tile Museum is hosting drop- stage show starring Mr Cadbury’s in tile-decorating workshops, where young- parrot. sters can try their hand at producing An Easter egg trail and an Easter floral-themed designs using the Victorian bonnet competition also feature in tube lining technique. the line-up of entertainment. Over at Coalport China Museum, mean- while, there are daily sessions in which children can use quick-drying paint to dec- orate a money box, fridge magnet or paper plate with spring flowers including daf- fodils, tulips and bluebells.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebrations Stratford-upon-Avon, Sat 27 April If living so long were possible, would’ve been 455 this month - and his hometown of Stratford-upon- Avon is set to celebrate the occa- sion! Highlights of the day include a colourful parade through the town centre - com- plete with an appearance by the man himself! - a Knights & Nymphs children’s garden party and a mass-movement dance piece performed by local and re- Kidtropolis Pinkfong and his best friend get dancing - and gional community groups. appearances by TV royalty Sam and Mark, who’ll NEC, Birmingham, Sat 13 - Mon 15 April be hosting their very own live show on the Satur- Not sure where to take the kids during the Easter day and Sunday. holiday? Fear not, for popular children’s event Also announced for this year is a 200ft-long in- Kidtropolis is returning to Birmingham’s NEC for flatable assault course that allows children to a second year. venture through a number of different and imagi- Attractions at the 2019 edition of the event in- native zones, including the Arctic and a jungle. clude a Baby Shark live mini show - in which

Ice Age: The Lost Kingdom creatures) a woolly mammoth, sabre toothed tiger, woolly rhinoceros, giant sloth and short- Birmingham Botanical Gardens, faced bear. Sat 6 - Sun 28 April The first outdoor experience of its kind in the Now here’s a brand new attraction designed to UK, the show takes families on a walkthrough leave your youngsters well and truly journey that sees the Ice Age cleverly recreated awestruck... with scenery and props. Featuring more than 40 impressive installations The attraction also features a mini cinema, of animated life-sized beasts, Ice Age: The Lost street food & drink stalls, a fossil excavation pit Kingdom provides visitors with the chance to and a merchandise shop from which to pur- Into The Wild come face to face with (among other impressive chase an Ice Age memento to take home. Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry, Sat 13 - Sat 27 April Children visiting Herbert Art Gallery this Easter can get cre- ative through a wide range of wildlife-themed activities. Drop-in sessions during the first week, exploring the theme of ‘under the sea’, feature sea-scene printing workshops, the chance to make whale-inspired sun catchers and the opportunity to create tropical fish out of clay. The second week’s workshops - taking the theme of ‘wild beasts’ - provide youngsters with the chance to marble paint their own tiger, build a wild clay creature and design a roaring rag lion.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Kapow! West Mid Showground, Shrews- bury, Sat 27 April Raising funds for local charity Severn Hospice, Kapow! sees West Mid Showground turned into a giant inflatable obstacle course for the day. As the name of the event would suggest (well, at least to anyone who remembers the kitsch and classic Batman TV series from the 1960s), ‘superheroes’ is very much a theme of the event. Participants are encouraged to grab a cape, make a cowl or wear a magic bracelet to help channel their inner Superman or Wonder Woman.

St George’s Day armour, and trying out some traditional games in the company of the castle’s very own Lady Fre- Celebrations ville. Tamworth Castle, Sat 20 April Out in the grounds, families can sample the Tamworth Castle is holding a truly medieval ex- pleasures of archery, enjoy watching a spectacu- perience for this month’s St George’s Day. lar medieval joust, walk around a medieval en- Visitors can get hands-on with the castle’s living- campment, chat to numerous street entertainers history experiences by having a go at doing the and steer the kids in the direction of a host of laundry, learning about medieval weaponry & children’s activities. Explorasaurus Mini Madness Evening Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Fri 12 April Sat 6 - Sun 28 April Dudley goes dino-crazy for a day British Motor Museum is kickstarting Mini’s 60th this month. birthday celebrations with a host of themed fam- Visiting families can get involved ily activities taking place throughout the month. in dinosaur-themed craft activi- Visitors can enjoy informative family tours with ties, head out on a treasure hunt a Mini-mad mechanic character, follow a Mini to complete a special ‘dino direc- Trail and make their very own Mini using air dry tory’, grab a pith helmet for a clay. photo opportunity and have a go Over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, kids can at excavating fossils like a real enjoy a traditional Easter Egg hunt but wi th a palaeontologist. special Mini twist, collecting eggs around the And if you think you’re the biggest museum to claim their Mini Egg reward. dinosaur fan around, there’s a not-to-be-missed Triassic trivia Motorfest quiz to test your knowledge of all Chetwynd Deer Park, Newport, things big & prehistoric. Sun 21 & Mon 22 April Up to 1,000 classic cars from the 1930s to the 1990s will be in evidence at this two-day motor show, which is being held at Chetwynd Deer Park for the first time. Other event attractions include more than 30 local car clubs, trader & autojumble stalls, live arena parades, live music, face painting, a disco and plenty of party games.

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 The List Cover April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:02 Page 1 The List Cover April Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:02 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide AprilApril 20192019 thelist

Nina Nesbitt plays O2 Institute, Birmingham - Tuesday 16 April

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 April Mon 8 to Sun 14 April Mon 15 to Sun 21 April Mon 22 to Tues 30 April

The Wonderful World Of Disney Easter Egg Hunt at Trump The Musical Rufus Wainwright at On Ice at Resorts World Arena Blakesley Hall at the Old Joint Stock Theatre Symphony Hall Wed 3 - Sun 7 April Sat 13 - Mon 22 April Wed 17 - Mon 22 April Mon 22 April

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Birmingham 1-7 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 14:36 Page 1

thelist ANAAL NATHRAKH + AK- THROUGHOUT APRIL ERCOCKE Fri 5 Apr, The Asylum, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham MAX & HARVEY Sat 6 Visual Arts MADE AT MAC: NEW MAC TUTORS Exhi- Apr, O2 Academy, Birmingham Museum & bition to celebrate and recognise the Birmingham Art Gallery creative talents of both the artist-tu- THE AC/DC EXPERIENCE WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND tors who teach the courses and the Sat 6 Apr, O2 THE SELF Exhibition examining how hundreds of people who take part, Academy, Birmingham social, historical and cultural factors until Sun 7 Apr DRENGE Sat 6 Apr, O2 affect body image, and how this is ex- ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY: INTER- Institute, Birmingham pressed through objects and art- NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION ICONIC EYE + BLOOD works, until Sun 5 May IPE 161 Comprising 100 images by 54 RED & DEVIL IN DORIAN LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING contemporary photographers, Sat 30 Sat 6 Apr, Route 44, To mark the 500th anniversary of the Mar - Sun 12 May Birmingham death of Leonardo da Vinci, 12 of the HANDSWORTH SELF-PORTRAIT Exhibi- MOHO: STRAIGHT OUTTA Renaissance master's drawings from tion featuring images from a 1979 COMPTON Sat 6 Apr, the Royal Collection are displayed as ‘selfie’ photographic project, until Mama Roux’s, B’ham part of 12 simultaneous exhibitions Sun 2 June Lady Bird - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham across the UK, until Mon 6 May LEFT FOR RED Sat 6 Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- TOO CUTE!: SWEET IS ABOUT TO GET RBSA Gallery Wed 3 Apr, The Sun- ingham SINISTER A range NEW JAIN MCKAY - IN POSTERUM Jain's flower Lounge, B’ham of artworks that Gigs STEVE GUNN Sat 6 Apr, new show looks at ‘the advent of the DMA'S Thurs 4 Apr, O2 show different Hare & Hounds, Birm- technological singularity and the day WARD THOMAS Mon 1 Academy, Birmingham ingham takes on cute- that artificial intelligence becomes Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- EASY LIFE Thurs 4 Apr, ness, from con- sentient’, Mon 1 Apr - Sat 25 May ingham THE COUNTERFEIT SEV- temporary-based O2 Institute, B’ham ENTIES Sat 6 Apr, Artrix, NEW ART FROM MARS Exhibition of ce- VENTENNER Mon 1 Apr, issues to 19th COSMIC PSYCHOS Thurs Bromsgrove ramics and glass by Mel Mars RBSA The Flapper, B’ham century oil paint- 4 Apr, O2 Institute, that includes stoneware, raku-fired DEBBIE GRAVITTE 'BIG ings, until Sun 12 DENNIS BOVELL Mon 1 Birmingham pots, sui pots and glass pieces, Mon BAND BROADWAY' Sat 6 May Apr, Hare & Hounds, 8 Apr - Sat 8 June FOLK DEVILS Thurs 4 Apr, Pizza Express Birmingham COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS Apr, Hare & Hounds, Live, Birmingham NEW RBSA CANDIDATES 2019 Annual BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- GIORGIO MORODER Mon Birmingham showcase of artwork by artists apply- THE GRIND LIVE! Sat 6 tions that reflect the experiences of 1 Apr, Symphony Hall, ing to be Associates, and Associates DREAM STATE UK Thurs Apr, Birmingham Town diverse Birmingham people - from Birmingham applying to be Members, Mon 15 - 4 Apr, The Flapper, Hall working lives to community activists Sat 27 Apr APRE Tues 2 Apr, Hare Birmingham GIRLI + ASHNIKKO Sat 6 and protest movements, until Sun 27 & Hounds, B’ham Oct SOUL SURVIVORS Thurs Apr, The Castle & Fal- con, Birmingham The Barber Institute DAY, CORBETT & TAMS 4 Apr, The Jam House, Tues 2 Apr, The Jam Birmingham FRANKO FRAIZE Sat 6 THE LAST ROMAN Emperor Justinian I House, Birmingham Eastside Projects BLOXX Thurs 4 Apr, The Apr, The Sunflower (527 - 565 AD), the so-called ‘last THE RANGE New works by Hashim Ali ETTA BOND Tues 2 Apr, Castle & Falcon, Birm- Lounge, Birmingham Roman emperor’, rose from peasant (Hawkchild DIY), Ain Bailey, Beverley The Castle & Falcon, ingham beginnings in Serbia to become the GET STONED Sat 6 Apr, Bennett, Adam Farah, Seema Mattu Birmingham most powerful man on earth, until ANGHARAD DAVIES SOLO The Night Owl, Birm- and Zarina Muhammad. Curated by Sun 14 Apr PAUL GILBERT MASTER- AND XHOSA COLE'S ingham Rehana Zaman, until Sat 27 Apr CLASS Tues 2 Apr, GREEK SUITE Thurs 4 FROM OUTSIDE: TESS JARAY The Art ERADIKATOR, INCINERY, SOMEWHERE IN THE CROWD THERE’S Mama Roux’s, B’ham Apr, Midlands Arts Deco architecture of the Barber Insti- FORGED IN BLACK, THE YOU Cardiff-based artist Freya Dooley Centre, Birmingham tute of Fine Arts provides the inspira- KEYWEST Wed 3 Apr, MIGHTY WRAITH Sat 6 works with writing, moving image, tion for this exhibition, until Sun 12 O2 Institute, B’ham AN AUDIENCE WITH ASH Apr, Scruffy Murphy’s, sound and performance, until Sat 27 May LADY BIRD Wed 3 Apr, SHEEHAN Thurs 4 Apr, Birmingham Apr The Actress & Bishop, DRAWING OUT THE SOUND Featuring Hare & Hounds, Birm- RARE AMERICANS Sat 6 ingham Birmingham Apr, The Asylum, Birm- Grand Union artists ranging from Dürer to Renoir, this print display brings together KESTON COBBLERS CLUB BOYZ II MEN Fri 5 Apr, ingham LAUREN GAULT: DRYE EYES A series of works that reflect on the changing Wed 3 Apr, The Red O2 Academy, B’ham NORMAN JAY MBE Sat 6 sculptural moments, through objects meanings of music in society, until Lion Folk Club, B’ham GLAMOUR OF THE KILL - Sun 7 Apr, Hare & and sound, until Sat 13 Apr Sun 19 May MARSICANS + CHILD / Fri 5 Apr, O2 Institute, Hounds, Birmingham JOANNE MASDING: BRUNTWOOD COR- IVORY WAVE Wed 3 Birmingham HENGE Sun 7 Apr, The NERBLOCK COMMISSION Permanent in- Apr, Mama Roux’s, BENEATH MY SINS Fri 5 Sunflower Lounge, stallation made by artist and Grand Other VISUAL ARTS Birmingham Apr, Scruffy Murphy’s, Birmingham Union studio holder Joanne Masding, NEW ‘I CAUGHT A GLIMPSE' BY SOLIHULL Birmingham until Fri 5 July COLLEGE Exhibition of work by HND BOB LOG III Wed 3 Apr, THE CATWALK VILLIANS Photography students at Solihull Col- Hare & Hounds, Birm- SMOOVE & TURRELL Fri AND THE INDEPENDENT Ikon Gallery lege & University Centre, Wed 3 - ingham 5 Apr, Hare & Hounds, COUNTRY Sun 7 Apr, Mon 15 Apr, The Core Theatre, Soli- STAND ATLANTIC Wed 3 Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- NEW FORWARD: NEW ART FROM BIRM- hull Apr, The Asylum, Birm- ingham INGHAM Showcase offering an acces- BRYAN CORBETT BAND ingham MO AMER & GUZ KHAN sible alternative to Forward: New Art NEW 'ATMOSPHERE' BY LINDEN ROAD Fri 5 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Sun 7 Apr, O2 From Birmingham, an offsite exhibi- ARTISTS A selection of recent paint- KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY Academy, Birmingham tion presented earlier this year at ings from a diverse group of Midland Wed 3 Apr, The Jam BURNING RAIN Fri 5 Apr, Medicine Bakery & Gallery. The artists responding to one central House, Birmingham The Castle & Falcon, IAN MCNABB Sun 7 Apr, artists showcased all live and work in theme, Wed 17 Apr - Mon 6 May, The NIGHT FLOWERS + Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- Core Theatre, Solihul ingham this city, Tues 9 - Sun 14 Apr HOMECOMINGS + THE BOO HERWERDINE Fri 5 SUNSET BEACH HUT Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove

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Monday 1 - Sunday 7 April

classes with Thomas Martin, Anthony Classical Music Alcock, Damian Rubido Gonzales, Julian Atkinson and Jeremy Watt, ANAIS GAUDEMARD IN RECITAL Featur- Sun 7 Apr, Royal Birmingham Con- ing Anaïs Gaudemard (harp). Pro- servatoire gramme includes works by Debussy, Fauré, Pépin, Prokofiev, Glinka and Smetna, Tues 2 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Comedy DECIBEL PLAY ED BENNETT Featuring Ed Bennett (composer/Artistic Direc- TEZ ILYAS, ALLAN HAVEY & COMEDY tor/Electronics) & Daniele Rosina CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs (conductor), Tues 2 Apr, The Lab, 4 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Royal Birmingham Conservatoire ANDREW LAWRENCE Fri 5 Apr, The AN EVENING WITH ALFIE BOE Tues 2 - Glee Club, Birmingham Wed 3 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham BILAL ZAFAR Fri 5 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham TEZ ILYAS, ALLAN HAVEY, TOM WRIG- GLESWORTH & GARY MEIKLE Fri 5 - Sat 6 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Jinkx Monsoon & Major Scales - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre & Birmingham Town Hall ALISTAIR BARRIE, JACK GLEADOW, BARRY CASTAGNOLA & BARRY DODDS WISE CHILDREN Emma Rice stars in GINGER SNAPPED Music & mental Sat 6 Apr, The Comedy Loft, B’ham and directs a new staging of Angela health collide in this witty look at the Carter's celebration of showbusiness, dark side of Drag fame, Wed 3 Apr, HARRIET KEMSLEY Sat 6 Apr, Artrix, family, forgiveness and hope, Tues 2 Birmingham Town Hall Bromsgrove - Sat 6 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, AN EVENING WITH KATYA ZAMOLOD- Coventry CHIKOVA RuPaul's Drag Race, Miss LEGALLY BLONDE Amateur staging pre- Congeniality and All Stars S2 finalist CBSO & JOHN WILSON: A PASTORAL sented by Peterbrook Players, Tues 2 Katya presents her new standup SYMPHONY Featuring John Wilson Theatre - Sat 6 Apr, The Core, Solihull show, Help Me I'm Dying, Sun 7 Apr, (conductor), James Ehnes (violin) The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and James Way (tenor). Programme WAR HORSE Acclaimed West End RITA, SUE & BOB TOO New production includes works by Copland, Barber drama based on the novel by Michael of Andrea Dunbar’s semi-autobio- MUSIC HALL TAVERN Comedy drag and Vaughan Williams, Thurs 4 Apr, Morpurgo, until Sat 6 Apr, Regent graphical play, Tues 2 - Sat 6 Apr, show featuring Paul Carroll as Mrs T, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Lichfield Garrick Lee Sanderson as Peggy Lee, and KUNENE AND THE KING World premiere FROM SHORE TO SHORE Tales of love the Showcase International Dancers, CBSO CENTRE STAGE: BARBER & KORN- Sun 7 Apr, Crescent Theatre, B’ham GOLD Featuring Colette Overdijk & of John Kani's 'moving and funny' and loss, struggle and survival, in- Charlotte Skinner (violins); Jessica play, which sees two men from con- spired by the stories of migrant Chi- Tickle & Amy Thomas (violas), Miguel trasting walks of life thrust together to nese communities living in the UK, Fernandes & Helen Edgar (cellos). reflect on a quarter-century of change Tues 2 - Sat 6 Apr, The REP, B’ham Programme comprises Barber’s in South Africa. Sir Antony Sher stars LES MISÉRABLES Cameron Mackin- String Quartet & Korngold’s String alongside Kani; Janice Honeyman di- tosh's acclaimed Broadway produc- Kids Shows rects, until Tues 23 Apr, The Swan Sextet, Fri 5 Apr, CBSO Centre, Birm- tion of Boublil and Schönberg's THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Join the ingham legendary musical, Tues 2 Apr - Sat tea-guzzling tiger in this stage show PIATTI QUARTET Featuring Nathaniel AS YOU LIKE IT Kimberley Sykes di- 11 May, Birmingham Hippodrome for younger audiences. Based on Anderson-Frank & Michael Trainor rects a riotous version of Shake- TIMPSON: THE MUSICAL Gigglemug Nancy Kerr’s much-loved book of the (violins), Tetsuumi Nagata (violin) & speare's romantic comedy, until Sat Theatre’s debut musical, explaining same name, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Apr, Stafford Jessie Ann Richardson (cello). Pro- 31 Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the origins of the high-street cobbler, Gatehouse Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon gramme includes works by Haydn, Wed 3 - Sat 6 Apr, Old Joint Stock BING LIVE! Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Joseph Phibbs & Schubert, Fri 5 Apr, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Shake- Theatre, Birmingham Pando as they learn how to tell sto- Artrix, Bromsgrove speare’s comedy of gender and ma- MARILYN Breakthrough Theatre pre- ries by pretending, dressing up and THALLEIN ENSEMBLE & THUMB CONTEM- terialism is turned on its head to offer sents a one-woman show following singing songs. A perfect introduction PORARY MUSIC ENSEMBLE Featuring a fresh perspective on his portrayal of the dark and thrill-filled life of Marilyn to theatre for young children, Sat 6 - Dan Watson (conductor). Programme hierarchy and power, until Sat 31 Monroe, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Apr, Stafford Sun 7 Apr, The REP, Birmingham comprises Stuart Stevens’ Inner Ring Aug, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Gatehouse Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon & All About and to a Female Artist, Fri THE SOUNDS OF RODGERS & HAMMER- 5 Apr, Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham THEY CAME FROM MARS AND LANDED STEIN Marilyn Hill Smith (Mother Conservatoire OUTSIDE THE FARNDALE AVENUE Abbess in the recent national tour of FRANCO FAGIOLI: VINCI AND HANDEL CHURCH HALL Amateur staging of The Sound Of Music) heads the cast Featuring Il Pomo d'Oro and Franco David McGillivray & Walter Zerlin as they sing their way through classic Dance Jnr’s sci-fi thriller, Fri 29 Mar - Sat 6 Fagioli (countertenor). Programme in- musical theatre shows, Sun 7 Apr, THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE Apr, Hall Green Little Theatre, B’ham cludes works by Durante, Vinci, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Midland Theatre Ballet presents a Hasse, Handel and Fiorenza, Sun 7 COLLABORATION The Crescent Theatre choreographed version of CS Lewis’ Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Company presents its version of fantastical tale, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Apr, THE PEOPLE’S ORCHESTRA The Peo- Ronald Harwood’s powerful play, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham which explores the relationship be- ple’s Orchestra celebrate their sev- DORRIDGE MUSIC SCHOOL: A FUSION OF tween composer Richard Strauss & Cabaret enth anniversary with an evening of MUSIC AND DANCE More than 300 per- his librettist, Stephan Zweig, Sat 30 video game pieces and original com- JINKX MONSOON & MAJOR SCALES: THE formers from DMS Heart of England Mar - Sat 6 Apr, The Crescent The- positions, including themes from GINGER SNAPPED Music & mental Music Academy - plus dance atre, Birmingham World of Warcraft, Zelda, Skyrim & health collide in this witty look at the schools, choirs and celebrity guests - Tetris, Sun 7 Apr, West Bromwich DIRTY DANCING The classic story of dark side of Drag fame, Mon 1 Apr, present a concert featuring rock, pop Town Hall Baby & Johnny returns... Mon 1 - Sat Stafford Gatehouse Theatre and classical music, Sun 7 Apr, Sym- DOUBLE BASS DAY Featuring master- 6 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre JINKX MONSOON & MAJOR SCALES: THE phony Hall, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 1 - Sunday 7 April Greene, Moe Dunford. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 5 - Sat 6 & Talks Wed 10 Apr DAVID GOWER: ON THE FRONT DOOR An evening with the former England US (18) Horror/Thriller. Starring Lupita cricket captain, Fri 5 Apr, Midlands Nyong’o, Winston Duke. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 5 - Sat 6, Mon 8 - Thurs 11 Apr DEEDS NOT WORDS: THE STORY OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS, THEN AND NOW Par- NOTTING HILL (18) Comedy/Drama. ticipatory and wide-ranging discus- Starring Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts. sion on women’s lives, reflecting on This showing is with brunch. The the changes in the UK since the right Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, to a parliamentary vote was first Sat 6 Apr granted to some women in 1918. Led A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (18) Drama/Sci- by Helen Pankhurst, Fri 5 Apr, Engi- Fi. Starring Malcolm McDowell, nuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shrop- Patrick Magee. The Mockingbird Cin- shire ema, Birmingham, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Apr THE MALTESE FALCON (PG) Film- Noir/Mystery. Starring Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor. Electric Cinema, Film Birmingham, from Sun 7 Apr INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: The Wonderful World Of Disney On Ice - Resorts World, Birmingham CAPTAIN MARVEL (12a) Adventure/Sci- Released from Thurs 4 Apr, showing local archaeologist Mike Hodder enti- Easter, Sun 7 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Fi. Starring Brie Larson, Gemma at selected cinemas Chan. The Mockingbird Cinema, tled ‘Fired clay: pottery, brick and tile Birmingham PET SEMATARY (tbc) Birmingham, until Thurs 4 Apr manufacture in Birmingham’, Sun 7 THE FAST SHOW Featuring huge club Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham EVERYBODY KNOWS (15) Crime/Drama. HOLY LANDS (tbc) stand displays, Run What Ya Brung, Starring Penélope Cruz, Javier Bar- MISSING LINK (PG) EASTER SPRING WREATH CRAFT WORK- FWD drag racing, drifting, stunt dis- SHOP FOR ADULTS Artist Gilly Page plays, jet car, a trade village, caterers, dem. Foreign language, subtitled. SHAZAM! (tbc) Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, shows visitors how to design and cre- funfair rides and more, Sun 7 Apr, until Thurs 4 Apr THE KEEPER (15) ate their own spring wreath for Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough PIERCING (18) Horror/Thriller. Starring THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) Christopher Abbott, Mia Wasikowska. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, until Thurs 4 Apr OF LOVE & LAW (15) Documentary. For- eign language, subtitled. Midlands Events Arts Centre, Birmingham, Mon 1 Apr THE LEGO MOVIE DAYS Join Emmet, WILD ROSE (15) Drama/Music. Starring Wyldstyle and the gang with exclu- Julie Walters, Jessie Buckley. Electric sive building activities, out-of-this- Cinema, Birmingham, from Mon 1 world character experiences, Apr interactive photo opportunities and DUMBO (U) Family/Fantasy. Starring more, until Sun 28 Apr, Legoland Dis- Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton. Electric covery Centre, Birmingham Cinema, Birmingham, from Mon 1 Apr

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY ON ICE! Enter a dazzling world of adven- ALL IS TRUE (12A) Biography/Drama. ture! Wed 3 - Sun 7 Apr, Resorts Starring Kenneth Branagh, Lolita World Arena, Birmingham Chakrabarti. Electric Cinema, Birm- MR CADBURY'S PARROT AND THE MISS- ingham, Mon 1 & Thurs 4 Apr ING MINI-EGGS Featuring Cadbury's LORDS OF CHAOS (18) Biography/Hor- very own loveable parrot, Sat 6 - Sun ror. Starring Rory Culkin, Emory 28 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham Cohen. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, THE FALCONER'S QUEST Up to 70 birds from Fri 5 Apr of prey take to the skies in a display FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS (12A) Com- of aerial acrobatics, Sat 6 Apr - Thurs edy/Drama. Starring James Purefoy, 31 Oct, Warwick Castle Tuppence Middleton. Midlands Arts OPEN ASTON Wander around the Centre, Birmingham, Fri 5 - Tues 9 grand old mansion, Sun 7 Apr, Aston Apr Hall, Birmingham ROSIE (12A) Drama. Starring Sarah SUNDAY LOCAL HISTORY TALK Talk by

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thelist Monday 8 - Sunday 14 April Gigs Classical Comedy

CHRIS YOUNG Mon 8 MARC MARON Mon 8 Apr, The REP, Apr, O2 Academy, Music Birmingham Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT: TALKING TOMMY TIERNAN Tues 9 Apr, Birming- ORLA GARTLAND Mon 8 ITALIAN Programme includes works ham Town Hall Apr, The Sunflower by Bach, Frescobaldi, Corelli, DAZ BLACK Tues 9 Apr, The Glee Lounge, Birmingham Morandi, Ponchielli, Yon & Bossi, Club, Birmingham Mon 8 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham THE HUNNA Mon 8 - SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Tues 9 Apr, The Tues 9 Apr, O2 Insti- LUNCHTIME MUSIC WITH JENNIFER PIKE Glee Club, Birmingham (VIOLIN) & MAHAN ESFAHANI (HARPSI- tute, Birmingham IVO GRAHAM Wed 10 Apr, The Glee CHORD) Programme includes works Club, Birmingham SHAWN MENDES Tues 9 by Bach & Piston, Tues 9 Apr, The Apr, Arena B’ham Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Con- MICKY P. KERR Wed 10 Apr, The Glee JAMES TW Tues 9 Apr, servatoire Club, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Shawn Mendes - CBSO: SIBELIUS AND NIELSEN Featur- EMILY ATACK Thurs 11 Apr, The Old ART SCHOOL GIRL- ing Michael Seal (conductor) and Rep Theatre, Birmingham Apr, The Castle & Fal- FRIEND Tues 9 Apr, + YEAR ZERO Sat 13 Christopher Maltman (baritone). Pro- COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- con, Birmingham Apr, The Sunflower Hare & Hounds, Birm- gramme includes works by Sibelius, SON & COMEDIAN TBC Thurs 11 Apr, Lounge, Birmingham ingham LEGENDS LIVE Fri 12 Mahler and Nielsen, Wed 10 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Apr, Resorts World Symphony Hall, Birmingham TVAM Tues 9 Apr, Hare E3UK LIVE Sat 13 Apr, PAUL MCCAFFREY, MIKE WILMOT, Arena, Birmingham Arena Birmingham & Hounds, B’ham FRONTIERS SERIES; BIRMINGHAM NEW MICKEY SHARMA & SEAN PERCIVAL Fri BEN DRUMMOND Tues 9 BILLY LOCKETT Fri 12 THE PAGANS SOH + THE MUSIC Concert of new works by 12 - Sat 13 Apr, The Glee Club, Birm- Apr, The Jam House, Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- MOODS Sat 13 Apr, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire ingham ingham composers, featuring a wide range Birmingham Actress & Bishop, RICH WILSON, JOE SUTHERLAND, Birmingham of styles utilising the flexible layout of LONG BEACH DUB ALL- JEREMY SASSOON Fri GEORGE EGG & FREDDY QUINN Sat 13 the Lab in a creative and inventive STARS Tues 9 Apr, The 12 Apr, Pizza Express HOSTILE Sat 13 Apr, O2 Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham way, Wed 10 Apr, The Lab. Royal Asylum, Birmingham Live, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Conservatoire LOU SANDERS Sat 13 Apr, Midlands ABC: THE LEXICON OF 60S INVASION Fri 12 MEADOWLARK Sat 13 Arts Centre, Birmingham BEHN QUARTET & EMANUIL IVANOV LOVE Tues 9 Apr, Sym- Apr, The Old Rep, Apr, The Cuban Em- (PIANO) Programme comprises phony Hall, B’ham Birmingham bassy, Birmingham Franck’s Piano Quintet, Wed 10 Apr, MAVERICK SABRE Wed BON GIOVI Fri 12 Apr, ZACK KNIGHT Sat 13 Symphony Hall, Birmingham 10 Apr, O2 Institute, The Robin, Bilston Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- THE OPERA BOYS Thurs 11 Apr, Birmingham ingham TRIBUTE TO EDDIE VED- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Theatre SUNDARA KARMA Wed DER Fri 12 Apr, O2 STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: SCHUBERT’S STRING QUARTET Featur- THE TRICK A magic show about get- 10 Apr, O2 Institute, Academy, Birmingham LED ZEPPELIN MASTERS ing Jonathan Martindale & Jane ting older and coming to terms with Birmingham Sat 13 Apr, Symphony SPREADING THE DIS- Wright (violins); Michael Jenkinson loss, Mon 8 - Tues 9 Apr, The REP, Hall, Birmingham THE TRIALS OF CATO EASE EP LAUNCH Fri 12 (viola) & Kate Setterfield & Catherine Birmingham Apr, Scruffy Murphy’s, CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. Wed 10 Apr, The Red Ardagh-Walter (cellos). Programme MEMORY LANE Rollercoaster journey Birmingham ESTATE Sat 13 Apr, O2 Lion Folk Club, B’ham comprises Schubert’s String Quintet through some of the greatest songs Institute, Birmingham IRMA VEP Wed 10 Apr, THE SIXTIES INVASION in C, Thurs 11 Apr, CBSO Centre, of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, Mon 8 - Hare & Hounds, Birm- TOUR Fri 12 Apr, The REBEL REBEL - DAVID Birmingham Tues 9 Apr, The Core, Solihull Old Rep Theatre, BOWIE TRIBUTE Sat 13 ingham CBSO: CLASSIC FM'S MOVIE CLASSICS THE LONG ROAD Amateur staging of Birmingham Apr, Route 44, B’ham AUTHOR + PUNISHER Featuring Michael Seal (conductor), Shelagh Stephenson’s powerful Wed 10 Apr, Hare & MASSIVE WAGONS Fri CARIBBEAN ROCKS 2019 Andrew Collins (presenter), Oliver play, Mon 8 - Sat 13 Apr, Oldbury Hounds, Birmingham 12 Apr, The Asylum, FT. DEXTA DAPS, Janes (clarinet) and Martin James Rep Birmingham SHENSEEA, MOTTO, Bartlett (piano). Programme includes ANTEROS, REDFACES WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT BOBBY Darkly MARZVILLE, DJ NATE Sat works by Strauss, Handel, Mozart, Thurs 11 Apr, Mama CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. comic drama that pulls apart the life 13 Apr, O2 Institute, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov Roux’s, Birmingham POLARY Fri 12 Apr, O2 of a child actor, exploring society’s Institute, Birmingham Birmingham and more, Fri 12 Apr, Symphony HOLY MOLY AND THE uneasy fascination with violent chil- JETSKI BABYLON Sat 13 Hall, Birmingham CRACKERS Thurs 11 CIVIL WRONGS Fri 12 - dren, Tues 9 - Thurs 11 Apr, Old Apr, The Asylum, Birm- NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREAT Apr, O2 Academy, Sat 13 Apr, The Jam Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham ingham BRITAIN Featuring Carlos Miguel Pri- Birmingham House, Birmingham AMERICAN IDIOT Green Day’s explo- BRIGADE WITH SPECIAL eto (conductor) and Xiayin Wang NILÜFER YANYA Thurs GENESIS CONNECTED Fri sive rock musical returns to mark the GUESTS FALLEN MAFIA (piano). Programme includes works 11 Apr, Hare & 12 - Sat 13 Apr, Artrix, show’s 10th anniversary and the Sat 13 Apr, Scruffy by Carlos Chávez, Gershwin, Cop- Hounds, Birmingham Bromsgrove land and Revueltas, Sun 14 Apr, 15th anniversary of the Grammy Murphy’s, Birmingham Award-winning original album, Tues ALEX REX Thurs 11 Apr, SHAKKA Sat 13 Apr, O2 Symphony Hall, Birmingham WALK RIGHT BACK - THE 9 - Sat 13 Apr, The Alexandra The- Hare & Hounds, Birm- Academy, Birmingham STORY OF THE EVERLY atre, Birmingham ingham ATHENS Sat 13 Apr, BROTHERS Sun 14 Apr, A BRAVE FACE Worcestershire-based BRIAN MCFADDEN Thurs The Flapper, B’ham The Alexandra The- full mask theatre company Vamos 11 Apr, The Jam THE ORB Sat 13 Apr, atre, Birmingham explore the subject of post-traumatic House, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birm- TOM WILLIAMS Sun 14 stress, Wed 10 Apr, Artrix, Broms- THE LINDISFARNE ingham Apr, O2 Academy, grove STORY Thurs 11 Apr, THE SMITHS TRIBUTE Birmingham OUT LOUD Stage production raising Artrix, Bromsgrove Sat 13 Apr, The Flap- JIM JONES AND THE awareness of climate change, Wed LEAH MCFALL Thurs 11 per, Birmingham RIGHTEOUS MIND Sun 10 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Birm- Apr, The Asylum, Birm- THE MEN THAT WILL NOT 14 Apr, Hare & ingham ingham BE BLAMED FOR NOTH- Hounds, Birmingham SPARKPLUG Box Of Tricks presents a THE XCERTS Thurs 11 ING + LOUISE DISTRAS whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 8 - 14 April.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 10:10 Page 3

thelist Kids Shows Events DEAR ZOO LIVE! Puppetry and audi- MINI MUSEUM ENGINEERS - TOOL ence participation feature in a show SKILLS Use your skills with hammers, based on Rod Campbell’s children’s nuts and bolts, screws and screw- book, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Apr, The drivers to make engineering master- Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippo- pieces, Wed 10 Apr, Coventry drome Transport Museum TREASURE ISLAND Swashbuckling FLORAL TILE DECORATING Create your story of the seven seas - suitable for own floral-themed designs at family children aged three-plus, Sat 13 Apr, drop-in tile decorating workshops on The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham weekdays over the Easter break, Fri 12 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Iron- bridge, Shropshire Dance SILENT LINES Russell Maliphant Com- pany presents a groundbreaking new dance production with video artist Panagiotis Tomaras and a new team of dancers, Tues 9 Apr, The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome

EXPLORASAURUS EVENING Get stuck in to all things dino-tastic, Fri 12 Apr, Jennifer Pike & Mahan Esfahani Talks Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust THE VINTAGE NATIONALS Get-together CONRAD AKER - HOLD FAST: YOSEMITE Recital Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Tues 9 April of traditional hot rods and customs, TO EVEREST TO MERU One of the Fri 12 - Sat 13 Apr, Santa Pod Race- A former BBC Young Musician of the Year - winning the title at the world’s greatest climbers talks all way, Wellingborough tender age of 12 - highly rated English violinist Jennifer Pike here things mountaineering, including the PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally joins harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani to play two sonatas by Bach 1924 Mallory & Irvine Everest expedi- tion, Thurs 11 Apr, Birmingham Town grown plants for every type of gar- and American composer Walter Piston’s neo-classical Sonatina, Hall den, Sat 13 Apr, Sandwell Valley written in 1945. “I view myself as being a vessel for the com- Country Park, West Bromwich poser’s intentions,” explains Jennifer in talking about her ap- CREATE AN EASTER RAG WREATH Em- proach to musicmaking. “It isn’t the performer who everyone brace the traditional art of rag rug should be coming to enjoy, it’s the composer’s music.” making with an Easter twist on one of Film the workshops, Sat 13 Apr, Birming- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ham Back to Backs 'punchy & poetic' exploration of fam- SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET AUDIO DESCRIPTIVE TOUR - A DAY IN ily, race, identity and love, Wed 10 - THEATRE: SUPERHEROES New show of SOMETHING LEFT BEHIND (15) Docu- THE LIFE OF DANNY THE HORSE Meet Sat 13 Apr, The REP, Birmingham songs, sketches, socks & violence mentary. Starring The Wedding Pre- Danny in Carter's Yard and discover TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY from the award-winning comedy duo, sent. Followed by Q&A with director the contributions of horse transport in BINGO An evening celebrating bingo, Sat 13 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Andrew Jezard. Midlands Arts Cen- the 19th century, Sat 13 Apr, Black music, tea and laughter, as Tina spins YOU CHOOSE! Brand new interactive tre, Birmingham, Thurs 11 Apr Country Living Museum, Dudley her cage of balls to a high-energy family show where a picture book THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER (15) COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM BREAK- ’80s soundtrack, Thurs 11 Apr, Old and a series of games are used to Drama/Mystery. Starring Maggie Gyl- FAST CLUB An opportunity for vehicle Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham create a unique storyline for each lenhaal, Gael García Bernal. Midlands owners to share stories and exper- BIRMINGHAM'S NIGHT OF STARS John performance, Sat 13 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 12 - tise, as well as to see a range of on- Lodge of the Moody Blues and Carl Arts Centre, Birmingham Tues 16 Apr display vehicles, Sat 13 Apr, Coventry Palmer of Emerson, Lake and Palmer THE HALF GOD OF RAINFALL Inua El- THE WHITE CROW (12a) Transport Museum will front an evening of music and lams' contemporary saga weaves po- Biography/Drama. Starring Oleg EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVI- laughter with fellow musical artistes, etry with storytelling in ‘a majestic, Ivenko, Ralph Fiennes. Midlands Arts TIES - SATURDAY ENGINEERS Can fami- friends and colleagues in aid of The chaotic journey across mythologies Centre, Birmingham, Fri 12 - Thurs 18 lies create a chain of reactions to get Birmingham Children's Hospital, that transports audiences from a tiny Apr an ‘egg’ from one point to another? Thurs 11 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham village in Southern Nigeria to the fur- THE WIZARD OF OZ (U) Musical/Fan- Sat 13 Apr, Coventry Transport Mu- OUR TOWN Newman University Drama ther reaches of our galaxy and be- tasy. Starring Judy Garland, Ray Bol- seum yond’, Sat 13 - Sat 20 Apr, The REP, Department present Thornton ger. Midlands Arts Centre, RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK Birmingham Wilder’s play, which questions ‘how Birmingham, Sun 14 Apr Find out about the top-secret airbase much we really appreciate what we which was home to airborne radar have while we still have it’, Thurs 11 - NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: testing and development during the Fri 12 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Second World War and early years of Birmingham Released from Mon 8 Apr, showing at the Cold War, Sat 13 Apr, Croome FORGET ME NOT: THE ALZHEIMER'S selected cinemas Park, Worcester WHODUNNIT Comic, poet and psychi- WONDER PARK (PG) THE BIG ONE FISHING SHOW The atric nurse Rob Gee presents a mur- HELLBOY (tbc) world’s biggest and best tackle man- der-mystery set on an Alzheimer’s ufacturers present their new gear for LITTLE (tbc) ward, Fri 12 - Sat 13 Apr, Old Joint 2019, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Apr, Stoneleigh Stock Theatre, Birmingham WILD ROSE (15) Park, Kenilworth 58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 8 - 14 April.qxp_Layout 1 26/03/2019 10:10 Page 4

Monday 8 - Sunday 14 April

KIDTROPOLIS Packed with live shows, EASTER EGG HUNT Help Ruby the Cas- EASTER HOLIDAY FUN Enjoy a whole 500 stalls packed with all kinds of col- children’s characters, popular brands tle Dragon find her eggs, Sat 13 - Sun host of activities across Shake- lectable toys, trains and models for and numerous activities, Sat 13 - Mon 28 Apr, Tamworth Castle speare's family homes, Sat 13 - Sun sale, Sun 14 Apr, NEC, Birmingham 15 Apr, NEC, Birmingham EGG-CITING EASTER CELEBRATIONS Find 28 Apr, Shakespeare's Birthplace, POHELA BOISHAKH Join members of EASTER EGG HUNT Find all the eggs in out about the weird and wonderful Stratford-Upon-Avon Birmingham’s Bangladeshi commu- the garden to complete the hunt, Sat practices of the past, from egg danc- EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Join the nity in a colourful celebration of Po- 13 - Mon 22 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birm- ing to hot cross buns, Sat 13 - Sun 28 hunt for dragon eggs, Sat 13 - Sun 28 hela Boishakh, the Bangla New Year, ingham Apr, Black Country Living Museum, Apr, Kenilworth Castle Sun 14 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Dudley EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Crack the MYTHICAL BEASTS & FANTASTIC CREA- BUNNY BOATS Hop on a boat and clues as you and your family follow TURES Event ‘taking inspiration from head into the caverns, the home at the trail around the site, Sat 13 - Sun the mythical beasts and fantastic Easter of the Easter Bunny’s warren. 28 Apr, Witley Court, Great Witley, creatures depicted around the grand Keep an eye out for evidence of the Worcestershire old mansion’, Sun 14 Apr, Aston Hall, big bunny himself, and spot the giant TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Explore over Birmingham coloured eggs he’s been keeping safe, Sat 13 - Sun 28 Apr, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust EASTER EGG QUEST Find all the hidden eggs to get a chocolatey prize, Sat 13 - Sun 28 Apr, Hawkstone Park & EASTER HOLIDAYS Superheroes are Follies, Shrewsbury heading to the Severn Valley Railway ANIMAL EASTER TRAIL Help the Easter to save the day during the Easter hol- Bunny find all his animal friends, Sat idays, Sat 13 - Fri 26 Apr, Severn Val- 13 - Sun 28 Apr, RAF Cosford, Shifnal ley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Take along your little eggsplorers and help the EASTER DINO EGG HUNT The Easter onsite Easter Bunny follow the trail of Bunny doesn't visit Thinktank, but the gigantic Easter eggs around the park Easter dinosaurs do, and they’ve left and earn a chocolatey treat, Sat 13 - large dino eggs hidden around the Sun 28 Apr, West Midland Safari and museum, Sat 13 - Sun 28 Apr, Think- Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Kiddermin- tank Science Museum, Birmingham ster Pohela Boishakh - Birmingham Town Hall

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thelist STORIES Wed 17 Apr, 18 Apr, Hare & Gigs Symphony Hall, Birm- Hounds, Birmingham Classical Theatre ingham CHRIS DIFFORD Thurs FAME THE MUSICAL Jorgie Porter, THE DRIFTERS Mon 15 SAINT VITUS Wed 17 18 Apr, Artrix, Broms- Keith Jack & Mica Paris star in the Apr, The Grand The- Apr, Mama Roux’s, grove Music 30th anniversary production of the atre, Wolverhampton Birmingham COLLABRO Mon 15 Apr, Symphony BELIEVE: THE CHER hit show, Mon 15 - Sat 20 Apr, Re- Hall, Birmingham INDOOR PETS + GENDER THE SHEE Wed 17 Apr, SONGBOOK Fri 19 Apr, gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent ROLES Mon 15 Apr, The Red Lion Folk Lichfield Garrick AN EVENING WITH ERIC AND ERN The Flapper, B’ham Club, Birmingham THE WEST COAST EA- Homage to British comedy’s best- NINA NESBITT Tues 16 LOWKEY Wed 17 Apr, GLES Fri 19 Apr, Lich- loved double act, Wed 17 Apr, The Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- The Glee Club, B’ham field Guildhall Old Rep, Birmingham ingham ONLY SUN Wed 17 Apr, TOM LUMLEY & THE ART GARFUNKEL: AN EVENING OF SONG CAROL BREWSTER Tues The Sunflower BRAVE LIAISONO Fri 19 AND STORIES Featuring Simon & Gar- 16 Apr, The Jam Lounge, Birmingham Apr, The Sunflower funkel classics and solo hits, plus ex- House, Birmingham RUMOURS OF FLEET- Lounge, Birmingham tracts from Art’s new autobiography, LONA + THE COLLIER WOOD MAC Wed 17 - MONSTER TRUCK Fri 19 Wed 17 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birm- Tues 16 Apr, The Flap- Thurs 18 Apr, Birming- Apr, O2 Academy, ingham per, Birmingham ham Town Hall Birmingham TRUMP THE MUSICAL Join Blowfish SILENT RIVAL Tues 16 GEKO Thurs 18 Apr, O2 MIDGE URE Fri 19 Apr, LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Theatre for an evening of ‘raucous Apr, Hare & Hounds, Institute, Birmingham Stafford Gatehouse DAVID HARDIE Mon 15 Apr, Birming- comedy, original music and one truly Birmingham ham Cathedral awful wig’, Wed 17 - Mon 22 Apr, Old MERCURY Thurs 18 Theatre Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham MIKE TRAMP & HIS Apr, The Alexandra THE URBAN FOLK QUAR- COLLABRO Tues 16 Apr, Wolverhamp- BAND Tues 16 Apr, The Theatre, Birmingham TET Fri 19 Apr, Artrix, ton Grand Theatre THE LONG WALK BACK The epic story Robin, Bilston of cricketer Chris Lewis' catastrophic JOE JACKSON Thurs 18 Bromsgrove CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHES- fall from grace, Thurs 18 Apr, The FETTY WAP Tues 16 Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- PUPPY/GREEN LUNG Fri TRA: BACK TO THE FUTURE Tues 18 Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Apr, O2 Academy, ingham 19 Apr, The Flapper, Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham WIFI WARS World-record-breaking JOYCE MANOR Thurs 18 Birmingham PIXAR IN CONCERT A brand-new ver- live comedy gameshow with which ONE ACEN Tues 16 Apr, Apr, Mama Roux’s, SHOWHAWK DUO Fri 19 sion of Pixar In Concert will come to the entire audience play along, O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Apr, The Mill Digbeth, three cities in the UK celebrating the most memorable moments from Thurs 18 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, SET IT OFF Wed 17 Apr, Birmingham THE COLLECTIVE Thurs Pixar films, with a full orchestra per- Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham 18 Apr, The Jam THE TIN TINS REUNION forming the stunning score’s, Thurs TINA T'URNER TEA LADY'S STEAMY House, Birmingham Fri 19 Apr, Hare & STEFFLON DON Wed 17 18 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BINGO An evening celebrating bingo, Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- GLASS CEILINGS Hounds, Birmingham Thurs THE TETRA TRIO Programme includes music, tea and laughter, as Tina ingham 18 Apr, The Sunflower LIVE IN THE LIVING works by J.S Bach, Dohnanyi & spins her cage of balls to a high-en- Lounge, Birmingham ROOM'S LITTLE PIZZAEX- GET THE BLESSING Wed Beethoven, Thurs 18 Apr, St Mary’s, ergy ’80s soundtrack, Thurs 18 Apr, PRESS TOUR Fri 19 Apr, 17 Apr, Hare & EDEN'S CURSE Thurs 18 Lichfield Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Pizza Express Live, Hounds, Birmingham Apr, The Robin, Bilston JEKYLL & HYDE Birmingham GOOD FRIDAY ST MATTHEW PASSION Evan Placey's reimag- VANT WED 17 Apr, Hare FROG LEAP Thurs 18 Featuring Ex Cathedra Choir and ining of Robert Louis Stevenson's MANOWAR Fri 19 - Sat & Hounds, B’ham Apr, The Asylum, Birm- Baroque Orchestra and Jeffrey Skid- classic horror, Thurs 18 - Sat 27 Apr, 20 Apr, O2 Academy, BIG WOLF BAND Wed 17 ingham more (Conductor). Programme in- The REP, Birmingham Birmingham Apr, The Jam House, VICTORIES AT SEA Thurs cludes Bach, Fri 19 Apr, Symphony REVEALED: A MENOLOGUES PRODUC- Birmingham 18 Apr, Hare & SOLID SOUL Fri 19 - Sat Hall, Birmingham TION New play from The Red Earth 20 Apr, The Jam ART GARFUNKEL: AN Hounds, Birmingham Collective and Rites of Passage Pro- House, Birmingham ductions, written by Daniel Anderson EVENING OF SONG AND YOUNG MARCO Thurs and directed by Jay Crutchley, Fri 19 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Comedy CONGREGATION Bewdley Town Criers present Freddy Just's new play TOADALLY FREE COMEDY Mon 15 Apr, about bigotry and exploitation in a The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham contemporary church setting, Fri 19 DEMETRI MARTIN Wed 17 Apr, The Apr, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birm- Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham ingham SUSIE MCCABE, TOM WARD & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 18 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham STUART GOLDSMITH Fri 19 Apr, Artrix, Cabaret Bromsgrove WILDVIXEN’S LEGENDS CHALLENGE EX- SUSIE MCCABE, TOM WARD, BEN NOR- TRAVAGANZA! Celebration of the RIS & RICH WILSON Fri 19 - Sat 20 world of burlesque & cabaret, Sat 20 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Apr, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham HAYLEY ELLIS, KEITH FARNAN, JENNY COLLIER & TUDUR OWEN Sat 20 Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham BOX OF FROGS Sun 21 Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Kids Shows TOMMY SANDHU, ESHAN AKBAR, HYDE THE BOY AND THE MERMAID Join three PANASER & WILL E ROBO Sun 21 Apr, shanty-singing fishermen as they The Glee Club, Birmingham weave a fishy tale of musical mer- Nina Nesbitt - O2 Institute, Birmingham folk, menacing monsters and spec- 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 15 - 21 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:48 Page 2

Monday 15 - Sunday 21 April

tacularly bad town planning, Mon 15 tion/Fantasy. English, dubbed. Mid- Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Mon TOM THUMB Lyngo Theatre brings this 15 - Thurs 18 Apr Brothers Grimm tale to life with feath- THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING (PG) Ad- ery spinning birds, a flying house and venture/Family. Midlands Arts Centre, a portable forest, Thurs 18 Apr, Birmingham, Mon 15 - Thurs 18 Apr Stafford Gatehouse Theatre PONYO (U) Animation/Comedy. En- DIZZY O’DARE’S GIANT BALLOON SHOW glish, dubbed. Midlands Arts Centre, Featuring ‘balloon sculptures, high- Birmingham, Tues 16 Apr energy comic performance and, of KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (U) Anima- course, the all-important giant snow- tion/Drama. English, dubbed. Mid- ball balloon!’, Fri 19 Apr, Artrix, lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed Bromsgrove 17 Apr BEN AND HOLLY'S LITTLE KINGDOM YULI - THE CARLOS ACOSTA STORY (tbc) ‘Magical musical adventure packed Biography/Drama. Starring Carlos full of songs, games & laughter’, Fri Acosta, Santiago Alfonso. The Mock- 19 - Sat 20 Apr, Wolverhampton ingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Wed 17 Grand Theatre Apr ALIENS LOVE UNDERPANTS Expect OLIVER! (U) Family/Musical. Starring madcap action, original music and Mark Lester, Ron Moody. Lichfield plenty of laughs, Fri 19 - Sat 20 Apr, Garrick, Wed 17 Apr The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham LIFE OF BRIAN (15) Comedy. Starring Trump The Musical ZOG Based on Julia Donaldson & Axel Graham Chapman, John Cleese. The Schefler’s larger-than-life creation, Fri Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 17 - Mon 22 April 19 - Mon 22 Apr, Birmingham Town Thurs 18 Apr Hall Like him or loathe him, there’s no denying Donald Trump is big BORDER (15) Drama/Fantasy. Starring ANIMALCOLM THE MUSICAL David Bad- box office, a fact which explains Blowfish Theatre’s very sensible Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff. Foreign decision to construct a whole show around him. diel's new musical comedy for language, subtitled. Midlands Arts younger audiences, fusing physical Centre, Birmingham, Fri 19 Apr Making a welcome return to the Old Joint Stock, the highly re- theatre, puppetry & storytelling, Sat A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (18) Drama/Sci- garded ensemble present what they describe as an evening of rau- 20 - Sun 21 Apr, Midlands Arts Cen- cous comedy, original music and one truly awful wig: “Our show tre, Birmingham Fi. Starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee. Electric Cinema, proves that just because the world’s being run by a power-crazed Birmingham, from Fri 19 & Sun 21 narcissist who will bomb us all to hell, it doesn’t mean we can’t Apr enjoy it while it lasts!” FOXTROT (15) Drama. Starring Lior Blowfish have form when it comes to producing musicals about Ashkenazi, Sarah Adler. Foreign lan- eccentric characters with crazy hair - their previous show was an Dance guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Cen- BURN THE FLOOR Combining ‘jaw- tre, Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sun 21 & all-singing all-dancing ‘homage’ to wannabe Tory prime minister dropping choreography & ground Tues 23 Apr Boris Johnson. breaking moves’. Strictly winner HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HID- Kevin Clifton stars, Sun 21 Apr, The DEN WORLD (PG) Family/Fantasy. With THE PASSENGER (15) Drama. Starring Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham the voices of Gerard Butler, Cate Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider. Blanchett. Midlands Arts Centre, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Events Birmingham, Fri 19, Mon 22 - Thurs Sat 20 Apr MINI MOTORISTS Activity morning for 25 Apr PURPLE RAIN (15) under-fives, allowing them to dis- THE LEGO MOVIE 2: THE SECOND PART Drama/Music. Star- ring Prince, Apollonia Kotero. The cover, through play, the world's Film (PG) Animation/Adventure. With the Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, largest collection of historic British INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: voices of Chris Pratt, Alison Brie. Mid- Sat 20 Apr cars, Mon 15 Apr, British Motor Mu- lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 19 MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (U) seum, Gaydon, Warwickshire Anima- - Thurs 25 Apr GIRL (15) Drama. Starring Victor Pol- ster, Arieh Worthalter. Foreign lan- guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 20 Apr HARRY POTTER MARATHON (12) Adven- ture/Family. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint. All eight films! The Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 20 Apr DREAMS (PG) Drama/Fantasy. Starring Akira Terao, Mitsuko Baisho. Foreign language, subtitled. Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sun 21 Apr FLORAL TILE DECORATING Create your own floral-themed designs at these family drop-in tile workshops, Mon 15 NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: - Fri 19 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire Released from Fri 19 Apr, showing at EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVI- selected cinemas TIES - EASTER MACHINES Make some GRETA (15) eggstremely marvellous machines, HEAD FULL OF HONEY (tbc) Mon 15 - Fri 19 Apr, Coventry Trans- port Museum LORO (18) NIMROD TOURS Step on board the Animalcom The Musical - Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham RED JOAN (12a) whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Birmingham 15 - 21 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:48 Page 3

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thelist Monday 15 - Sunday 21 April Nimrod XV249 and learn about its in- YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS' AND CURA- telligence-gathering role in the Royal TORS' CLUB Find out how the cast iron Air Force, Mon 15 - Sun 28 Apr, RAF houses will be dismantled and re- Cosford, Shifnal built in a different location on the mu- seum site, Wed 17 Apr, Black Country Living Museum, Dudley THE COALBROOKDALE ARCHIVES LEC- TURE 2019 A talk by the Ironbridge In- ternational Institute for Cultural Heritage’s Dr Roger White about the excavations of a Saxon wooden palace, Wed 17 Apr, Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron, Ironbridge, Shrop- shire EASTER BUNNY GROTTO Walk through the enchanted wood and hunt for RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK golden eggs to exchange for choco- Find out about the top-secret airbase latey treats in the Easter Bunny’s bur- which was home to airborne radar row, Wed 17 - Fri 19 Apr, The British testing and development during the Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, North Second World War and early years of Shropshire the Cold War, Tues 16 Apr, Croome Park, Worcester EASTER CROWN CRAFT ACTIVITY AT BLAKESLEY HALL Make your own POTTING SHED SUNFLOWERS CRAFT AC- unique Easter crown covered with TIVITY Decorate and make your own animals, Thurs 18 Apr, Blakesley Hall, plant pot, fill it with some Blakesley Birmingham garden soil and plant a seed in it, Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts EASTER EGG DECORATION - FAMILY Tues 16 Apr, Blakesley Hall, B’ham Packwood House, Solihull, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Birmingham Back WORKSHOP Traditional Easter crafts, ZOO CLUB Featuring activities suitable to Backs, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton; including egg-decoration, Thurs 18 Fri 19 - Mon 22 April; Coughton Court, Alcester, Fri 19 - Mon 22 April for children aged between eight and Apr, Black Country Living Museum, 14, all themed around animals, Dudley Who better to organise an Easter egg hunt (or several) than those wildlife, nature and zoos, Tues 16 - lovely people at Cadbury? The chocolate-making Birmingham Thurs 18 Apr, Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth company are this Easter coordinating more than 250 hunts at Na- PUPPET & MAGIC SHOW Treasure Trove tional Trust properties across the UK. Puppet Company present traditional And there’s plenty more for families to enjoy on their fun-filled Easter tales using hand-carved pup- day out, with many of the venues offering ‘games and craft activi- pets, Tues 16 - Wed 24 Apr, The ties galore’. British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, What’s more, all participants will be rewarded with a sure-to-be- North Shropshire delicious Cadbury treat at the end of each completed hunt. LITTLE SKIPPERS - EASTER FUN Featur- ing activities and a boat trip, Tues 16 - Thurs 18 Apr, Dudley Canal and Easter weekend including drag rac- bledy Bob, Sun 21 Apr, Birmingham Tunnel Trust NATURE EXPLORERS Explore the great ing, monster trucks, stunt displays Botanical Gardens outdoors and learn about the natural PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Enjoy and more, Fri 19 - Sun 21 Apr, Santa ASTON IN WONDERLAND: CELEBRATING world, Fri 19 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall fantastic panoramic views of Worces- Pod Raceway, Wellingborough NATIONAL TEA DAY Meet lots of your Green, Birmingham ter from the top of the tower, Wed 17 INSOMNIA64 Weekend of non-stop favourite storybook characters, in- Apr, Croome Park, Worcester FESTIVAL OF POWER Action-packed gaming including a cosplay masquer- cluding Alice, the Mad Hatter and the ade, Fri 19 - Mon 22 Apr, NEC, Birm- angry Queen, Sun 21 Apr, Aston Hall, ingham Birmingham EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Featuring an exclusive stage show starring Mr Cadbury's Parrot, Fri 19 - Mon 22 Apr, Cadbury World, Birmingham THE GREAT EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANA! Find the Birds of Arley’s eggs, Fri 19 - Sun 28 Apr, Arley Arboretum, Upper Arley, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally grown plants for every type of gar- den, Sat 20 Apr, Bodenham Arbore- tum, Kidderminster ST. GEORGE’S DAY Medieval experi- ence to celebrate the patron saint of PLANT HUNTERS’ FAIR Traditionally England, Sat 20 Apr, Tamworth Castle grown plants for every type of gar- EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVI- den, Sun 21 - Mon 22 Apr, The TIES - SATURDAY ENGINEERS Make Dorothy Clive Garden, Willough- some eggstremely marvellous ma- bridge chines, Sat 20 Apr, Coventry Trans- EASTER MOTOR SHOW Featuring a dis- port Museum play of vintage, classic and modern EASTER EGG HUNT Meet the Easter classic vehicles, Sun 21 - Mon 22 Insomnia64 - NEC, Birmingham Bunny and award-winning clown Bib- Apr, Weston Park, Staffordshire whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Birmingham 22 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:49 Page 1

thelist WAKENING THE HOLLOW Sat 27 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham EP RELEASE Fri 26 Apr, Classical TROY HAWKE, MANDY KNIGHT, SEAN Scruffy Murphy’s, PERCIVAL & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 27 Birmingham Music Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 27 ALUMNI CHOIR Sun 22 Apr, Lichfield Fri 26 - Sat 27 Apr, The Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Jam House, B’ham Cathedral RICHARD ASHCROFT Sat A CELEBRATION OF BRITISH FOLK 27 Apr, O2 Academy, SONGS WITH TRINITY BOYS CHOIR Wed Birmingham 24 Apr, Lichfield Cathedral NICK PRIDE & THE PIMP- CBSO: MAHLER'S NINTH Featuring Ilan Theatre TONES Sat 27 Apr, The Volkov (conductor) and CBSO. Pro- Night Owl, B’ham gramme includes Klein & Mahler, ROTTERDAM Jon Brittain's bittersweet Thurs 25 Apr, Symphony Hall, B’ham comedy about gender, sexuality and UNDER THE APPLE TREE- being a long way from home, Mon LIVE ON TOUR WITH BRUCKNER’S STRING QUINTET Featur- 22 - Wed 24 Apr, Wolverhampton WILDWOOD KIN Sat 27 ing Philip Brett & Charlotte Skinner Grand Theatre Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- (vocals); Christopher Yates & Cather- ine Bower (violas) & Eduardo Vas- WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER ‘The almost Rufus Wainwright - Symphony Hall, Birmingham ingham sallo (cello). Programme comprises entirely imagined Bon Jovi musical’, JAWS Sat 27 Apr, O2 Tues 23 - Sat 27 Apr, The REP, Birm- TOM PAXTON & THE Bruckner’s String Quintet in F, Thurs Institute, Birmingham ingham DONJUANS Thurs 25 25 Apr, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Gigs FRANKIE'S GUYS Sat 27 Apr, Birmingham Town CBSO: BEST OF BOND Featuring JOCK NIGHT Adam Zane’s new play Apr, Artrix, Broms- RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Hall Stephen Bell (conductor) and Lance follows five men as they search for grove love and friendship in a world of sex Mon 22 Apr, Sym- THE CHICAGO BLUES Ellington & Anna-Jane Casey (vocal- MIKE FLETCHER JAZZ and drugs. An honest look at the phony Hall, B’ham BROTHERS Fri 26 Apr, ists), Fri 26 Apr, Symphony Hall, ORCHESTRA Sat 27 Apr, popularity of chemsex, online dating Lichfield Garrick Birmingham DAVE Mon 22 Apr, O2 Midlands Arts Centre, apps and HIV stigma, Wed 24 - Sat THE MIDLAND CHAMBER PLAYERS Academy, Birmingham THE GEORGE MICHAEL Birmingham Pro- 27 Apr, Old Joint Stock Theatre, STORY Fri 26 Apr, Cres- gramme includes works by Mozart & CIRCA WAVES Tues 23 DEAN FRIEDMAN Sat 27 Birmingham Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- cent Theatre, B’ham Mendelssohn, Fri 26 Apr, Birming- Apr, Pizza Express ham Midland Institute ingham THE SPECIALS Fri 26 Live, Birmingham Apr, O2 Academy, COLLEGIUM VOCALE MÜNCHEN Pro- INDIE, IDOL & INFAMOUS C DUNCAN Sat 27 Apr, – JAPANESE IDOL TRIPLE Birmingham gramme of cappella choral music, The Castle & Falcon, Fri 26 Apr, St Chad’s Cathedral, BILL Tues 23 Apr, The NEWTON FAULKNER Fri Birmingham Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, 26 Apr, O2 Institute, KADIALY KOUYATE BAND Birmingham Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT Pro- Sat 27 Apr, Midlands gramme includes works by W. H. TOM SPEIGHT Tues 23 THE BLINDERS Fri 26 Arts Centre, B’ham Harris, J. Stanley, O. Messiaen, R. Apr, The Cuban Em- Apr, O2 Institute, Birm- KATHERINE JENKINS Sat Binge and M. Durufle, Mon 29 Apr, bassy, Birmingham ingham 27 Apr, Symphony Birmingham Town Hall CARA DILLON Wed 24 THE SOUND OF SPRING- Hall, Birmingham NICHOLAS MCCARTHY IN RECITAL Fea- Apr, Symphony Hall, STEEN Fri 26 Apr, Artrix, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE turing Nicholas McCarthy (piano). Birmingham Bromsgrove Sun 28 Apr, Wolver- Programme includes Bach, Scriabi MORGAN & WEST: PARLOUR TRICKS CISSY STONE AND HER ANDY ABRAHAM'S NAT hampton Grand The- and Rachmaninoff, Tues 30 Apr, Join time-travelling magic duo Mor- BAND Wed 24 Apr, The KING COLE SONGBOOK atre Birmingham Town Hall gan & West for an evening ‘chock Jam House, B’ham Fri 26 Apr, The Core full of jaw-dropping, brain-bursting, MARTHA Sun 28 Apr, POP DIVAS LIVE Wed 24 Theatre, Solihull gasp-eliciting feats of magic’, Thurs Hare & Hounds, Birm- 25 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove Apr, The Core Theatre, ELIZABETH FIELDS Fri ingham Solihull 26 Apr, Pizza Express LE GATEAU CHOCOLAT: ICONS Walking GREATEST HITS OF MO- Live, Birmingham the tightrope between his public and DARYL HALL & JOHN TOWN Sun 28 Apr, The OATES Wed 24 Apr, Re- PEARL JAMM Fri 26 Apr, private personas, Le Gateau Choco- Alexandra Theatre, lat explores ‘the people, the mo- sorts World Arena, The Asylum, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham ments, the relationships and the art JOEL BAKER Fri 26 Apr, MAISIE PETERS Sun 28 that have come to shape us and the YUNG FUME Wed 24 The Sunflower Apr, The Sunflower ideals to which we aspire’, Fri 26 Apr, Apr, O2 Academy, Lounge, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Birmingham T8PES Fri 26 Apr, The M HUNCHO Sun 28 Apr, PAINTING CLOUDS Theatre that chal- LITTLE THIEF + Castle & Falcon, Birm- O2 Institute, B’ham lenges perceptions of different cul- KROOKED TONGUE Wed ingham tures and questions how fear brings 24 Apr, The Sunflower IDLEWILD Sun 28 Apr, FRAUDS/RAT THE MAG- out the worst in people, Fri 26 - Sun Lounge, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham NIFICENT/FID/WMN Fri 28 Apr, The Crescent Theatre, Birm- PAPA ROACH Mon 29 ELKIE BROOKS IN CON- 26 Apr, The Flapper, Comedy ingham CERT Apr, O2 Academy, Thurs 25 Apr, B’ham GEOFF NORCOTT, DAVE FULTON & COM- PRISON GAME One-man physical the- Wolverhampton Grand Birmingham MICHAEL ENGLISH WITH EDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON atre performance that shows how Theatre DEVIN TOWNSEND Tues SPECIAL GUEST BREN- Thurs 25 Apr, The Glee Club, Birm- prison can define a man, Sat 27 Apr, 30 Apr, The Glee Club, TOKEN Thurs 25 Apr, DAN SHINE Fri 26 Apr, ingham The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall MORGAN AND WEST’S PARLOUR TRICKS SHEILA'S MHS 6 'CONTROL' Sheila KID INK Tues 30 Apr, SIMONE FELICE Thurs JUDGE JULES Fri 26 Thurs 25 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove McMahon combines humour and O2 Institute, B’ham 25 Apr, Hare & Apr, The Mill, Digbeth, JETHRO Fri 26 Apr, Wolverhampton the subject of mental health to show Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham JOSEFIN ÖHRN Tues 30 Grand Theatre her audience why life is too serious Apr, Hare & Hounds, to be taken seriously... Sat 27 Apr, DEL CAMINO Thurs 25 DANNI NICHOLLS Fri 26 GEOFF NORCOTT & SUZI RUFFELL, DA- Birmingham Lichfield Garrick Apr, The Jam House, Apr, Midlands Arts NIAN CLARK & DAVE FULTON Fri 26 - Birmingham Centre, Birmingham MONOLOGUESLAM MASTERCLASS 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 22 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 22/03/2019 10:49 Page 2

Monday 22 - Tuesday 30 April

Workshop for anyone considering au- DEAR ZOO LIVE! Puppetry and audi- ditioning for MonologueSlam UK, Sat ence participation in a show based 27 Apr, The REP, Birmingham on Rod Campbell’s children’s book, DES O'CONNOR & JIMMY TARBUCK Two Sun 28 - Mon 29 Apr, Artrix, Broms- iconic performers on one stage, Sat grove 27 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand The- atre HOW SWEET IT IS - THE GREATEST HITS OF MOTOWN Sun 28 Apr, The Alexan- dra Theatre, Birmingham Cabaret HAIR Fiftieth anniversary production TRES TRES CABARET Evening of of the legendary rock musical, star- cheeky decadence, Sat 27 Apr, ring Jake Quickenden, Daisy Wood- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Davis & Marcus Collins, Mon 29 Apr - Sat 4 May, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Dance St George And The Dragon Egg Hunt - Sarehole Mill, Birmingham SWAN LAKE Presented by Ballet The- atre UK, Thurs 25 Apr, The Crescent guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Cen- EASTER HALF TERM Featuring an Theatre, Birmingham tre, Birmingham, Tues 23 - Wed 24 Easter bonnet parade, arts & crafts, a Apr bouncy castle and award-winning BALLET CENTRAL Sat 27 Apr, The Cres- clown Bibbledy Bob, Mon 22 - Fri 26 cent Theatre, Birmingham BORDER (15) Drama/Fantasy. Starring Eva Melander, Eero Milonoff. Foreign Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens SHAKE THAT THING: THE GREAT BRITISH language, subtitled. Midlands Arts FLORAL TILE DECORATING Create your SWING DANCE SHOW Dance show fea- Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 25 Apr own floral-themed designs at these turing music, song and dance from drop-in family workshops, Mon 22 - the Roaring ’20s and Fabulous ’30s, ON THE BASIS OF SEX (12a) Biogra- Fri 26 Apr, Jackfield Tile Museum, including the charleston, the lindy- phy/Drama. Starring Felicity Jones, Ironbridge hop, the black bottom and more, Sun Armie Hammer. Midlands Arts Centre, 28 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Birmingham, Fri 26 Apr EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVI- TIES - EASTER MACHINES Make some SWAN LAKE Presented by Ballet The- AVENGERS: ENDGAME (12a) Adven- eggstremely marvellous machines, Kids Shows atre UK, Sun 28 Apr, Warwick Arts ture/Fantasy. Starring Bradley Cooper, Brie Larson. Electric Cinema, Mon 22 - Fri 26 Apr, Coventry Trans- THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWAL- Centre, Coventry Birmingham, from Fri 26 Apr port Museum LOWED A FLY People’s Theatre Com- BURN THE FLOOR Combining ‘jaw- CREATURE KITES CRAFT ACTIVITY AT pany host an afternoon of family dropping choreography & ground AT ETERNITY'S GATE (12a) BLAKESLEY HALL Craft your own fairy entertainment based on the classic breaking moves’. Strictly winner Biography/Drama. Starring Willem and dragon kite, Tues 23 Apr, nursery rhyme, Tues 23 Apr, The Kevin Clifton stars, Mon 29 Apr, Re- Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen. Midlands Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Core, Solihull gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 26 - Sat 27 Apr LITTLE SKIPPERS - EASTER FUN Featur- GRANDAD'S ISLAND Heartwarming the- ing activities and a boat trip, Tues 23 atrical adventure based on Benji HAPPY AS LAZZARO (15) Drama. Star- - Thurs 25 Apr, Dudley Canal and Davies' award-winning book. Suitable ring Adriano Tardiolo, Agnese Tunnel Trust for children aged four-plus, Wed 24 - Grazian. Foreign language, subtitled. Sat 27 Apr, Belgrade Theatre, Coven- Talks Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, PETER RABBIT STORY TIME The Birm- try Fri 26 - Mon 29 Apr ingham Botanical Gardens has a very ANT MIDDLETON: MIND OVER MUSCLE LAST BREATH (15) Documentary. Mid- special visitor this Easter... Wed 24 ELMER THE PATCHWORK ELEPHANT Television presenter, adventurer and lands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat Apr, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Colourful show for younger audi- former soldier Ant takes his audience 27 & Mon 29 Apr YOUNG ARCHAEOLOGISTS' AND CURA- ences celebrating individuality and on a motivational journey of self-help TORS' CLUB Find out how the cast iron the power of laughter, Thurs 25 Apr, and self-discovery, Tues 23 Apr, Sym- 3 FACES (12a) Drama. Starring Behnaz houses will be dismantled and re- Lichfield Garrick phony Hall, Birmingham Jafari, Jafar Panahi. Foreign lan- guage, subtitled. Midlands Arts Cen- built in a different location on the mu- MORGAN & WEST’S UTTERLY SPIFFING AN AUDIENCE WITH JOANNA TROLLOPE tre, Birmingham, Sun 28 & Tues 30 seum site, Wed 24 Apr, Black Country SPECTACULAR MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS The award-winning author discusses Apr Living Museum, Dudley (AND CHILDISH GROWN-UPS) Family her long career and most recent EASTER BUNNY GROTTO Walk through show fusing brain-boggling illusion book, An Unsuitable Match, Thurs 25 the enchanted wood and hunt for and good old-fashioned tomfoolery, Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Thurs 25 Apr, Artrix, Bromsgrove golden eggs to exchange for choco- AN EVENING WITH CHRIS EUBANK Fri 26 Released from Fri 26 Apr, showing at latey treats in the Easter Bunny’s bur- Apr, Rialto Reborn, Coventry selected cinemas row, Wed 24 - Fri 26 Apr, The British AVENGERS: ENDGAME (tbc) Ironwork Centre, Oswestry BEL CANTO (tbc) PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS 2019 The world number one and the current EIGHTH GRADE (15) world champion do battle on the Film THE WORLD IS YOURS (15) oche, Thurs 25 Apr, Arena B’ham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: TUNNEL TEDS Bear-themed fun on and THE FIGHT (15) Drama/Sport. Starring around the canal, Fri 26 Apr, Dudley Jessica Hynes, Alice Lowe. Showing Canal and Tunnel Trust on Wed is followed by Q&A with MADE IN THE MIDLANDS - GIN EVENING writer and director Jessica Hynes. Events WITH THE GINTLEMAN The Midlands’ Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, leading Gin Raconteur provides ‘edu- MINISTRY OF SCIENCE Science show ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON EGG HUNT Mon 22 & Wed 24 Apr cational and fun’ themed tasting, Fri that comes complete ‘with a bang, a Help St George track down the 26 Apr, Black Country Living Mu- whoosh and a hovercraft-built on GIRL (15) Drama. Starring Victor Pol- dragon's eggs, Mon 22 Apr, Sarehole seum, Dudley stage!’, Sat 27 Apr, Lichfield Garrick ster, Arieh Worthalter. Foreign lan- Mill, Hall Green, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 22 - Tuesday 30 April NATURE EXPLORERS Explore the great chines, Sat 27 Apr, Coventry Trans- outdoors and learn about the natural port Museum world, Fri 26 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall EDWARDIAN COOKING EXPERIENCE A Green, Birmingham day of traditional cookery by the MEDIEVAL BANQUET Immersive warmth of the range, Sat 27 Apr, evening of medieval entertainment, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- Sat 27 Apr, Warwick Castle ley SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY: KNIGHTS & NYMPHS GARDEN PARTY Dress up as a knight or nymph, get your face painted and enjoy family-friendly gar- den games, Sat 27 Apr, Hall's Croft, Stratford-upon-Avon SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRA- TIONS A day of live performances, crafts and cake, Sat 27 Apr, Stratford Town Centre

ZOO CLUB Featuring activities suitable KAPOW! Become a super hero for the The Vauxhall Show - Santa Pod Raceway, Northampton for children aged between eight and day and take on ten giant inflatable 14, all themed around animals, obstacles around a 5km course, Sat BLAKESLEY HALL PLAY DAY Build your Birmingham wildlife, nature and zoos, Sat 27 Apr, 27 Apr, West Midland Showground, own den and have fun with THE VAUXHALL SHOW Featuring Vaux- Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tam- Shrewsbury parachutes, Sun 28 Apr, Blakesley hall-only RWYB, club displays, show worth THE KWIK FIT BRITISH TOURING CAR Hall, Birmingham & shine, jet car, FWD drag series and MONOLOGUESLAM MASTERCLASS Work- CHAMPIONSHIP Triple-header of races, ST GEORGE’S DAY Featuring medieval more, Sun 28 Apr, Santa Pod Race- shop open to all those who are audi- Sat 27 - Sun 28 Apr, Donington Park reenactment, children’s entertainers, way, Wellingborough tioning or considering auditioning for Racing Circuit, Derby face painting, crafts and a walkabout POETS AND STORY TELLERS ASSEMBLE MonologueSlam UK, Sat 27 Apr, The PJ MASKS VISIT Ride on a heritage with Smoked! the Dragon, Sun 28 Evening of poetry, storytelling and REP, Birmingham train into the countryside and see PJ Apr, Dudley Zoological Gardens spoken word presented by local per- EASTER HOLIDAY FAMILY CRAFT ACTIVI- Masks' Catboy & Luna Girl, Sat 27 - SPRING CRAFT FAIR Outdoor market formers, Tues 30 Apr, Arena Theatre, TIES - SATURDAY ENGINEERS Make Sun 28 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, featuring a variety of crafts to buy, Wolverhampton some eggstremely marvellous ma- Bewdley Sun 28 Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green,

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