Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover April 2020.qxp_Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover 23/03/2020 16:13 Page 1
Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands CHRIS RAMSEY IN DUDLEY WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON APRIL 2020
Wolverhampton & Black Country ISSUE 412 APRIL 2020 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On wolverhamptonwhatson.co.uk
inside: thelist PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP Your 16-page week by week listings guide
DIAL M FOR MURDER Tom Chambers and Samantha Womack star at the Grand TWITTER:@WHATSONWOLVES
BEACH BODY READY The Roaring Girls bring semi- improvised show to the Arena AEOK @WHATSONWOLVERHAMPTONFACEBOOK:
ALICE IN DUDLEY Easter wonderland activities WOLVERHAMPTONWHATSON.CO.UK at the Canal Trust BRB Nutcracker Full April 2020.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 15:42 Page 1 COVID Message.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:17 Page 2
WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP COVID-19 STATEMENT
The last few days have seen unprecedented measures being taken by the government in a bid to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Theatres, music venues, arts centres, museums, libraries, restaurants etc have all closed their doors to the general public for the time being. Different venues are projecting different time scales for the closures, with further announcements being made daily. Som e have announced that they’re hoping to re-open at the end of April. At the time of its publication, all information contained within our April issue was correct to the best of our knowledge. For the foreseeable future, we will use our social media channels to update our readers on further announcements, rescheduled dates and news of any forthcoming shows or events. This is an extremely difficult time f or everyone, including those working in the arts and event management, many of whom are self-employed. We’re all in this together, and once this is over we hope we can once again come together to support the fantastic arts & entertainment offer that we have here in the UK. In the meantime, physical and mental wellbeing takes top priority - so stay safe, be kind and keep your distance. Best wishes from the What’s On team x Homebuilding & Renovating Full April 20.qxp_Layout 1 24/03/2020 11:08 Page 1 Contents April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:58 Page 2
April 2020
Contents
The Kite Runner... Khaled Hosseini’s best selling novel brought to life at the Grand - feature page 8
Calan Tom Rosenthal Some Mothers... the list
breathing new life into old talks about Manhood at Joe Pasquale makes a return as Your 16-page traditions at Newhampton Arts Stafford Gatehouse Theatre accident-prone Frank Spencer week-by-week listings guide page 17 feature page 20 page 26 page 43 inside:
4. First Word 11. Food 17. Gigs 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 32. Film 34. Visual Arts 37. Events
@whatsonwolverhampton @staffordshirewhatson @whatsonshropshire Wolverhampton What’s On Staffordshire What’s On Shropshire What’s On
Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281733 MEDIA GROUP Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Nanci Davies, Patsy Moss, Sue Jones 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.
First Word Wolves_Shrops_Staffs April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:59 Page 1
Entertainment news from around the region
New date for popular home renovating show The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, which, along with vast numbers of other events, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, has been rescheduled for July. Commenting on the news, Nick Noble, commercial & events director for the show’s organisers, Future plc, said: “We plan to hold the event in four months’ time when we believe the situation in the UK will be much clearer and we can continue to maximise the opportunities and investment made by all our exhibitors. We would like to thank everyone for their support at this time and will continue to update the market over the next few weeks.”
Classic Ibiza event raising Pantomimes, the dedicated panto production Comic Con rescheduled company presenting the show, promise an funds at Weston Park ‘extravaganza’ that’s ‘bursting at the seams MCM Comic Con Birmingham has been rescheduled due to the coronavirus outbreak. witdience h au participation, lavish sets, The spectacular choreography, and a host of show will now take place at the NEC groan-worthy jokes and routines’. Tickets for across the weekend of 27 & 28 June. the show are now on sale at A spokesperson for the event said: “To all our staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk fans, your tickets will be valid for the new MCM Comic Con Birmingham dates and no further action is needed on your part. More Sir Matthew Bourne’s information on our guest line-up in June will Nutcracker! back in Brum be communicated as soon as we have it.” Star choreographer Matthew Bourne is bringing hit ballet Nutcracker! to A Beauty of a show for the Birmingham Hippodrome next year. An event featuring some of dance music’s Making a welcome return nine years after it festive season most iconic tracks - performed live in the last toured, the show stops off in the second A ‘spectacular’ retelling of Beauty And The grounds ostonf We Park - will this year lend city from Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 February. Beast will take centre-stage at the New Vic its support to a local charity that helps Influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme this Staffordshire children who have life-limiting of the 1930s, Nutcracker! follows Clara’s Christmas. The venue’s Artistic Director, illnesses. bittersweet journey to the candy kingdom of Theresa Heskins, will return to the original Taking place on Saturday 18 July, Classic Sweetieland and features Tchaikovsky’s version of the popular fairytale for her Ibiza will be raising funds for the Donna critically acclaimed score. To book tickets, adaptation. Louise Hospice For Children & Young People. visit birminghamhippodrome.com “Bringing new life to these classic stories is For more information about the event and absolutely what we’re about at the New Vic,” how you can contribute to raising cash for a says Theresa. “I enjoyed discovering the good cause, visit classicibiza.co.uk original version of Beauty And The Beast to cre ate this new version for our in-the-round Snow White to visit stage. It’s a story about kindness, about love, about not judging people based on outward Stafford this Christmas appearances - themes that feel apt for this Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs will be time. And it’s about magic, which is exciting visiting Stafford Gatehouse Theatre this to me as a director.” Christmas. Beauty And The Beast runs from Saturday 21 The venue’s festive-season show will see the November to Saturday 30 January. evil queen’s stepdaughter hiding out in the For more details and to book seats, visit woods with her vertically challenged pals newvictheatre.org.uk from 11 December to 3 January. Prime
whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolves_Shrops_Staffs April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:59 Page 2
First Word
Gareth Gates Footloose in Stoke-on-Trent! Pop Idol star Gareth Gates will head the cast of Footloose The Musical when the hit show tours to the Regent Theatre, Stoke- on-Trent, from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 November. Commenting on taking the role of Willard in the show, Gareth said: “I was born in 1984, the year Footloose the movie was first released. I used to watch the film lots as a kid, not knowing that some ye ars later I’d be playing the ‘cowboy who can’t dance’ on stages up and down the country. I’m a terrible dancer, so it’s pretty much a case of Saturday Kitchen chef Glynn at Shrewsbury Food Festival life imitating art!” Celebrity chef Glynn Purnell will bring a taste of said: “I worked in Shropshire for a brilliant spell TV’s Saturday Kitchen to Shrewsbury Food when Hibiscus in Ludlow won two Michelin Festival when he headlines the annual event at stars. It was a great time and I’ve always had a the town’s Quarry Park on 27 & 28 June. close association with the county. There are Glynn will be joined at the popular get-together some brilliant producers, brilliant chefs and by some of the West Midlands’ best chefs and first -class restaurants, so I’m delighted to have around 200 producers. been asked to headline the event.” Commenting on news of his involvement, Glynn Shropshire’s first ever dog park... Strictly Ballroom Shropshire's first ever indoor for Kevin Clifton dog park has opened in the Former Strictly Come Dancing town of Whitchurch. champion Kevin Clifton is to The idea of The Dogz Squad is star in Baz Luhrmann’s to allow dogs ‘to exercise their smash-hit production of brains and explore new Strictly Ballroom The Musical things’. when it visits Wolverhampton The business’s Whitchurch- Grand Theatre from Monday 5 based owner, Rebecca, is to Saturday 10 October. qualified in pet first-aid and After seven years on the hit has a diploma in pet BBC TV series, Kevin recently psychology. She keeps up to announced his departure date with research regarding from the show and is now 'canine enrichment' and looking forward to treading would like to help local dogs Sheridan Smith to star as Cilla Black the boards in Strictly exercise beyond just running Ballro om. Bafta-winning TV star Sheridan Smith is to play the late Cilla around a field. “When I was 10 years old, I Black when Cilla The Musical visits Birmingham’s The Alexandra At the moment, The Dogz first watched the movie that in the autumn. Squad takes place at would become my favourite The Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps favourite first Whitchurch Civic Centre film of all time,” says Kevin. played the much-loved singer in a 2014 television miniseries. Cilla Sports Hall on Fridays from “This is my dream role. Plus I The Musical debuted in 2017 and comes complete with the 6pm to 7pm. The business is get to work with Craig Revel singer’s Swinging ’60s hits, including Anyone Who Had A Heart, in the process of sorting other Horwood again!” Alfie, Step Inside Love and Something Tells Me. The show stops sessions. To find out more, For more information, visit off in Birmingham from Monday 2 to Saturday 7 November. visit thedogz squad.com grandtheatre.co.uk Tickets can be purchased at atgtickets.com whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolves_Shrops_Staffs April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:59 Page 3
First Word
From Soweto to Wolves The Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir will make their Wolverhampton Grand Theatre debut on Sunday 25 October. The world-renowned performers picked up the 2019 ‘best world music album’ Grammy for their record, Freedom. The choir’s Wolverhampton stop-off will see them performing a rousing selection of songs celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela. Their programme will also feature a number of internatio nal gospel classics - including a spine-tingling take on Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah and an extraordinary rendition of Amazing Grace, which has been viewed more than 15 million times on YouTube. For more information about the concert and to book tickets, visit grandtheatre.co.uk
Safari Park begins Iconic show returns to the Midlands Festival invites work on new luxury young folk to lodges apply for funding West Midland Safari Park is A trust that aims to support upgrading its animal facilities and help develop the careers of and building on-site young folk performers is accommodation. invit ing applications for its Eight luxury Safari Lodges will be 2020 round of funding. integrated into newly updated Up to four awards of up to habitats for the venue’s African £1,000 each will be made to elephants and cheetahs, emerging musicians, dancers providing guests with up-close & or singers by the Alan Surtees personal overnight wildlife Trust, which was established in experiences. memory of the co-founder and Commenting on the project, the director of Shrewsbury Folk Safari Park’s Accommodation & Festival. Venues Director, Chris Kelly, said: The closing date for applications is 30 April. Only “Conservation is at the forefront Chichester Festival Theatre’s Olivier Award-nominated production successful candidates will be of our minds when designing and of Singin’ In The Rain will be, er, storming into Birmingham contacted and the recipients building the lodges, so as part of Hippodrome next year (Tuesday 6 - Saturday 10 April 2021). will be announced in June. this project, our net biodiversity The hit show has so far played to more than 750,0 00 people and For more information and to gain will increase by 30%, features classic songs including Make ’em Laugh, Good Morning, apply for a grant, go to: creating more habitats such as Moses Supposes and, of course, the iconic title track itself. For more alansurteestrust.org.uk. woodlands and wildflower information and to book tickets, visit birminghamhippodrome.com meadows, encouraging native Follow the trust on Twitter wildlife.” @ASurteesTrust or on Hedgehog rescue centre seeks funds Facebook @AlanSurteesTrust A volunteer-run Shropshire hedgehog rescue centre is looking to raise funds through the launch of its first calendar. Pricklebums Hedgehog Rescue in Ludlow is planning to release a 2021 fundraising calendar featuring pictures and images of hedgehogs painted by local artists. To help cover the costs of producing the calendar, the rescue centre is looking for sponsorship from local businesses. A spokesperson said: “We’re hoping that local businesses might sponsor us to help cover some costs in exchange for advertising. We’re hoping to get one company for each .”page
whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolves_Shrops_Staffs April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:59 Page 4 The Kite Runner.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 14:13 Page 1
the path to redemption
whatsonlive.co.uk The Kite Runner.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 14:13 Page 2
Lauren Cole
Set against the tumultuous events that led to the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy and the rise of the Ta liban, Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner is one of the 21st century’s bestselling novels - and the stage adaptation of the story is coming to Wolverhampton this month...
Khaled Hosseini’s story of trauma, guilt and adaptation of the book. Matthew Spangler did ‘new ways’ and which ones feel a little left redemption follows central character Amir a wonderful job of really distilling the story behind, clinging to the old. Sadly, these are all from his childhood into manhood. into its key moments. Obviously there were lots very real dilemmas for some civilians in the of parts of the book that we simply couldn’t fit Middle East, and they don’t look like they’re It is Amir’s relationship with his father, and his in, but Matthew very cleverly picked out those going away any time soon. close but strained friendship with Hassan, that essential moments to create the narrative arc of guides The Kite Runner’s narrative, which in “Interestingly, on the first day of rehearsals, we the play. People who’ve read the book don’t turn is influenced by ethnically charged all sat down as a cast and told our stories - and often notice that we’ve left much out. It’s a very violence and the need to seek asylum. while not being exactly the same experiences successful adaptation - and very different to as Amir and his father had, they certainly had “The Kite Runner is a journey that pretty much the film adaptation. I don’t think the film some similarities. For example, my father came spans Amir’s entire life up until his present day worked particularly well. The play works much to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s. We all in 2002.” explains David Ahmad, who plays better because we’ve been able to keep the live with those experiences of feeling slightly the character. “Amir recounts his life and the narrator character, where Amir relives parts of different. Having that understanding of what choices he made that got him to that point. his life in front of the audience. That really life was like for my father trying to make his One choice from his childhood in particular he helps create a better connection to the way in a very alien country makes me relate to feels incredibly guilty for, and so The Kite audience, as they go on the journey with Amir. the story on a personal level also. Runner becomes the story of his path to It helps them feel part of the story.” redemption. It’s definitely an epic journey. “But this isn’t just a political story; it’s a story Almost two decades after it was published, The Essentially, he’s a child who makes a mistake, about people finding love, about regret, about Kite Runner’s deep exploration of human and I think that’s something which most the betrayal of a friend and a father-son relationships, and the wider political people can relate to. A lot of people, especially relationship. There are so many aspects for the statements that the novel makes, continue to at the end of act one, really don’t like Amir. As audience to connect with, and that’s what The resonate. a child, he’s not a particularly likeable Kite Runner does so well. The story is such a character. But the more I’ve lived with Amir, “The Kite Runner is just as important today as rollercoaster, and Hosseini certainly fits a lot of the more forgiveness I have for his actions, as I when it was written. There are so many facets gut-punches in there! It’s so emotional. feel like I’ve been with him for so long - since to the story, and that’s why it’s so well-loved. Certainly, the immediate reaction to the show the play was first staged in 2013, to be exact. There’s part of the story that everyone can is often one of silence, while the audience He’s a coward, sure, but at the end of the day relate to, in terms of the characters’ own digests what’s just happened. The main thing, he’s a child who makes some poor choices. He personal emotions and experiences and wider though, is that there’s still hope!” certainly tries to work through them in the politics. The story definitely still resonates with end.” the current situation in the Middle East - and with the refugee crisis in Syria, in particular. A This particular adaptation of The Kite Runner lot of The Kite Runner is about being an sticks as closely as possible to Hosseini’s immigrant; about adapting to leaving so much The Kite Runner shows at Wolverhampton groundbreaking novel. behind and being faced with a whole new Grand Theatre from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April. “I have to say that the play is such a faithful culture; about which characters embrace the
whatsonlive.co.uk Regent Theatre Full April 2020.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:01 Page 1 Food April WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 17:12 Page 1
Food
compromise on flavour for the comfort-food dish of my whatsoever. dreams. We were seriously impressed - To accompany the two dishes and beyond excited about what there was a portion of saffron was to follow! rice, a portion of rice flour roti (a My partner’s must-have choice healthier alternative to naan) was rabbit varuval - wild rabbit and one of the richest, creamiest meat marinated with home- and downright tastiest dal ground spices and served with makhanis I'd ever eaten. I green chutney. Presented on the genuinely couldn’t fault a thing - bone, the sweet rabbit was the food was sheer perfection. cooked to perfection, the coating Our final dishes of the evening showcasing just the right were the desserts: a sweet and REVIEW: INFINITII amount of spice. The green refreshing mango sorbet Sheer perfection at Staffordshire gem chutney, bursting with mint and supplied by award-winning dairy coriander flavours, was the farm Daltons, and a rich Prestigious Indian street food INFINITII is in partnership with perfect accompaniment. cinnamon dark & white eatery INFINITII is one of those Nelson’s, a Staffordshire-based chocolate mousse served with restaurants that you’ll find distillery, so we felt it was only I’m a sucker for a bit of food theatre and INFINITII’s smoky caramelised golden syrup and yourself still talking about fitting to sample their creations. decorative swirls of mango months after paying a visit. I’m not actually a big gin fan lamb tikka dish provided just that. Served inside a smoke- sauce. Both were beautiful in Located in the Staffordshire town (bucking the trend, I know), but taste and presentation. Indeed, my selected drink was both filled dome, which was lifted at of Abbots Bromley, INFINITII the table, sat marinated boneless the presentation at INFINITII is provides a modern twist on the refreshing and tasty. It may even second to none, and in my have converted me, which is morsels of cinnamon-smoked textures and flavours of India, lamb fillet, grilled to perfection opinion of Michelin-star quality. combining and celebrating something I thought would never happen. in the restaurant’s clay oven. My partner and I sat looking at diverse cooking techniques from The smoky meat was served with each other in utter disbelief. How multiple regions across the Our first course, light and crispy roasted peppers & onion and had we just enjoyed so much country. vadams - a modern but less oily accompanied by delicious green outstanding food for a mere £30 The kitchen is fronted by award- alternative to poppadoms - were chutney and rhubarb sauce. each?! INFINITII’s tasting menu served with a homemade spiced winning chef Mamrej Khan, On to the main courses of duck is value for money and then whose CV includes stints at the tomato salsa and a fresh onion some! Our debut experience at green salad. lucknowi and machchi mango five-star Taj Hotels in Chennai, curry. The first of the two dishes the restaurant really couldn’t The Rose Garden in the Maldives They were swiftly followed by featured seared barbary duck have been any better. The food and the Deluxe Palace Hotel in course number two - aloo brie breast simmered in caramelised was exemplary and the flavours Bahrain. tikki and kaffir lime lemon sole. onion, tomato, yoghurt & cashew exceptional, with every course On the evening my partner and I A vegetarian dish (which can be nut sauce. Bright orange in also showcasing excellent visited INFINITII, we sampled made vegan by swapping the colour and sweet in flavour with technical ability. The service was the five-course tasting menu - a brie for a vegan cheese), the aloo its underlying hint of cashew, the fantastic, the staff being both chef’s surprise. The restaurant brie tikki comprised spiced sauce was absolutely friendly and knowledgable. showcases a unique concept mashed potato cakes stuffed phenomenal and definitely one Not surprisingly, I can’t wait to whereby the menu is catered to with gooey, melted brie and of my highlights of the evening. return to sample some more of the customer. Diners are asked coated with cashew nut- The duck itself was cooked to the delicious cuisine this gem of three questions: do you have flavoured breadcrumbs. absolute perfection. a restaurant has to offer. The three potato cakes were Lauren Foster allergens or dietary The second dish featured soft requirements? Is there anything served atop a sweet tamarind sauce alongside decorative pan-fried fillets of tilapia fish that you don’t like? Is there simmered in coconut milk, five- Food: nnnnn anything on the menu which is a swipes of vibrant rhubarb and Service: nnnnn honey and mustard sauces. The spice - a sweet & sour sauce of must-have for you? Your must- green mangoes - and served with Ambience: nnnnn have choice(s) will be included flavour combinations were Overall value nnnnn simply stunning! a portion of nicely seasoned within your specially designed spiced potato. I adore a fish OVERALL nnnnn menu. The fish dish featured a curry, and INFINITII’s offering INFINITII We started off with a pint of beautifully soft and delicate was up there with the nicest I’ve Bagot Street Kingfisher and an INFINITII G&T shallow fried lemon sole fillet ever eaten. The perfectly cooked Abbots Bromley Sweet Gin Cocktail, comprising marinated with ginger, garlic, fish, the spicy, creamy sauce, curry leaf and paprika, served WS15 3DB Nelson’s Rose & Raspberry Gin, and what is essentially Indian- Tel: 01283 840008 juniper berries, cardamom and with mint lime olive oil - a inspired mashed potato, made Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic. healthier option which didn’t whatsonlive.co.uk Abba_210x275.qxp_Layout 1 16/03/2020 10:51 Page 1 Food April WolvesShropsStaffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 17:13 Page 2
Food
Purnell’s picks up Readers’ Award for a fifth consecutive year Michelin-star eatery Purnell’s has won the Best Independent Restaurant In The Midlands title for a fifth year running in What’s On Media Group’s 2020 What’s On Readers’ Awards. Owned by celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, the venue is a chic and contemporary fine-dining restaurant in Birmingham city centre.
Whitchurch Food & Drink Festival returns Whitchurch Food & Drink Festival returns on Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 May at the town’s Civic Centre. The free-entry event features an outdoor food court area comprising 60- plus stalls, a cookery-demonstration kitchen, cocktail-making classes and lots of activities for children to enjoy.
Frozen tea party in Shrewsbury Chocolate-themed fun run returns to Sandwell Valley Calling little - and big! - princes and A fun run with a tasty twist is coming to the the hospice, which provides vital care and princesses everywhere... You can this Black Country on Saturday 18 April. support to people living with life-limiting month enjoy afternoon tea with two of The region’s chocolate lovers are in for a sweet illnesses across Sandwell and Birmingham. your favourite-ever cartoon characters! treat as Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Once Upon A Party, which takes place Chocolate 5k & 10k run returns to Sandwell Mary’s Hospice, said: “Whether you’re into at The Peach Tree restaurant in Valley Country Park. running or you just love chocolate, the Shrewsbury on Saturday 25 April, will The popular event will see participants picking Chocolate 5k & 10k is a great family-friendly see the ever-popular Snow Sisters up goodies from numerous chocolate stations event which allows you to enjoy tasty treats providing entertainment and photo as they make their way around the course. whilst you burn off the calories.” opportunities aplenty. All funds raised from the run will go t owards To book, call the Peach Tree on 01743 355055. Dishoom Birmingham launch delayed due to coronavirus Dishoom Birmingham was intending to open its doors this month but is delaying doing so due to the coronavirus outbreak. Paying loving homage to the old Irani cafes that were once part of the fabric of life in Bombay, Dishoom brings together food cooked in Hindu, Muslim, Irani and Parsi traditions. The restaurant is located at the heart of Birmingham, at One Chamberlain Square, and can accommodate 330 guests. For more details, visit the website dishoom.com
whatsonlive.co.uk Classical April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 14:16 Page 1 Classical April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 14:16 Page 2
Classical
Russell Watson Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sun 5 April Often referred to as ‘the people’s tenor’, Russell Watson’s soaring voice has garnered him a vast global army of appreciative fans. The 53-year-old’s debut album, The Voice, topped the classical charts and saw him become the first British artist to hold both the US and UK classical number-one slots. He plays Wolverhampton in celebration of the album’s 20th anniversary. Featured songs include Caruso, O Sole Mio, Il Gladiatore, Nessun Dorma, You Are So Beautiful, Someone To Remember Me and Where My Heart Will Take Me.
Opera Boys Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 5 April Crossover artists have been big business for in between. much of the 21st century, so there’s little They visit Shrewsbury to perform a concert wonder that The Opera Boys continue to of songs from the shows - from timeless enjoy such a successful career. classics like Les Miserables, Phantom Of Their classically trained voices combine in The Opera and West Side Story, to modern a powerhouse of vocal harmony to de liver a smash-hits such as Jersey Boys, We Will winning blend of opera, pop and everything Rock You and The Greatest Showman
Carducci Quartet Sakari Oramo & Royal STOP. Cafe Bar, Shrewsbury Museum, Stockholm Philharmonic Thurs 23 April Ex Cathedra: Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 25 April Performing more than 90 international St John Passion concerts each year, Carducci are regarded Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 10 April as one of the most successful string A favourite at Eastertide, Bach’s moving quartets in the business. retelling of Christ’s betrayal and death is Their Shrewsbury ‘chill-out concert’ one of classical music’s most profound comprises an informal programme of experiences. Sung in German with English relaxing 20th & 21st century works by surtitles, St John Passion is here composers including Philip Glass, Peter performed by the Ex Cathedra Choir under Gregson, Joby Talbot and Arvo Part. the direction of its founder and conductor, A one-time music director of the City of Jeffreidmorey Sk (pictured). Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sakari Oramo returns to his old stomping ground with the orchestra for whom he’s been chief conductor since leaving the CBSO in 2008. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic last performed in Birmingham some 29 years ago. They are joined for this long-overdue r eturn the city to by violinist Nicola Benedetti. The evening’s programme features Victoria Borisova-Ollas’ Open Ground, Benedetti performing Prokofiev’s second concerto, and Sibelius’s Symphony No2. whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs 2.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 08:35 Page 1
Thursday 16th April at 7.30pm Friday 17th April at 7.30pm Saturday 18th April at 11am, 2pm & 4pm
Drama Spoken Word Drama REFORMREFORM THEATRETHEAT OMNIBUS THEATRE: MISCHIEFMISCHIEF ANDAND MYSTERYM COMPANY: MIDSUMMER SEXY LAMP IN MOOMINVALLEY
Tickets £10 Tickets £10 Tickets £7
Thursday 23rd April at 7.30pm Saturday 25th April at 7.30pm Thursday 30th April at 7.30pm
Dance ComedyComedy Dance LEWYSLEWYS HOLT: ROARING GIRLS: JASMIN VARDIMON PHRASES AND FOOTNOTES BEACH BODY READY COMPANY: JV2 Tickets £10 TicketsTickets £10£10 Tickets £10
whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS April Wolves_Shrops_Staffs 2.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 08:35 Page 2
Gigs
Beardyman Albert’s Shed Southwater, Telford, Thurs 30 April Championed by the likes of Tim Minchin and Jack Black, Darren Alexander Foreman - or Beardyman, as he’s better known - is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, a groundbreaking live looping pioneer, a musical comedic talent and one of the world’s best beatboxers. He’s also a man who’s collaborated with Fatboy Slim and Calvin Harris to produce a glob al phenomenon - the song Eat Sleep Rave Repeat - and whose popularity at festivals has seen him spend much of the last decade touring the world. He visits Telford with his Sheer Volume: The Initial Phase tour.
Calan of the Welsh clogs. Taking a contemporary approach by breathing new life into old Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton, Sat 25 April traditions, they were voted best band at the inaugural Wales Folk Awards in 2019 and Calan have certainly found their musical best international band at France’s Lorient niche, showcasing a unique instrumental Festival. Expect a fast-paced and uplifting blend of accordion, fiddle, guitar, Welsh show from this fresh and vibrant five-piece. The Academic pipes, Welsh harp and the percussive sound The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 22 April Ireland’s newest indie-rock sensations have come a long way since performing Battle of Tankus The Henge Wilko Johnson the Bands competitions at their local school. The Robin, Bilston, Thur 2 April Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 25 April Compris ing Craig Fitzgerald, Dean Gavin and Tankus The Henge have been described as ‘a Following a remarkable recovery from a brothers Matt and Stephen Murtagh, The psychedelic rock & roll octopus... only with diagnosis of terminal cancer, original Dr Academic have accumulated a long list of four more legs.” Widely admired both for Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson has sold-out headline shows, appeared at some their songwriting and their live recently released Blow Your Mind, his first of Europe’s most high-profile festivals and performances, the cult band’s wildly eclectic album of new material in decades. performed opening slots for acts including funk-fuelled repertoire ranges from New Famed for his blistering chop-chord The Strokes, Twenty One Pilots and Catfish Orleans-inspired swing to heavy rock riffs. strumming action, the 72-year-old formed And The Bottlemen. The future looks bright. the Wilko Johnson Band with Blockheads bassist Norman Watt-Roy, following a stint Dean Friedman with Ian Dury & The Blockheads in the Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, 1980s. Featuring former Blockhead Dylan Thurs 23 April Howe on drums, the trio is considered to be Back by popular demand after his last sell- one of the most exciting R&B bands in the out show, Dean Friedman here presents world today. another evening of infectious pop songs. The American singer-songwriter first came to prominence thanks to the chart success of hit single Ariel, a quirkily irresistible song about a free-spirited, pot-smoking, vegetarian Jewish girl in a peasant blouse who lived, as the lyric goes, “...way on the other side of the Hudson”. whatsonlive.co.uk Readers' Awards 2020 Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 16:12 Page 1
Readers’ What’sOn Awards WINNERS announced... With over 68,000 votes cast in the What’s OnReaders’ Awards 2020, we are delighted to announce your winners...
Best Midlands Large Theatre Best Amateur Production Best Orchestra/Choir WINNER The Sound Of Music - Get Your WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic Wigle On Orchestra RUNNER-UP Shrek The Musical - RUNNER-UP CBSO Coventry Musical Theatre Best Dance Production Best Kids Show WINNER Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker RUNNER-UP Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Beauty And The Beast Best Midlands Arts/ Cultural Festival
WINNER Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Wolverhampton Grand Best Touring Musical WINNER Les Misérables RUNNER-UP The Rocky Horror Show WINNER Birmingham Stage Company’s Horrible Histories - touring Best Touring Play RUNNER-UP The Tiger Who Came To WINNER The Girl On The Train Tea - touring RUNNER-UP An Inspector Calls Best Classical Production Best Home-Produced Show inc Opera WINNER Birmingham Comedy Festival In The Midlands RUNNER-UP Shrewsbury International WINNER The Boy In The Dress - RSC Comedy Festival RUNNER-UP The Snow Queen - The Old Best Exhibition Rep, Birmingham WINNER Natural History Museum’s Best Pantomime Wildlife Photographer of the Year - In The Midlands 2019/20 Herbert Art Gallery & Museum and WINNER Snow White - Wolverhampton Museum & Art Gallery Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Leonardo da Vinci: A Life RUNNER-UP Aladdin - Theatre Severn In Drawing - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Best Pantomime Dame In The Midlands 2019/20 Best Midlands Live Music Venue WINNER Birmingham Philharmonic WINNER Symphony Hall, Birmingham WINNER Andrew Ryan in Snow White at Orchestra: Movie Music RUNNER-UP O2 Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome RUNNER-UP Royal Philharmonic RUNNER-UP Brad Fitt in Aladdin at Orchestra: The Planets Theatre Severn
whatsonlive.co.uk Readers' Awards 2020 Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 16:12 Page 2
Readers’ Awards
Best Midlands Music Festival Best Midlands Street Food Vendor Best Market in the Midlands WINNER Urban Cheesecake WINNER The Market Hall, Shrewsbury RUNNER-UP Dick’s Smokehouse RUNNER-UP Bullring Indoor Market, Birmingham Best Midlands Comedy Night WINNER Comedy Carousel at The Glee Club, Birmingham RUNNER-UP Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club Best Midlands Food Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Folk Festival RUNNER-UP Ludlow Food Festival RUNNER-UP Birmingham Pride and the winners in your region... Wolverhampton Best Live Music Venue Best Visitor Attraction WINNER Lichfield Guildhall WINNER Ironbridge Museums Best Arts/Theatre Venue RUNNER-UP Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent RUNNER-UP Attingham Park WINNER Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Best Music Festival Best Event RUNNER-UP Dudley Town Hall WINNER Staffs Fest WINNER Shrewsbury Flower Show RUNNER-UP Lichfield Festival Best Live Music Venue RUNNER-UP Shrewsbury Wacky Races WINNER The Robin 2, Bilston Best Arts Festival Best Food Festival RUNNER-UP Dudley Town Hall WINNER Lichfield Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Food Festival RUNNER-UP The Big Feast, Stoke-on-Trent Best Visitor Attraction RUNNER-UP Ludlow Food Festival WINNER Black Country Living Museum Best Food Festival Best Arts Festival RUNNER-UP Dudley Zoo & Castle WINNER Lichfield Food Festival WINNER Shrewsbury Festival of Literature RUNNER-UP Stone Food & Drink Festival Best Event RUNNER-UP Ludlow Fringe Festival WINNER Peaky Blinders Nights at Best Visitor Attraction Best Music Festival Black Country Living Museum WINNER Lichfield Cathedral WINNER Shrewsbury Folk Festival RUNNER-UP Cosford Air Show RUNNER-UP Alton Towers RUNNER-UP Let’s Rock Shrewsbury Best Gallery/Exhibition Venue Best Event Best Gallery/Exhibition Venue WINNER Wolverhampton Museum WINNER The Cathedral Illuminated at WINNER Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery Lichfield Cathedral & Art Gallery RUNNER-UP Dudley Museum at RUNNER-UP Scarefest at Alton Towers The Archives RUNNER-UP Coalbrookdale Gallery, Best Independent Restaurant Ironbridge Best Independent Restaurant WINNER The Boat Inn, Lichfield Best Independent Restaurant WINNER The Old Glasshouse, Dudley RUNNER-UP 1709 The Brasserie, Lichfield RUNNER-UP The Summerhouse, Sedgley WINNER Dough & Oil, Shrewsbury RUNNER-UP Hundred House, Telford Shropshire Staffordshire Best Independent Coffee Shop Best Arts/Theatre Venue Best Arts/Theatre Venue WINNER House Coffee Co, Shrewsbury WINNER Theatre Severn RUNNER-UP The Bird’s Nest, Shrewsbury WINNER Lichfield Garrick Theatre RUNNER-UP The Place, Telford RUNNER-UP New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Best Live Music Venue WINNER Albert’s Shed, Shrewsbury RUNNER-UP Henry Tudor House, S’bury
You can find a full list of winners at whatsonlive.co.uk
whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:13 Page 1
Comedy previews from around the region
Jack Barry Birmingham Rep, Sat 25 April Having previously provided tour support for James Acaster and Joe Lycett, Jack Barry here steps out on his own for a show that sees him addressing the fact that he doesn’t think you’ve been laughing enough. No surprise there, says Jack, what with the world having turned to s***. Jack’s show is called Alien - by which he means the immigrant kind - and being a pot- smo king old hippie at heart, he’d be happy to do away with borders altogether. His timely message about acceptance will no doubt resonate with many in The Rep’s audience, his line in humour with even more.
Joel Dommett Palace Theatre, Redditch, Wed 8 April; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, Sat 18 April; Tom Rosenthal Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 19 April; Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 2 May; Stafford Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 6 April; Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed 8 April Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 28 May An Edinburgh Fringe hit last summer, Tom many cultures, he acknowledges, but then “I absolutely love performing in small, Rosenthal’s Manhood (the show, that is, not so was witch-burning and slavery. intimate spaces,” says The Masked Singer his penis) provides opportunities enough to Sports fans in the audience may be presenter Joel Dommett, a man who was enjoy a chuckle - providing you’re okay interested to know that Tom is the son of once the face of MTV - until he was sacked with the subject of circumcision and eynjo television presenter Jim Rosenthal, one of at the age of 27 for being ‘too old’. “I’d far a good dick joke or several. the broadcasters on whom Steve Coogan’s rather do a small gig in front of 50 people, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom was Alan Partrid ge character was originally but be doing new stuff, than do old stuff in circumcised as an infant and clearly isn’t based. front of 5,000 people.” happy about it. Sure, it’s a tradition in Joel is extremely committed to the business of keeping his act fresh. “I’m working on material pretty much all the time,” explains the one-time Justin Bieber warm-up act. “In John Shuttleworth Andrew Maxwell fact, I try to put in something new every Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Sat 18 April; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 30 April; time I go on stage. If there’s something new Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, The Old Rep, Fri 22 May in there , it brightens up the whole set and Fri 24 April; New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- under-Lyme, Sat 25 April Dublin-born funnyman and I’m A gives it more energy and excitement.” Celebrity star Andrew Maxwell has Midlands-based lovers of light comedy here garnered a reputation for writing quality get the chance to enjoy another laughter- material at breakneck speed, to ensure filled evening in the company of Sheffield’s he’s always across the most topical and raconteur par excellence. talked-about issues. The creation of actor Graham Fellows - a “I’ll re-use material as long as it’s still one-time chartbuster with 1970s’ hit, Jilted relevant,” says Andrew, “but you have to John - Shuttleworth has been making his keep challenging yourself.” presence felt on the UK comedy circuit for And Andrew certainly does that. Previous more than 30 years. gigs have included a maximum security This latest show finds John a pale shadow prison in Dublin, the UDA on Shankill of his former self. Years of strenuous DIY - Road, the IRA on the Falls Road, and an not to mention playing his organ while illegal gay rave in the Middle East. perched on a multi-pack of Diet Sprite with “If my first reaction to the prospect of no lumber support - has taken its to ll... doing a show is one of raw terror, I know Expect classic songs, new stories, and the I’m on the right path. I’m always open to a unmistakably pungent whiff of Deep Heat new experience, however scary!” ointment... whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:13 Page 2
Comedy
Seann Walsh Rose Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 3 April; Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 24 April Seann Walsh is such a popular comic he could even give Real Madrid a run for their money when it comes to the acquisition of silverware. An award-winning star of television shows such as Mock The Week, the somewhat dishevelled comedian has been likened to the legendary Billy Connolly in terms of his gift for storytelling (although others have labelled him the new Dylan Moran, so take your pick). His jokes aren’t bad either, with two examples being as follows: “I don't understand swimming. You don't see fish going for a walk,” and “Are city-centre beat officers police who rap?”
Sukh Ojla The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sat 25 April; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sat 9 May; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Thurs 25 June
Chris Ramsey Dudley Town Hall, Fri 3 April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sat 4 April; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sun 5 April; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Fri 17 April; Dudley Town Hall, Sat 17 October; Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 22 November As well as being a highly rated stand-up, Winter, co-host Sh*gged. Married. Annoyed. Geordie boy Chris has developed an Chris’ gags include: “My venue for the impressive telly career, appearing on shows Edinburgh Festival is a por tacabin; it's including 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Strictly Come literally a portacabin! I'm a Geordie, in a Dancing (reaching the semi-finals in 2019). portacabin. I was going to call the show Auf He’s scored a big hit in the podcast world, Wiedersehen Pet Live.” too; he and his wife, singer & actress Rosie
“Life Sukhs is about moving back in with Rhod Gilbert your parents at a time when all your mates Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Sat 4 April; are buying houses and having babies," Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 6 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Sat 6 June; William Aston Hall, Wrexham, explains Sukh Olja, in talking about her Fri 19 June currently touring show. "It's about finding Welsh funnyman Rhod Gilbert has acquired a huge yourself crying into a cheese & onion pasty and still-growing following thanks to a high-energy at Rochester train station on a Tuesday brand of grumpiness that marks him out as one of the afternoon, living a double life, mental top comedians of his generation. health and identity. In short, it’s a searingly With several sell-out UK tours to his name, the multi- honest look at what happens when life award winner is this month returning to the Midlands doesn’t go to plan.” with brand new show The Book Of John - seven long An actor whose CV includes Judi Dench years after he last went on tour. movie Victoria And Abdul, dystopian TV Rhod’s best-loved gags include: “In the Bible, God series Black Mirror and BBC soap opera made it rain for 40 days and 40 nights. That’s a pretty EastEnders, Sukh is comparatively new to good summer for Wales,” and “A spa hotel? It’s like a stand-up, presenting her first full-length normal hotel, only in reception there’s a picture of a show at the Edinburgh Fringe last summer. pebble.” whatsonlive.co.uk Message In A Bottle.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:49 Page 1
a message of hope
whatsonlive.co.uk Message In A Bottle.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:49 Page 2
Lauren Cole
Message In A Bottle is a new dance-theatre storytelling spectacular about refugees, humanity and hope. The production takes to the stage in Birmingham this month...
Determined and daring, three siblings parted He has worked as a creative and choreographer feeling the audience’s energy back from you is by violence step out on their own on The X-Factor, The Voice and Strictly Come an incredible feeling. extraordinary adventures... Dancing, and with artists including Taylor “I’m the director of my own company - Swift and Celine Dion. Directed and choreographed by triple Olivier UnTitled Dance - and have self-produced three Award nominee and Birmingham Hippodrome “In Message In A Bottle, I play the eldest shows of my own, but to have worked in the Associate Kate Prince, Message In A Bottle has brother. You get to see his attempts to find his West End is such a dream. Hopefully, with the been astounding audiences in the West End. version of family love after his own family is knowledge I’ve gained and the experience of The piece is inspired by the iconic hits of 17- divided. Then, as associate choreographer, I working with people like Kate, Sadler’s Wells time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting. worked with Kate on creating the dance. It’s a and Universal Music UK, doors will be opened wonderful hybrid of breaking and hip-hop for me to produce my own work on a larger “The production follows a family in a village as styles, as well as contemporary. Kate has a scale. I’m a creative first and foremost - that’s they’re displaced due to war,” explains massive background in hip-hop styles, but not what I love doing.” associate choreographer and star of the show necessarily contemporary, so I came in to make Lukas McFarlane. “It specifically focuses on Message In A Bottle will tug on your a contribution with that. I’ve helped Kate three siblings in the family and their unique heartstrings, says Lukas: “The biggest thing create this story through that hybrid journeys and experiences of being refugees. It we’ve tried to get across in the show is that movement. documents their attempts to find family, love hope and love prevail over everything else. and hope again in a new home.” “Working with her has been a gift - and that’s While it’s a really emotional story, we hope the putting it mildly! I’ve been such a massive fan audience is left with a sense of hope - a feeling Included among the Sting hits featured in of hers for so long, so when she reached out to that a sense of belonging can be created Message In A Bottle are Roxanne, Every Breath me and said she was also a fan of mine, it was anywhere, and not necessarily just by blood You Take, Walking On The Moon, Fields Of so humbling. I couldn’t have asked for a better either. Acceptance of who you are, no matter Gold, Englishman In New York and Shape Of person to learn from in this realm, especially what your background is, can definitely be My Heart. as I come from a TV commercial background, found. “What Sting speaks about in his music - working with artists and in the music industry “I’m obviously a little biased, but I honestly subjects like politics and the world climate - is but with my training being in theatre. believe there’s nothing else that’s similar to still really relevant today, even when you listen “I’m so, so grateful to have had the what we’ve created. Message In A Bottle is so to his earlier works,” says Lukas. “So many of opportunity to work with someone who is not unique in that it is, essentially, a ballet, but his songs still ring true! Being a massive fan of only amazing at what she does, but who is also from a more commercial narrative, about his, Kate felt like his songs and lyrics would lay so kind and who cares so much about the dance being the language of youth. It also tells really beautifully on a story about refugees. stories she’s telling and the company of such an emotional story. I promise that you “Message In A Bottle is definitely more like a dancers telling it. Kate is a very compassionate will be left with lasting memories if you come ballet in terms of the fact that there’s no director and choreographer, and I feel very to see it, whether what sticks in your mind is dialogue - the story is told through dance, lucky to have worked with her. the incredible physicality of the dancers, the movement and music alone. Dance is a lighting, set & costume design, Sting’s “The biggest thing I’ve learnt from her is the universal language - the emotion and energy amazing music, or the actual story itself.” power of storytelling; how even the tiniest, behind it can be understood across all most minimalistic movement can contribute so languages and cultures - so that’s really much to an emotion or narrative. The beauty of interesting when you compare it to a story theatre is that you’re creating something which about people who are forced to leave their the audience can feel so palpably because it’s Message In A Bottle shows at Birmingham home and adjust to a new environment.” right in front of them. That’s very different to Hippodrome on Wednesday 8 & Thursday 9 Having won Sky One’s hit TV show, Got To what I’m used to doing, with an audience April. Dance, at just 19 years of age, Lukas is fast watching something captured via a lens. becoming a well-known and widely respected “Theatre is just so much more alive, and artist.
whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 1
Theatre Theatre from around the region
We Will Rock You Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 20 April - Sat 2 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent. Mon 25 - Sat 30 May
A pulsating homage to the music of Queen, We Will Rock You may be short on storyline, but it’s got bags of energy - and just about as brilliant a soundtrack as any musical’s ever likely to have. The show’s frontline performers give it their all to excellent effect, while the sets and choreography ensure a visual spectacle to remember. For those who care about the plot, the story is set in a future where originality has been quashed, musical instruments banned, and a hero is needed to bring back rock music... Yes, it’s all a bit contrived, but how else are you going to glue together all of Queen’s greatest hits in a single show? A fantastic evening's entertainment for fans of Freddie & Co, so catch it while you can...
Dial M For Murder Oliver Twist Priscilla Queen Of The Alexandra, Birmingham, Mon 20 - Sat 25 The REP, Birmingham, 29 April - 9 May The Desert April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 9 - Sat 13 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, This brand new version of the classic Charles Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 14 - Sat 18 July Dickens story has been adapted for the stage Mon 13 - Sat 18 April by Bryony Lavery, the creative force behind previous Birmingham Rep favourites Treasure Island, The Lovely Bones and Frozen. Telling the terrific tale of a young boy whose escape from the workhouse kickstarts a dangerous adventure in the twisted streets of old London town, the production is presented by Ramps On The Moon - a consortium of seven major theatres Based on the movie of the same name, committed to putting D/deaf and disabled Priscilla the stage show has wowed both artists and audiences at the centre of its West End and Broadway audiences, picking work. up a coveted Olivier and an equally Samantha Womack and Tom Chambers star in prestigious Tony Award along the accolade- Frederick Knott’s erotic tale of betrayal, strewn way. At its heart is an uplifting story passion and murder - best known, of course, of the friendship shared by three pals, who from its 1954 Alfred Hitchcock-directed film hop aboard a battered old bus and head off version starring Ray Milland and Grace Kelly. across Australia in search of love and When Tony becomes convinced that wife romance. Margot is having an affair, he devises a means The hit show comes complete with a dazzling of having her murdered while at the same time array of costumes and a glorious selection of ensuring he has a watertight alibi. But not dancefloor favourites. Former Strictly winner everything goes according to plan... Joe McFadden takes the lead role of Tick.
whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 2 Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 3
Theatre more theatre from around the region
Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 14 - Sat 18 April; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tues 19 - Sat 23 May Joe Pasquale makes a welcome return to the stage as the accident-prone Frank Spencer, the character created and made famous by Michael Crawford in the classic 1970s’ sitcom bearing the same title. “I don’t do it as Michael’s Frank Spencer, though,” says Joe. “That would be an insult to Michael. I’m putting my own personality into it. “Frank isn’t childish; he believes in what he’s doing. The relationship between him and his wife, Betty, is a love story. He might always mess up, but she loves him anyway. For it to work, she has to; otherwise he’d just be an idiot.” Joe is joined by Sarah Earnshaw as the long- suffering Betty and Susie Blake as Frank’s disapproving mother-in-law, Mrs Fisher.
Confessions Of A Jew...ish century London slum and twice sent to the workhouse before the age of nine... Cockney Temple Dancer The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, The critically acclaimed Arrows & Traps are Fri 3 & Sat 4 April The REP, Birmingham, Tues 21 - Sat 25 April the company behind this psychological Starting out as a TV pilot, Jew...ish is explora tion of the silent-movie eras’s biggest, described by its two stars as ‘a pitch-black brightest and perhaps most surprising star. romantic comedy’. While it’s questionable whether the show ever manages to get all that dark, let alone ‘pitch-black’, it definitely The Delightful Sausage: does hit the mark as a romcom. Focusing on Ginster’s Paradise the on-off intercultural relationship of TJ and Max, the story plays out against the colourful Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 23 April backdrop of Jewish family life and the trials & tribulations of the millennial generation. Surreal northern double-act Amy Gledhill and Christopher-Louise Cantrill are the top Taking a journey from the temple rituals of talent behind this production, a show which India to the bad-boy streets of London, the pair describe as ‘a comedy nightmare Shane Shambhu’s bilingual solo work is a that’ll tear your soul apart’... contemplation on both his own life and the No ordinary nigh t out at the theatre, then! experience of performing Indian dance in the The show finds the duo working as new UK. “I draw on my experience from differing ‘salmon coats’ at holiday camp Ginsters, a artistic roles and practices,” explains Shane. venue that offers hard-grafting Yorkshire folk “In doing so, I unearth new creative the opportunity to kick back, relax and forget pathways that challenge perceptions of about the stresses and strains of everyday performance and cultural identities.” life. But can Amy and Chris keep their campers entertained, obedient and Up Pompeii Chaplin: Birth Of A Tramp medicated?... Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 22 & Thurs 23 April Wed 15 April Following a vote by Ambient Nights’ Charlie Chaplin’s dedicated audie nce, Up Pompeii was selected stellar Hollywood as the show with which to celebrate the career was all the theatre company’s 10th anniversary. more remarkable given For those not in the know, the production is that his childhood had based on a late-1960s BBC sitcom in which been spent in abject comedian Frankie Howerd starred as a slave poverty. The son of an in pre-eruption Pompeii - a place, it turns alcoholic father and a out, where risqué gags and double entendres mother who would eventually succumb to were very much the order of the day... psychosis, he was brought up in a late-19th
whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 4 Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 5
Theatre
Volpone Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 April One of the greatest of all Jacobean plays, Volpone is a stylish example of playwright Ben Johnson at his very best. Although the titular character seems to be on his last legs, he is, in truth, setting a trap for those about him who covet his fortune, not least among whom is his ‘faithful’ manservant Mosca... African Caribbean ensemble Tangle present this centuries-old satire, a work of theatre which ably illustrates that some things, including man’s propensity for avaricious and lustful behaviour, will never change.
Friends! under Nazi occupation... By The Waters Billed as a ‘strikingly original, audacious The Musical Parody thriller’, Amsterdam explores issues around Of Liverpool Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 14 April; the topical subjec ts of collective identity, Malvern Theatres, Tues 14 & Wed 15 April Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tue 5 May; foreignness and alienation, reconstructing Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Thurs 24 Helen Forrester’s autobiographical play, from September; Swan Theatre, Worcester, Fri 16 horrific stories of the Holocaust in an her same-titled bestselling book, is set in the October admirably heartfelt attempt to make some 1930s and finds the teenage Helen fighting a If it’s not broken, don’t turn it into a stage sense of present-day political discourse. bitter battle with her parents for the right to musical, would surely have been the advice educate herself and go o ut to work. that millions of Friends fans would’ve given Life, however, has a habit of getting in the the creative team who set out to make this way of even the best-laid plans - and so it show. So it’s probably a good thing that those proves for Helen... millions of fans were never actually Following her family’s fall from grace, she canvassed for their opinion, because by all finds herself taken from school to work as an accounts Friends! The Musical Parody makes ‘unpaid slave’ looking after her siblings. But for a thoroughly enjoyable night out at the with Britain on the brink of war, the arrival in theatre. her life of a tall, strong seaman provides Lovingly lampooning the hit TV sitcom from Helen with the chink of light for which she’s the 1990s, the show is a good-hearted romp been despera tely searching... through the series’ most memorable Lemons Lemons Lemons moments, but with the addition of some high-energ y song & dance routines. What’s Lemons Lemons I, Elizabeth not to like?... Albany Theatre, Coventry, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Thurs 2 April; Wed 29 & Thurs 30 April Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Thurs 7 & Fri 8 May Amsterdam When the government passes a law allowing each individual to speak a maximum of only Dyad Productions, who are also touring The Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Mon 27 - Wed 140 words per day, Bernadette and Oliver find Unremarkable Death Of Marilyn Monroe to 29 April; The REP, Birmingham, Tues 12 - Sat Midlands venues this spring, are the company 16 May themselves battling hard to negotiate the choppy waters of their relationship... behind this revealing study of the Virgin Maya Arad Yasur’s play begins in the modern Sam Steiner’s dystopian drama has met with Queen. Written and performed by Rebecca day, when a nine-months -pregnant Jewish mixed reviews since debuting a couple of Vaughan, the show is violinist living in a plush Amsterdam years back, but there’s no denying it has directed by Guy apartment finds an unpaid gas bill for 1,700 plenty to say about the modern world and Masterson, whose euros pushed under her door. Not only is the homage to comedian bill not owed by her, it is also dated 1944 - the importance of language. A s Steiner himself observes: “Freedom of speech is all Eric Morecambe won the decades before the violinist was even born Olivier Award for Best and a year during which Amsterdam was still well and good, but it doesn’t matter if we’re not listening to each other.” Entertainment in 2010.
whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 6
more theatre from around the region
Blood Brothers Lichfield Garrick, Tues 7 - Sat 11 April If you’re one of the comparatively few theatre-goers who hasn’t yet caught up with Willy Russell’s hit show, Blood Brothers, then here’s a perfect opportunity to do so. The story of twins separated at birth who’re brought up in different social circumstances but remain inextricably linked, Blood Brothers isn’t so much a musical as a play with music. Former New Seeker Lyn Paul takes the lead role of Mrs Johnsto ne, with highlights including memorable songs A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged Tell Me It’s Not True.
Beach Body Ready Shakespeare’s forerunner to modern farce, plan to rekindle his interest, courte sy of her Comedy is a superbly crafted catalogue of younger alter-ego, the wild and sparkling Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 25 April; mistaken identity, adult erous liaisons and Miss Livvy... Presented by the ever-impressive Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, Thurs 11 June slapstick humour. Northern Broadsides. Two sets of identical twins are separated during infancy. When their paths cross again Girls Just Wanna later in life, all manner of Have Fun confusions ensue. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 10 & Sat 11 Matters are then further April; Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Wed 22 April; complicated by the Lichfield Garrick, Sun 24 May; Malvern involvement of an irate Theatres, Thurs 28 May; The Albany, Coventry, Thurs 11 June; The Place, Telford, Fri 12 June courtesan, an insistent jeweller and a mad Linda Nolan and X-Factor finalist Niki Evans exorcist! are two of the four women enjoying an evening of fun and frivolity in this brand new musical comedy. Hull-based theatre company The Roaring Quality Street Described as a no-holds-barred romp through Girls have built their reputation around everything life throws at a modern-day creating work that is fierce, feminist and fun - New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Tues 28 April - Sat 9 May woman, the show is unlikely to pull up any and latest offering Beach Body Ready is no trees when it comes to originality. That said, exception. Created in the ensemble’s semi- having previously helmed Hormonal improvised style, the show ‘sticks two fingers Housewives, its producers absolutely know up’ at everything the media says about how the market the y’re playing to and are old women should look. hands at giving their audience a fantastic “Summer has rocked up and coerced us all night out. into thinking about how awful our bodies So if you fancy channelling your inner diva are,” say the Girls. “Expect an evening of for a couple of hours, you know what you impassioned rants, cheesy fitness routines, need to do... informal chats and a beach trip on film, accompanied by a banging soundtrack.”
JM Barrie is best known, of course, as the The Comedy Of Errors creator of Peter Pan, but years before he ventured to Neverland, he penned a farce so Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon, Sat 25 April - Sat 3 October popular that it gave its name to one of the UK’s most famous brands of chocolate. Comedian Miles Jupp stars as Antipholus of When Captain Valentine returns from Syracuse in this brand new Royal fighting Napoleon, he’s disappointed to find Shakespeare Company production of one of Phoebe Throssel somewhat less glamorous the bard’s most popular offerings. than he remembers her. But Phoebe has a whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre April.qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2020 15:40 Page 7
Theatre theatre for kids from around the region Horrible Histories: The Worst Of Barmy Britain Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 11 April; Stratford Playhouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sun 26 April; Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 27 May If you love the Horrible Histories series - and why the heck wouldn’t you?! - then Barmy Britain is a show well worth catching. Alongside providing answers to such searching questions as ‘what would happen if a Viking moved in next door?’ and ‘will you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson?’, the show also invites audiences to roar with laughter with Richard the Lionheart, light up their life with the great fire of London and find out if the Duke of We llington gets the boot. In short, and as its publicity says, it’s ‘a truly horrible history of Britain - with all the nasty bits left in!’
Shark In The Park! The Tiger Who that this latest production is well Worcester Swan Theatre, Sun 5 April; Artrix, Came To Tea worth catching. Bromsgrove, Mon 6 April; Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 14 April; Rose Theatre, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 9 - Sun Peppa Pig is Tewkesbury, Wed 15 April 1 2 April; Lichfield Garrick, Tues 21 & Wed 22 heading out on a April Nick Sharratt has road trip with Following on from a hugely successful West illustrated over 250 George, Mummy Pig End season, the tea-guzzling tiger once again books, around one- and Daddy Pig, and drops in on Sophie and her mum just as fifth of which have there are plenty of they’re settling down for an afternoon been by Tracy adventures waiting to be had - including ones cuppa... Beaker author that involve dragons, dinosaurs, ice-creams Adapted by David Wood from the late Judith Jacqueline Wilson. and muddy puddles... Kerr’s 1968 book, this 55-minute show comes One of Nick’s own is without an interval, features singalong songs the hugely and boasts plenty of magic - not to mention a Billionaire Boy successful Shark In The Park!, a children’s big stripy tiger, of course! Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 22 - Sat 25 story about a young lad named Timothy who April; Theatre Severn, Shrewsburym Thurs 14 - goes to his local park to try out his new Sun 17 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, telescope. While there, he thinks he spots a Wed 23 - Sun 27 September shark - and not just on one occasion either, Birmingham Stage Company has impressive but several times in several places! form when it comes to adaptations of David The popularity of the book prompted Sharratt Walliams’ work, so anybody wondering to wri te and illustrate two follow-ups - Shark whether or not to check out this show should In The Dark! and Shark In The Park On A definitely grasp the nettle. Windy Day!. All three stories are featured in For those unfamiliar with the book, it tells this highly rated stage show. the tale of how Mr Spud made and lost his billions, and how his son, Joe, became the richest boy in the world. Oi Frog & Friends! Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 10 - Mon 13 April; Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever Lichfield Garrick, Sat 13 - Sun 14 June Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 7 - Thurs 9 Fifty-five minutes of frog-focused fun is the April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 18 & name of the game when this lively stage Sun 19 April; Palace Theatre, Redditch, Wed adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field’s 24 & Thurs 25 June; The Place, Telford, Wed 16 & Thurs 17 September bestselling series of picture books stops off in Birmingham. Expect ‘songs, puppets, laughs If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the and more rhymes than you can shake a previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and chime at’, as a new day at Sittingbottom enjoyed the experience of watching them school dawns... having a fantastic time - you’ll already know
whatsonlive.co.uk Dance April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:18 Page 2
Dance previews from around the region Dance
Balletboyz: Deluxe Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 9 April; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 13 May Fresh and inventive, the all-male Balletboyz company combine muscle with grace to present a distinctive style which fuses energetic dance with music and film. This year celebrating their 20th anniversary, the company has performed their work more than 400 times around the UK and in 13 countries across the world, with more than 350,000 people having seen at least one of their productions. The ensemble this month return to the Midlands with a brand new show that features work by some of the world’s most innovative choreographers. “Deluxe is going to be a night of entertaining and thought-provoking theatre that’s been 20 years in the making,” say Balletboyz Artistic Directors Michael Nunn and William Trevitt. “The beauty of our job has always been about finding and pursuing extraordinary talent and sharing that with as many people as we can. It really is that simple.”
BalletLorent: The Lost Happy Endings Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 & Sat 25 April Joanna Lumley narrates this family- The Newcastle-upon-Tyne company was friendly show, performed by set up 27 years ago by choreographer Liv award-winning dance-theatre ensemble Lorent. BalletLorent. “I liked the magic, the mystery and the A story by the former Poet Laureate, Dame fairytale aspects of classical ballet very Carol Ann Duffy, The Lost Happy Endings much,” says Liv, “but what I wasn’t so tells the tale of a forest-dwelling girl who, keen on was the amount of men in tights Lewys Holt: Phrases charged with guarding the happy endings and crowns, or the strange mime gestures & Footnotes to stories and fairytales, finds herself that were us ed to communicate narrative. Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Thurs 23 April having to rewrite them after they’re stolen “What I wanted more than anything was to by a wicked witch... perform work that would mean audiences “While focusing on and loving dance,” says The Lost Happy Endings is the latest in came out of the theatre feeling differently Lewys Holt, “my practice also tends to include BalletLorent’s line of innovative family to when they’d gone in. Like when you go things that look more like stand-up comedy, shows featuring diverse casts. to see a great movie.” storytelling or acting. The two shows I’m performing in Wolverhampton, Phrases and Footnotes, are solo contemporary dance works that fuse text, humour and improvisation. They Bollywood Divas Birmingham Hippodrome, Sat 4 April are a subtle exploration of our innate need for connection and fear of loneliness.” The leading ladies of Indian cinema - or glitzy productions boasting stunning Bollywood, as it’s otherwise known - are visuals and breathtaking choreography. the subject of this special tribute show by “The stage has always felt like home,” says trend-setting choreographer, designer and Shiamak, who is known as ‘the guru of singer Shiamak Davar - a man whose CV contemporary dance’ in India. “Getting an includes choreographing the dance instant response from a live audience is a sequences for the 2011 Tom Cruise movie, real rush - a completely different feeling Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. from cinema. There’s something magical Shiamak has scored hits with previous about creating movements using the entire shows Spirit Of India and Spirit Of stage, using sets and props. As such, the Bollywood, so is well-versed in mounting stage will always be my first love.”
whatsonlive.co.uk Film April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:50 Page 1
Film
The New Mutants CERT 12a Starring Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Alice Braga, Blu Hunt Directed by Josh Boone (USA) After the Endgame… the new mutants. These young super- beings are locked up in a secret facility and, having discovered their nascent powers, they want out… Based on the Marvel comic. Released Wed 8 April
EDITOR’S CHOICE
The Assistant CERT 15 (87 mins) Starring Julia Garner, Matthew Macfadyen, Kristine Froseth, Makenzie Leigh, Noah Robbins, Dagmara Domi czyk Directed by Kitty Green (USA)ń Probably the first of many new dramas investigating abuse in the workplace, this one focuses on a junior assistant working for a film production mogul. Coincidentally, the film’s exteriors were shot outside the Tribeca building in Manhattan wh ere one Harvey Weinstein used to work… Released Fri 3 April Four Kids And It come across a grumpy sand fairy (voiced CERT 15 (94 mins) by Michael Caine) that can bestow them Carmilla CERT PG (110 mins) with one wish a day. Lovers of children's Starring Jessica Raine, Hannah Rae, Devrim Starring Paula Patton, Russell Brand, Lingnau, Tobias Menzies, Greg Wise literature will know that Ms Wilson, in Matthew Goode, Cheryl, and the voice of Directed by Emily Harris (UK) Michael Caine turn, based her novel on E Nesbit's Five Directed by Andy De Emmony (UK) Children And It. Cheryl, formerly of Girls Based on the novel by Jacqueline Wilson, Aloud, apparently has a cameo. this family fantasy centres on a quartet of Released Fri 10 April children on holiday in Cornwall who
The Secret Garden CERT PG Starring Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Dixie Egerickx, Edan Hayhurst Directed by Marc Munden (UK) Sent to live with her strict uncle, young Mary Based on the 1871 Gothic novella by Sheridan Lennox (Egerickx) discovers a magical garden Le Fanu, Carmilla tells the story of a sexually on his Yorkshire estate. Based on the 1911 curious teenage girl (Hannah Rae) whose life novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the story is turned upside down with the arrival of a has been filmed three times before and on young woman recovering from a roadside several occasions for the small screen. accident. Released Fri 10 April Released Fri 3 April whatsonlive.co.uk Film April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:50 Page 2
Film highlights released in April...
Antlers CERT 15 (99 mins) Starring Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, Amy Madigan Directed by Scott Cooper (USA/Mexico/Canada)
The premise of a young boy harbouring a supernatural creature in a small Oregon town doesn’t sound promising. However, the director has an impressive track record, including the Oscar-winning Crazy Heart, Out Of The Furnace and the criminally underrated Hostiles. Released Fri 17 April KIDS PICK
quite subversive and entertaining. Now Trolls World Tour CERT PG Dream Horse CERT PG (113 mins) comes the sequel in which Poppy and Starring Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen With the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Branch discover there are other Troll Timberlake, James Corden, Ozzy Osbourne, Teale, Joanna Page tribes, all with their own specific taste in Directed by Euros Lyn (UK/USA) Rachel Bloom, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Rockwell Directed by Walt Dohrn (USA) music. Could their love of bubble-gum pop DreamWorks’ animated musical be threatened? resurrection of the gonk troll fad was not Released Wed 13 April as bad as people feared. In fact, it was
Finding The Way Back Our Ladies CERT 15 (105 mins) CERT 15 (108 mins) Starring Eve Austin, Tallulah Greive, Abigail Lawrie, Sally Messham, Rona Morison, Marli A Welsh bartender (Collette) decides to breed Starring Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Michaela Siu a race horse, with financial aid from her Watkins, Janina Gavankar Directed by Michael Caton-Jones (UK) Directed by Gavin O’Connor (USA) fellow villagers. Based on a true story. When a gaggle of Catholic school girls is Released Fri 17 April invited to Edinburgh to enrol in a choir competition, they see it as a chance to paint Promising Young Woman the town red… CERT PG (113 mins) Released Fri 24 April Starring Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Clancy Brown Directed by Emerald Fennell (USA) Cassie used to be promising, and then something happened. Time, then, for her to exact her revenge… Released Fri 17 April
A former baske tball player plagued by alcoholism is asked to coach his alma mater - and something extraordinary happens… Released Fri 24 April whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:24 Page 1
Visual Arts previews from around the region
Yhonnie Scarce Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Thurs 9 April - Sun 3 May “Some people don’t like my work; they find it too confronting,” says Australian Aboriginal glassblowing artist Yhonnie Scarce. “But if you don’t want to engage in this conversation, then the solution is simple - don’t look at my art. But that doesn’t mean it will go away.” Yhonnie, whose work explores the political nature and aesthetic qualities of glass, is undertaking a five-week residency at Ikon before presenting a new work in the venue’s Tower Room. “To define the strength of our culture, it may seem strange to use glass,” she says, “but it’s not as fragile as most people would think. Glass can be very strong, and in that way it reflects the resilience of our people. It is a creation that has been witness to our journey, and one that still continues today.”
whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts April.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 12:24 Page 2
Visual Arts
Cornwall As Crucible Barber Institute, University of Birmingham, until Sun 17 May This hugely popular exhibition takes as its inspiration the Barber’s recently acquired Constructivist sculpture - Russian artist Naum Gabo’s Linear Construction In Space No1. Cornwall As Crucible considers the relationships and networks that existed between artists who lived and worked in the county (and most particularly in St Ives) during the mid-20th century. Featuring works by, among others, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon and Sandra Blow, the installation examines the artists’ development of a visual language that explored the boundary between representation and abstraction. The show also investigates the impact which the distinctive Cornish landscape had on the work of the artists residing in the region.
Victoria & Albert: Our Lives In Watercolour Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Sunday 31 May Capturing the pomp and spectacle of the the art of watercolour painting. They built British court, the exploration and shaping up a collection of thousands of artworks of a modern nation, and a sense of the and often spent happy evenings together close-knit family at the centre of it all, organising their acquisitions into Victoria & Albert: Our Lives In Watercolour albums... is a touring exhibition from the Royal The exhibition is touring to mark the Collection. Throughout their marriage, bicentenary of the births of both Victoria Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were and Albert. enthusiastic patrons and practitioners of
Cranach: Artist And Innovator Compton Verney Art Gallery, Worcestershire, until Sun 4 June Lucas Cranach the Elder may be best known in modern times for his seductive paintings of the female nude, but back in Made At MAC: Painting his day - some 500 years ago - it was his paintings of German nobility and the Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 25 April - Mon 31 August leaders of the Protestant Reformation for which he was most admired. Professional artist-tutor Helen Tarr’s autumn This exhibition of work by one of the most 2019 project, The Scottish Colourists; Creating successful German artists of all time Impact With Colour, provided the inspiration features paintings and illustrations on for the paintings on display in this exhibition. loan from the National Gallery, the Royal Helen teaches Practical Visual Enquiry & Art In Collection, the British Museum and Context at Midlands Arts Centre, using her Waddesdon Manor. lessons to demystify the technical skills of The show also reflects on the enduring painting and drawing. appeal of Cranach, whose work has been Her Scottish Colourists project has seen her admired by a range of modern and students immersing themselves in an artistic contemporary artists, including Pablo exploration of colour, line and form across the Picasso. genres of landscape, portrait and still-life. whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 1
whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 2
Events previews from around the region Events
Alice in Easter Wonderland Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April The caverns of Dudley Canal Trust are set to become a magically decorated Easter wonderland this month. The Easter Bunny has teamed up with Alice, The Queen of Hearts and even The Mad Hatter to hide some giant eggs. Climb on board a boat and travel underground to find them, along the way enjoying Alice In Wonderland-themed scenes and sound & light shows. There’s the chance to win a ton of chocolate, too! Once you’ve finished your trip to Wonderland, enjoy a Tea Party with The Mad Hatter himself.
Zog & The Quest For a 3D activity trail being launched at Warwick Castle this month. The Golden Star Visitors can explore the trail around the castle Warwick Castle, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April and its grounds, meet Sir Gadabout, learn all Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much- the skills needed to become a fully fledged loved book about an accident-prone young dra gon, and enjoy a special meet-and-greet dragon named Zog provides the inspiration for with Zog himself.
Destination Space The Great Easter Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Mon 6 - Fri 17 April Dragon Egg Hunt Thinktank is celebrating all things ‘out of this Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, world’ this Easter. Sat 4 - Mon 13 April Fun activities include weekday family theatre A pesky dragon has hidden its shows and the chance to learn all about eggs in the grounds of Ludlow satellites - how to spot them, what their uses Castle, and the venue is asking are, and how they’re likely to be deployed in budding knights and princesses to the future. try and find them before they hatch and ca use havoc! There’s a trail map available to help with searching the castle’s nooks and crannies, and a special prize to enjoy at the end of it all. Animal Easter Trail RAF Museum, Cosford, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April Back for a second year, RAF Museum Cosford’s Animal Trail encourages families to make their way around the venue’s hangars in search of animal friends. Once the fun task has been completed, participants can hand over their trail sheets in exchange for a much-deserved chocolate prize.
whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 3 Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 4
Events previews from around the region Events
Easter Adventure Quest Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire; Stokesay Castle, Shropshire and Witley Court, Worcestershire, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April
Easter Holiday Activities including bird watching and orienteering - the venue will also be welcoming Peter Rabbit on English Heritage is inviting Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Wednesday the 15th for some special storytelling Mon 13 - Fri 17 April children to take part in a sessions . Bibbledy Bob, the garden’s resident ‘legendary quest’ at its Midlands Birmingham Botanical Gardens is hosting daily entertainer, will be in attendance a couple of activities for families to enjoy this Easter. properties this month. days beforehand, on Easter Monday, providing Intrepid adventurers and their As well as providing youngsters with the plenty of fun and laughter down on the main opportunity to sample a wide range of pursuits - families will need to crack a host lawn. of clues to track down dragon eggs hidden across the sitres - afte which they’ll be rewarded with a certificate and some yummy treats from Hotel Chocolat.
Easter Holidays at Compton Verney Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park, Warwickshire, Tues 7 - Sun 19 April There are family-friendly activities aplenty to enjoy at Compton Verney this month. Visitors to the popular venue can take on the Egg Drop Challenge, track down all the escaped animals from the Folk Art Collection in the Easter trail, get creative with a range of crafty activities, enjoy storytelling, play musical instruments and sample games inspired by nature in the Forest School.
Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Midlands. Explore muddy woodlands, colourful gardens various National Trust properties throughout and interesting nature trails at numerous NT the West Midlands sites, with a chocolatey Cadbury treat as a special The mischief-making Easter bunny has been at it reward to enjoy at the end of your adventure. again, hiding clues for a special Easter Egg hunt at National Trust locations throughout the whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 5
whatsonlive.co.uk Events April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 15:45 Page 6
Events previews from around the region Events
Medieval St George’s Day Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Sat 18 - Sun 19 April Avoncroft is set to delve into the legend of St George this month, as the War of the Roses Federation re-enactors take over the site for a whole weekend and bring history to life. As well as action-packed reenactments, the two-day event features storytelling, archery competitions, the chance to dress up as a knight or a 15th century soldier, a St George Mumming play, living-history camps and medieval drills & combat experiences.
Easter Holiday Activities Families can explore the venue with the Fix It family trail or join Mini factory characters British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Victor or Patsy for a daily tour. Sat 4 - Sun 26 April Other attractions include the chance to design British Motor Museum is set to go ‘Mini mad’ and make Minis in air drying clay workshops, this Easter, courtesy of a host of Mini-themed and a trad itional Easter egg hunt over the activities. Easter weekend - complete with a ‘Mini twist’!
Easter Extravaganza Cadbury World, Bournville, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April Easter Holidays What better way to celebrate Easter than by at Severn Valley visiting Cadbury World? Railway Popular Cadbury characters Freddo and Caramel Severn Valley Railway, Bunny present their new live stage show every Sat 4 - Sun 19 April day during the holiday - while over the Easter Severn Valley Railway brings the weekend itself, children can check out the Easter golden age of steam to life this egg trail or try their hand at making an Easter Easter holiday - including the bonnet. Or both! reintroduction of trains from Kidderminster. Easter at Shakespeare On Saturday the 4th, to celebrate the grand reopening of the Loop Birthplace Trust Line from Kidderminster to Shakespeare’s Family Homes, Stratford-upon- Bewdley, visitors are invited to Avon, Sat 4 - Sun 19 April head back to the Victorian era There’s plenty for youngsters to enjoy at courtesy of a host of activities Shakespeare’s Family Homes this Easter. along the line. Attractions include a family marquee at Anne Other attractions include a brand Hathaway’s Cottage - complete with a selection of new exhibition at The Engine crafts based on some of Shakespeare’s most House - telling the story of the popular plays - and an outdoor Sprites’ Camp at railway between the 1870s and the Shakespeare’s Birthplace site (hosted by Puck 1950s - and the chance to from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ariel from participate in a special Easter egg The Tempest!). trail. whatsonlive.co.uk Rook&Bone.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 13:03 Page 1 The List Cover April Wolves/Shrops/Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 17:15 Page 1
YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week listingslistings gguideuide AprilApril 20202020 thelist
Sarah McQuaid at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre - Sun 19 April
Music I Comedy I Theatre I Dance I Film I Events I Visual Arts I and more! What’s On Wed 1 - Sun 12 April Mon 13 to Sun 19 April Mon 20 to Sun 26 April Mon 27 to Thurs 30 April
Your Toys at The Brewhouse Mischief and Mystery in St George’s Day Celebrations Sari Schorr at Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent Moominvalley at Arena Theatre at Tamworth Castle The Robin, Bilston Sat 11 April Sat 18 April Sat 25 April Wed 29 April
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:05 Page 1 thelist THROUGHOUT APR Gigs Bantock House Museum times of difficulty and conflict, until DIGDAT Wed 1 Apr, O2 Sun 19 Apr Institute, Birmingham NEW: THE HOGARTH PUPPETS Exhibition looking at Britain’s best- KAPOW! Exhibition exploring the IRISH SESSION Wed 1 known puppet company, most influence on art and design of Apr, Katie Fitzgeralds, famous for its 1950s’ children’s TV cartoon and comic-book Stourbridge star, Muffin the Mule, Tues 7 Apr - superheroes, super heroines and THE ROSELLYS PLUS Sun 28 June super villains, until Sun 27 Sep FRAGILE HEARTS Wed 1 Apr, The Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham Birmingham Museum & Shropshire Hills Discovery Art Gallery Centre, Craven Arms SEED ENSEMBLE Wed 1 Apr, Hare & Hounds, NEW: KIRSTY GIBBS – LOCAL WHITWORTH WALLIS ARTIST IN Birmingham RESIDENCE: LEANNE O'CONNOR LANDSCAPES AND FLORA Mixed-media Leanne's work responds to the exhibition of work inspired by the BARS AND MELODY Thurs 2 Apr, O2 stained-glass and metalwork county of Shropshire, until Tues 21 Academy, Birmingham collection held within the Industrial Apr gallery, the Museum Collections NEW: MATT JENNESON Exhibition of TANKUS THE HENGE Centre and Community History & work focusing mainly on the texture Thurs 2 Apr, The Roachford - O2 Academy, Birmingham Archives Service in Smethwick, until and colour of our surroundings, with Robin, Bilston Mon 1 June the intention of achieving a level of BAD TOUCH Thurs 2 SEAN GAFFNEY BAND Fri JOE BROWN IN CONCERT 3 Apr, Albert’s Shed, - 60TH ANNIVERSARY DRESSED TO THE NINES Exhibition abstraction, until Tues 21 Apr Apr, KK Steele Mill, Shrewsbury TOUR Sat 4 Apr, about dressing up and going out, Wolverhampton BIG O’ AND THE Birmingham Town Hall from around 1850 to the present day, Twenty Twenty Gallery, THE SOUND OF until Fri 4 Sept SPRINGSTEIN Thurs 2 TRAVELLING WILBURYS HATS OFF TO LED Ludlow Fri 3 Apr, Brierley Hill ZEPPELIN Sat 4 Apr, BIRMINGHAM REVOLUTIONS - POWER TO Apr, Theatre Severn, NEW: ZOË TAYLOR & SHARON GRIFFIN Civic Hall Theatre Severn, THE PEOPLE Display exploring Shrewsbury Exhibition featuring Zoë’s painted Shrewsbury Birmingham’s vibrant and varied EMO DISCO - THE BLACK landscapes and Sharon’s ceramic ORCHARDS Thurs 2 Apr, history of protest and activism, until PARADE Fri 3 Apr, Hare SUPREME QUEEN Sat 4 sculptures, Sat 11 Apr - Sat 9 May Hare & Hounds, Fri 4 Sept Birmingham & Hounds, Apr, Walsall Arena & Birmingham Arts Centre WEBSTER AND HORSFALL: 300 YEARS OF BIG HEATH Fri 3 Apr, O2 INNOVATION Archive material, Weston Park Institute, B’ham THE LOTTERY WINNERS WHITESNAKES JOURNEY watercolour paintings and objects Fri 3 Apr, The Castle & Sat 4 Apr, Eleven, NEW: THE SOCIETY OF EQUESTRIAN DIRTY VERTEBRAE Fri 3 from the museum’s Science & Falcon, Birmingham Sandyford, Stoke-on- ARTISTS EXHIBITION Mixed media Apr, Katie Fitzgeralds, Industry collection are here Trent show featuring 100-plus artworks Stourbridge THE ELO TRIBUTE SHOW combined to tell the story of Webster covering most equestrian sports and Fri 3 Apr, Stafford CUSTARD CONNECTION & Horsfall, until Sun 4 Oct subjects, Thurs 2 - Tues 28 Apr SUFFER Fri 3 Apr, KK Gatehouse Theatre Sat 4 Apr, Albert’s Steele Mill, Shed, Southwater Wolverhampton THE HARA + SPECIAL New Art Gallery - Walsall Wolverhampton Art Gallery GUESTS Fri 3 Apr, The THE BAR-STEWARD TEENAGE WEREWOLVES - Sugarmill, Stoke-on- SONS OF VAL DOONICAN TOO RICH A SOIL Exhibition by three MEERA SYAL: COMING HOME Meera NUTABT MOVEMENT Fri 3 Trent Sat 4 Apr, The Hive, photographers presenting new work Syal by photographer Jason Bell - on Apr, The Slade Rooms, Shrewsbury focused around portraiture, culture loan from the National Portrait Wolverhampton SIMON JAMES, EMILIA and female identity, until Sun 19 Apr Gallery, London, until Sun 5 Apr QUINN, DONNA MARIE SWEAT Sat 4 Apr, Hare TEKNO DISCO X VOYAGE: AND EMMA MOORE Fri 3 & Hounds, SARAH TAYLOR SILVERWOOD - KATHLEEN WOLVERHAMPTON AND ME Installation HARE & HOUNDS Apr, Ludlow Brewery Birmingham AND SALLY SERIES Body of drawings using the story of the Mayor of TAKEOVER Fri 3 Apr, Compan y, Shropshire based on text and images abstracted Wolverhampton’s family history to Hare & Hounds, HOUSEJAMMERZ Sat 4 from photographs, letters and reflect on the wider history of the city Birmingham RYAN JARVIS + BEHIND Apr, Albert’s Shed, documents relating to the two THE MOON Fri 3 Apr, Shrewsbury and its people, until Sun 5 Apr LOVE DISTRACTION Fri 3 creators and donors of the Garman Albert’s Shed, NEW: PHOEBE CUMMINGS: THIS WAS Apr, The Robin, Bilston JEFFREY FOUCALT Sat 4 Ryan Collection, Kathleen Epstein Southwater, Telford NOW Phoebe contemplates ceramics Apr, Foxlowe Arts (née Garman) and Sally Ryan, until NIRVANA UK Fri 3 Apr, as a time-based medium, until Sun ELTON JOHN - 50 YEARS Centre, Staffordshire Sun 7 June The River Rooms, OF YOUR SONG Fri 3 31 May Stourbridge AND FINALLY... PHIL NEW: 20 FOR 2020 Exhibition of work Apr, Symphony Hall, COLLINS Sat 4 Apr, by 20 artists, one to represent each MICHAEL STARRING BEN Birmingham Lichfield Garrick year since The New Art Gallery Other VISUAL ARTS Fri 3 Apr, The Place, SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA CARIBOU Sun 5 Apr, O2 opened, until Sun 5 July Telford PAINTING WITH WORDS 2020 Open Fri 3 Apr, O2 Institute, Academy, Birmingham exhibition celebrating the influence ELO ENCOUNTER Fri 3 Birmingham and inspiration of literature and Apr, Eleven, HENGE Sun 5 Apr, Himley Hall & Park, Dudley ROACHFORD Sat 4 Apr, Albert’s Shed, language on the visual arts, until Sat Sandyford, Stoke-on- O2 Academy, B’ham NEW: BIRMINGHAM WATERCOLOUR: 2 May, The Willow Gallery, Oswestry Trent Southwater ANNUAL SPRING EXHIBITION Exhibition THE RAT PACK IS BACK NEW: YVETTE APPLEBY Diverse MERSEY BEATLES Fri 3 GUTTERSNIPE Sun 5 of work using water- based media, Sat Sat 4 Apr, Theatre On exhibition of work using found Apr, Prince Of Wales Apr, Albert’s Shed, 4 Apr - Sun 28 June The Steps, Bridgnorth objects to create magical scenes, Centre, Cannock Shrewsbury Tues 14 Apr - Fri 22 May, Gallery3, THE SKA45S Sat 4 Apr, GILBERT O’SULLIVAN YOU WIN AGAIN - THE The Robin, Bilston Potteries Museum & Art Shrewsbury BEE GEES TRIBUTE Fri 3 Sun 5 Apr, Birmingham Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent NEW: IMPETUS Exhibition of work by Apr, Lichfield Garrick PROPHE C Sat 4 Apr, O2 Town Hall Institute, B’ham PDSA DICKIN MEDAL: EXTRAORDINARY The Society of Staffordshire Artists, SOUNDS OF THE SIRENS YES PLEASE - AN ANIMALS IN ACTION Celebration of the Wed 29 Apr - Fri 29 May, Keele + SAMANTICS Fri 3 Apr, ROCKFEST 2020 Sat 4 EVENING OF CLASSIC animal heroes who displayed University, Staffordshire Dead Wax, Apr, KK Steele Mill, YES Sun 5 Apr, The outstanding devotion and heroism in Birmingham Wolverhampton Robin, Bilston whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:05 Page 2
Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 April
ORCHESTRA CHAMBER ENSEMBLE Classical & Featuring Keith Slade (conductor). Programme includes works by Mozart, Stravinsky, Schoenberg & Easy Listening Copland, Sun 5 Apr, University of KATHY CHOW IN RECITAL Programme Birmingham includes works by Beethoven, RUSSELL WATSON Sun 5 Apr, Schumann, Debussy, Chopin & Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Prokofiev, Wed 1 Apr, Birmingham THE OPERA BOYS Town Hall Sun 5 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury CBSO: STRAVINSKY’S PULCINELLA Featuring Kazuki Yamada A BRAHMS & SCHUMANN EXPERIENCE (conductor), Alban Gerhardt (cello), Featuring Richard Jenkinson (cello) & Marta Fontanals-Simmons (mezzo Benjamin Frith (piano), Sun 5 Apr, soprano), James Way (tenor) & The Gateway, Shrewsbury Antoin Herrera-Lopez Kessel (bass). RODERICK WILLIAMS IN RECITAL Also Programme includes works by Fauré, featuring Iain Burnside (piano). Julian Anderson & Stravinsky, Thurs Programme includes works by 2 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Butterworth, Rhian Samuel, John SENIOR CITIZENS ORCHESTRA CONCERT Ireland & Roderick Williams, Sun 5 Thurs 2 Apr, Walsall Arena Apr, St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, South Shropshire FOSTER AND ALLEN Thurs 2 Apr, Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock BACH @ BART’S 6 Featuring Gary Cole (organ), Sun 5 Apr, St Bartholomew’s Tartuffe CBSO STRING QUINTET Programme Church, Penn, Wolverhampton includes works by Monti, Bach, The REP, Birmingham, Fri 20 March - Sat 4 Apr Strauss & Sousa, Thurs 2 Apr, CBSO Transferring the action of Moliere’s famous comedy from the 17th Centre, Birmingham century to 21st-century Birmingham, Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto TOBY SPENCE IN RECITAL Also featuring Comedy - the writing team who’ve updated the play - have made the title Michael Trainor (violin) & Iain character a Muslim cleric and turned the full glare of their Burnside (piano). Programme RUSSELL KANE Wed 1 Apr, Stafford includes works by Tippett, Finzi, Gatehouse Theatre spotlight on the contemporary British Muslim experience. Britten & Philip Lancaster, Fri 3 Apr, HENNING WEHN Thurs 2 Apr, Stafford Consistently funny and blessed with a vitality that wouldn’t have St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, South Gatehouse Theatre been possible without the modern-day makeover, Tartuffe is alive Shropshire RO MESH RANGANATHAN Thurs 2 Apr, with contemporary references, hugely and joyously accessible, BIRMINGHAM BACH CHOIR EASTER Birmingham Hippodrome cleverly punctuated by humorous interaction with the audience CONCERT Featuring Paul Spicer and chock-a-block with engaging performances. (conductor). Programme includes works by Vaughan Williams, Leighton, Walton & Britten, Sat 4 Apr, Severn, Shrewsbury LADYKILLER Blood-soaked morality St Philips Cathedral, Birmingham BILL BAILEY, MIKE COX, SIMON LOMAS & tale about victimhood... Tues 31 Mar - SHREWSBURY SCHOOL COMMUNITY WAYNE BEESE Sat 4 Apr, Brierley Hill Thurs 2 Apr, The Old Joint Stock CHOIR: ST JOHN PASSION Featuring Civic Hall, Dudley Theatre, Birmingham John Moore (conductor). Programme JONNY AWSUM, MATT GREEN, DARIUS CABARET Award-winning production comprises JS Bach’s The St John DAVIES & JAMES ALDERSON Sat 4 Apr, of Kander & Ebb’s landmark musical. Passion, Sat 4 Apr, Shrewsbury The Comedy Loft, Birmingham John Partridge, Kara Lily Hayworth & Abbey Anita Harris star, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 SIMON BRODKIN Sun 5 Apr, The Old PIATTI QUARTET Featuring Nathaniel Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Rep Theatre, Birmingham Anderson-Frank (violin), Michael HANGMEN Stoke Rep Players present BRENDAN RILEY, KATY TREV, JON Trainor (violin), Tetsuumi Nagata an amateur staging of Martin PEARSON & DAN SMITH Thurs 2 Apr, (viola) & Jessie Ann Richardson McDonagh’s dark drama, Tues 31 Stourbridge Town Hall (cello). Programme includes works Theatre Mar - Sat 4 Apr, Stoke Repertory by Purcell, Turnage & Elgar, Sat 4 BEN NORRIS, GARY DELANEY, JOSH Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Apr, St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow, PUGH & LUCY FREDERICK Thurs 2 Apr, TARTUFFE Brummie comedy about CURTAINS Jason Manford stars in a South Shropshire The George Hotel, Lichfield faith, family & #fakingit, until Sat 4 Apr, The REP, Birmingham whodunnit featuring ‘catchy songs, HALESOWEN ORCHESTRA: JOAQUÍN DANA ALEXANDER, GARY LITTLE & unforgettable characters and plot RODRIGO FANTASIA FOR GUITAR COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY THE HIGH TABLE Temi Wilkey’s debut twists’, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, Featuring Christopher Hoggarth ROBINSON Thurs 2, The Glee Club, play - ‘a heartbreaking family drama Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (conductor). Programme includes Birmingham played out between the heavens and THE WOMAN IN BLACK Stage works by Mendelssohn, McCunn, earth’, until Thurs 9 Apr, The REP, CHRIS RAMSEY Fri 3 Apr, Dudley Town adaptation of one of the world's most Rodrigo & Beethoven, Sat 4 Apr, Birmingham Hall chilling tales, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, Halesowen Cornbow Hall THE WINTER'S TALE New production PETE FIRMAN & THE AMAZING TBC Fri 3 The Alexandra, Birmingham THE MOON AND I World premiere of which imagines ‘a world where the Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury CHICAGO Amateur production of the Rhian Samuel’s new composition ghosts of fascist Europe collide with award-winning musical, presented by featuring Nardus Williams (soprano), BILL BAILEY, MIKE COX, SIMON LOMAS & the horrors of The Handmaid’s Tale, Tab Operatic Society, Tues 31 Mar - Claire-Barnett-Jones (mezzo WAYNE BEESE Fri 3 Apr, Sutton before washing up on a joyful Sat 4 Apr, Stourbridge Town Hall soprano), Tetsuumi Nagata (viola) & Coldfield Town Hall seashore’, until Fri 2 Oct, Royal Gamal Khamis (piano). Programme TAT VISION II Fri 3 Apr, The Glee Club, Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- MURDER, MARGARET AND ME ‘Humour, includes works by Howells, Bridge, Birmingham upon-Avon thrills, sleuthing and pathos’ combine, Tues 31 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, Lee Holby, Rhian Samuel & Liza DANA ALEXANDER, GARY LITTLE, JOHN HEROES The Nonentities present The Blue Orange Theatre, Lehmann, Sat 4 Apr, St Laurence’s LYNN & TOM LUCY Fri 3 - Sat 4 Apr, Gerald Sibleyras’ French comedy, Birmingham Church, Ludlow, South Shropshire The Glee Club, Birmingham Mon 30 Mar - Sat 4 Apr, The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster THE MERCHANT OF VENICE BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC CHRIS RAMSEY Sat 4 Apr, Theatre
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:05 Page 3
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 1 - 5 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:05 Page 4
thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 April Collaboration between Nottingham version of one of the greatest ballets THE SECRET GARDEN (PG) dinosaur... Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, Park Playhouse & Nottingham Lakeside of all time, Wed 1 Apr, Prince Of THE NEW MUTANTS (12a) Hall Farm, Oswestry Arts, Wed 1 Apr, Midlands Arts Wales Centre, Cannock CRACKING EASTER Follow the activity Centre, B’ham HAVANA NIGHTS A mix of Latin dances, trail around the historic village, Sat 4 - FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD A with individual performances from Sun 19 Apr, Black Country Living Shropshire Youth Theatre production, Strictly’s Graziano Di Prima, Fri 3 Apr, Events Museum, Dudley Wed 1 - Thurs 2 Apr, Theatre Severn, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ANIMAL EASTER TRAIL Venture around Shrewsbury TROLL-TASTIC ADVENTURE Get ready BOLLYWOOD DIVAS Show paying for Trolls World Tour!, until Sun 10 the museum hangars and help find ANGRY BIRDS Young Rep Seniors tribute to the leading ladies of May, Legoland Discovery Centre, the venue's animal friends, Sat 4 - present a new punk musical, Fri 3 - Bollywood - the world’s largest film Birmingham Sun 19 Apr, RAF Cosford, Shifnal, Sat 4 Apr, The REP, Birmingham industry, India, Sat 4 Apr, Birmingham Shropshire Hippodrome JAWSOME SHARKS The National Sea JEW...ISH Twisted millennial romcom Life Centre is looking for brave EASTER HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES Take a which poses the question that should HAVANA NIGHTS A mix of Latin dances, adventurers for a brand new quest journey back to 1945, Sat 4 - Sun 19 never be answered: is it ever okay to with individual performances from with the venue’s Professor Finn... Apr, National Memorial Arboretum, get back with your ex? Fri 3 - Sat 4 Strictly’s Graziano Di Prima, Sun 5 until Sun 10 May, National Sea Life Staffordshire Apr, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Apr, Lichfield Garrick Centre, Birmingham EASTER HOLIDAYS Work out the Easter Birmingham THE BODENHAM EASTER TRAIL Hunt for Bunny's riddles to find the missing ERIC’S FULL MONTY The latest the Easter Bunny's carrots before Easter eggs, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, installment in the life of Eric, collecting a treat from the Visitor Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr complete with ‘60s music, Fri 3 - Sat Film Centre, Wed 1 - Sun 19 Apr, Kidderminster 18 Apr, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Bodenham Arboretum, Kidderminster EGG HUNT Help Ruby the Castle under-Lyme TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG (18) ALICE IN EASTER WONDERLAND Travel Dragon and her brother find the MRS KAPOOR’S DAUGHTER’S WEDDING Biography/Crime. Starring George underground through the magically hidden eggs, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, Bollywood-style show, complete with MacKay, Essie Davis. Light House decorated Easter Wonderland, Wed 1 Tamworth Castle dancing, singing and comedy, Sun 5 Media Centre, Wolverhamp ton, Fri 27 - Sun 19 Apr, Dudley Canal and EASTER HALF TERM Enjoy cargo nets, Apr, The Alexandra, Birmingham Mar - Thurs 2 Apr; Stoke Film Tunnel Trust zip wires, log swings and ground- Theatre, Fri 3 - Sat 4 Apr ENGINUITY EXPLORERS Explore the level trampolines, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, RADIOACTIVE (12a) Biography/Drama. contents of Mr Darby's Magical Box Weston Park, Nr Shifnal Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Rosamund of Science Secrets, Fri 3 Apr, EASTER ADVENTURE QUEST Crack the Kids Shows Pike. Light House Media Centre, Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge clues as you and your family follow Wolverhampton, Fri 27 Mar - Thurs 2 SARAH & DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRT HDAY THE GREAT EASTER DRAGON EGG HUNT the trail, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, Stokesay Puppetry, storytelling & music Apr; Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri Castle, Nr Craven Arms, Shropshire 27 Mar - Thurs 2 Apr Egg hunters at the ready for a fun combine in a production based on search... Sat 4 - Mon 13 Apr, Ludlow EASTER HOLIDAY FUN Featuring fun, the BAFTA-winning CBeebies show, THE ELEPHANT MAN (PG) Castle, Shropshire creative activities, factory tours, half- Sat 4 - Mon 6 Apr, Midlands Arts Biography/Drama. Starring John EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA price children's meals and nature Centre, Birmingham Hurt, Anthony Hopkins. Light House Easter fun on the farm, including animal egg trails, Sat 4 - Sun 19 Apr, World of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Hiccup Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Sun Wedgwood, Stoke-on-Trent 29 Mar treasure hunt, the Easter Eggspress Theatre fuse puppetry & storytelling and the Easter bunny, Sat 4 - Fri 17 EASTER LADYBIRD TRAIL Hunt high and in a brand new version of the classic THE GOOD LIAR (15) Crime/Drama. Apr, National Forest Adventure Farm, low for the Ladybirds who’ve made children’s tale, Sun 5 Apr, The Starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen. Burton-upon-Trent Powis their home this Easter, Sat 4 - Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA Mon 20 Apr, Powis Castle and Trent North Shropshire, Mon 30 Mar The Easter Bunny comes to the farm, Sat 4 - Sun Garden, Welshpool PARASITE (15) Drama. Starring Kang- 19 Apr, Park Hall Farm, Oswestry, FAIRY-TALE CRAFT: JACK AND THE ho Song, Yeo-jeong Jo. Foreign North Shropshire BEANSTALK Craft your own beanstalk language, subtitled. Festival Drayton DINOSAUR EGG HUNT Search the farm pot and grow it to the castle in the Cabaret Centre, Market Drayton, North sky, Sun 5 Apr, Soho House, B’ham Shropshire, Mon 30 Mar for magical eggs - but beware the A BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT Variety show featuring vocal & comedy duo PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (15) Dandy, comedian Ollie Spencer and Drama/Romance. Starring Noémie musician Joe Thomas. Original Merlant, Adèle Haenel. Foreign Fizzog Emma Rollason pays tribute language, subtitled. Stoke Film to Black Country comedienne Dolly Theatre, Thurs 2 Apr; Old Market Allen, Thurs 2 Apr, Lichfield Garrick Hall, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 - Tues 7 Apr JAMES PHELAN - MINDBLOWN! James EMMA (U) Comedy/Drama. Starring presents a unique magical prank Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn. show, Sat 4 Apr, Festival Drayton Festival Drayton Centre, Market Centre, Market Drayton, North Drayton, North Shropshire, Fri 3 & Shropshire Mon 6 Apr BOX OF FROGS IMPROV COMEDY HAPPY AS LAZARRO (15) Evening of high-octane improvised Drama/Fantasy. Starring Adriano comedy, Sat 4 Apr, SpArC Theatre, Tardiolo, Agnese Graziani. Foreign Bishops Castle, Shropshire language, subtitled. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 3 Apr AN EVENING OF PSYCHIC CONNECTIONS: PART 3 With medium Karen Archer, Sat 4 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Birmingham Released from Fri 3 Apr, showing at selected cinemas THE ASSISTANT (15) Dance CARMILLA (15) Easter Adventure Quest - Stokesay Castle, Craven Arms, Shropshire GISELLE Ballet Theatre UK presents its THE UNCERTAIN KINGDOM (15)
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:06 Page 1
COMING SOON
5 April, 11.30am & 1.30pm Hiccup Theatre with Derby Theatre: Little Red Riding Hood Tickets: £10/£36 family
6 April, 1.30pm Ditto Theatre: The Unexpected Adventures of Darwin The Chimp Tickets: £8
8 April, 2pm Land of Hope & Glory Over two hours of timeless nostalgia
Tickets: £12,/£10
11 April, 1.30pm Slot Machine Theatre: Your Toys
£10/£36 family
14 - 18 April, 7.30pm Saturday matinee 2.30pm Little Theatre Company: Rent
Tickets: £12/£11
22 April, 7.30pm Dougie Mackay - Supernatural: Mythic Tales from Scotland Tickets: £7.50
29 April, 7pm Vienna Festival Ballet: Swan Lake
Tickets: £18.50/£16.50
12 - 16 May, 7.30pm Saturday matinee 2.30pm Mellow Dramatics: The Fully Monty Tickets: £13/£11
22 May, 7.30pm Fairport Convention
Tickets: £26 Box office: 01283 508100 BOOK ONLINE AT www.brewhouse.co.uk Brewhouse Arts Centre Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent Staffordshire DE14 1AA
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:06 Page 2
thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 April iconic musical returns, Tues 7 - Sat Gigs Classical & 11 Apr, Lichfield Garrick LAND OF HOPE & GLORY Old-style SKENGDO X AM Mon 6 Easy Listening variety show to coincide with the April, O2 Institute, 75th anniversary of the end of the Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT: MUSIC Second World War, Wed 8 Apr, The LLOYD COLE Mon 6 FOR EASTER Featuring Thomas Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- April, Theatre Severn, Trotter (organ). Programme includes upon-Trent Shrewsbury works by J.S Bach, Handel, Brahms, HOW TO SAVE A LIFE ‘Hilarious and J.Dattas, R. Downes & Dupré, Mon 6 TRIPPIE REDD - LOVE ME heart-wrenching story’ of one Apr, Birmingham Town Hall MORE TOUR Tues 7 woman, one party and a cancer April, O2 Academy, AGNES OBEL IN CONCERT Mon 6 Apr, diagnosis, Wed 8 - Sat 11 Apr, The Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham LISTENING SESSIONS: LESLEY GARRETT Tues 7 Apr, Theatre HOWERD’S END New play about APRIL SHOWCASE Tues Severn, Shrewsbury comedian Frankie Howerd, Wed 8 - 7 April, Hare & EX CATHEDRA: GOOD FRIDAY ST JOHN Sun 12 Apr, The Old Joint Stock Hounds, Birmingham PASSION Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore Theatre, Birmingham EVERYONE YOU KNOW / (conductor), Fri 10 Apr, Symphony PARTNERS IN RHYME... Join Central MASTER PEACE Tues 7 Hall, Birmingham Youth Theatre as they take Pussycat Dolls - Arena Birmingham April, Hare & Hounds, inspiration from much-loved Birmingham Birmingham 11 April, Dead Wax, children’s authors to create rhyming poems and songs, Thurs 9 Apr, LIONEL - A TRIBUTE TO Birmingham ULTIMATE 40 Fri 10 Newhampton Arts Centre, LIONEL RICHIE Tues 7 Comedy April, The Robin, BLACK COUNTRY Wolverhampton April, Wolverhampton Bilston BEATLES Sat 11 April, TOM ROSENTHAL Mon 6 Apr, Stafford Grand Theatre The Robin, Bilston Gatehouse Theatre EUROPEANA New production which SUTTON SOUL CLUB Fri compresses 100 years of European JAMALI MADDIX Tues 7 10 April, Sutton WALK RIGHT BACK - THE SUSAN MURRAY, HARRIET DRYER & history into a fast-paced narrative, April, Henry Tudor Coldfield Town Hall STORY OF THE EVERLY CHRIS ARNOLD Mon 6 Apr, Albert's Thurs 9 Apr - Sat 25 July, Royal House, Shrewsbury RED RUM CLUB Fri 10 BROTHERS Sat 11 April, Shed Bar, Shrewsbury Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- EASTER SPECIAL FT. April, O2 Institute, Theatre Severn, JAMALI MADDIX Tues 7 Apr, Henry upon-Avon SASASAS Wed 8 April, Shrewsbury Birmingham Tudor House, Shrewsbury CARMEN Russian State Opera O2 Institute, B’ham ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN Fri WEEKENDERS Sat 11 DOM JOLY Wed 8 Apr, Stourbridge present Bizet's tale of passion, PUSSYCAT DOLLS Wed 10 April, The April, Albert’s Shed, Town Hall jealousy & violence. Sung in French 8 April, Arena Southwater, Telford Buttermarket, TOM ROSENTHAL Wed 8 Apr, Midlands with English surtitles, Fri 10 Apr, Birmingham Shrewsbury DIE DAS DER PRESENT Arts Centre, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre RUMOURS OF EASTER CLATTER-DAY GENE GENIE & THE THE MIGHTY KIDS BEATBOX COMEDY GREASE Presented by award-winning FLEETWOOD MAC Wed 8 Sat 11 April, Hare & LEMON SQUEEZERS Fri SHOW Wed 8 Apr, The Glee Club, theatre group Get Your Wigle On, Fri April, Theatre Severn, Hounds, Birmingham 10 April, The River Birmingham 10 - Sat 11 Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Rooms, Stourbridge BORN IN THE 80S Sat 11 Shrewsbury DOM JOLY Thurs 9 Apr, The Old Rep OYSTER 3 Wed 8 April, April, The River DREADZONE Fri 10 Theatre, Birmingham GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN New Birchmeadow Centre, April, Hare & Hounds, Rooms, Stourbridge show described as being ‘like an Broseley Birmingham THE UNDERCOVER HIPPY RACHEL FAIRBURN, MIKE WILMOT & episode of Loose Women but with a COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY NEW HOPE CLUB Thurs Sat 11 April, Albert’s lot more singing and dancing’, Fri 10 CARIBBEAN ROCKS Fri ROBINSON Thurs 9 Apr, The Glee 9 April, O2 Institute, Shed, Shrewsbury - Sat 11 Apr, Stafford Gatehouse 10 April, O2 Institute, Club, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham THE RADIAT ORS Sat 11 Theatre RACHEL FAIRBURN, MIKE WILMOT, GEORGE MICHAEL - April, Katie MADAMA BUTTERFLY Russian State THE REGGULITES Fri 10 MICKY P KERR & ANDY ROBINSON Fri RANDALL BUTLER Thurs Fitzgeralds, Ballet presents its version of one of April, The Night Owl, 10 - Sat 11 Apr, The Glee Club, 9 April, The River Stourbridge the world’s most exotic operas, Sat Birmingham Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge THE RONALDOS Sat 11 11 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand BEAR V VIPERS + STEVE HARRIS, NICK DOODY, THOMAS Theatre FRED ZEPPELIN Thurs 9 April, Havana PANDA LASAGNE Fri 10 GREEN & DAVE LONGLEY Sat 11 Apr, April, The Robin, Republic, Shrewsbury WILDVIXEN’S BURLESQUE LEGEND’S April, Albert’s Shed, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Bilston Southwater, Telford DOMINO SUGAR Sat 11 EXTRAVAGANZA Featuring headliners GUZ KHAN, DALISO CHAPONDA, JOHN from across the globe, Sat 11 Apr, WOMAN LIKE ME, THE April, Albert’s Shed, DEEP LOVE FOUNDATION SIMMIT, SHABBA & JAY DROCH Sun 12 Crescent Theatre, Birmingham LITTLE MIX SHOW Thurs Shrewsbury Fri 10 April, Albert’s Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham 9 April, Brierley Hill Shed, Shrewsbury PRINCE OF JOBURG Sat Civic Hall LUST FOR LIFE Fri 10 11 April, The Slade RICK ASTLEY Thurs 9 April, Albert’s Shed, Rooms, W’hampton Kids Theatre April, Arena Southwater THE UB40 EXPERIENCE Theatre Birmingham Sat 11 April, Eleven, ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR Get Your HAND OF DIMES + THE UNEXPECTED ADVENTURES OF Wigle On take audiences on a FANTASTIC 80S PARTY: Sandyford, Stoke-on- SUPPORT Fri 10 April, DARWIN THE CHIMP Ditto Theatre magical journey through the rabbit EASTER THURSDAY Trent Eleven, Sandyford, Company fuse storytelling, puppetry hole, Mon 6 - Wed 8 Apr, Theatre SPECIAL Thurs 9 April, WORLD CLASH: THE END Stoke-on-Trent & movement to tell an original tale of Severn, Shrewsbury Hare & Hounds, THE SENSATIONAL 60S Sun 12 April, O2 friendship, family, and what it means Birmingham Academy, Birmingham RAPUNZEL: A TANGLED MUSICAL TALE EXPERIENCE Fri 10 to be home, Mon 6 Apr, The Immersion Theatre present a brand THE COVASETTES + ABBA - SWEDE DREAMZ April, The Alexandra, Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- new musical version of the classic OUTLINE + LOWER Sun 12 April, The River Birmingham upon-Trent family tale, Tues 7 Apr, The Old Rep LOVEDAY Thurs 9 April, Rooms, Stourbridge LIKE A STORM Sat 11 GUSH! Interactive pop-culture Theatre, Birmingham The Sunflower, 90’S SILENT DISCO Sun April, KK Steele Mill, extravaganza, Tues 7 Apr, Arena THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO Birmingham 12 April, The Actress & Wolverhampton Theatre, Wolverhampton SWALLOWED A FLY The People’s ALTOSTRATUS / IQ Fri 10 Bishop, Birmingham CUT GLASS KINGS Sat BLOOD BROTHERS Willy Russell’s Theatre Company bring one of the April, O2 Academy, whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:06 Page 3
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 6 - 12 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:06 Page 4
thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 April
world’s best-loved nursery rhymes to Wed 8 Apr, The Robin, Bilston Shropshire, Fri 10 - Sat 11 & Wed 15 DRAGON EGG HUNT Can you find the life, Tues 7 - Wed 8 Apr, Newhampton AN AUDIENCE WITH HARRY REDKNAPP Apr giant eggs hidden around the Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Join the I’m a Celebrity 2018 winner BACURAU (18) Action/Adventure. grounds? Wed 8 - Sun 12 Apr, MILKSHAKE LIVE! Starring Fireman as he shares stories from his football Starring Bárbara Colen, Thomas Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Sam, Noddy, Shimmer & Shine, and TV career, Thurs 9 Apr, Aquino. Foreign language, subtitled. Birmingham Digby Dragon, Wissper, Nella the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 9 Apr EASTER EGG BA SKET CRAFT ACTIVITY Princess Knight, the Floogals and THE SECRET GARDEN (tbc) Make and decorate your own Easter two Milkshake presenters, Thurs 9 Drama/Family. Starring Dixie basket, Thurs 9 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Apr, Prince of Wales Centre, Cannock Egerickx, Colin Firth. Old Market Hall, Birmingham ONCE UPON A PANTO Journey to a land Film Shrewsbury, Fri 10 - Thurs 23 Apr UNICORN DAY Featuring a unicorn far, far away with The Voice finalist INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: HERO (12a) War/Drama. Starring Jet makeover, a willow-weaving Lydia Lucy and Britain’s Got Talent SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (U) Li, Maggie Cheung. Foreign workshop and a mythical trail, Thurs semi-finalist Ricky K, Fri 10 - Sat 11 Comedy/Musical. Starring Gene langauge, subtitled. Midlands Arts 9 Apr, Aston Hall, Birmingham Apr, The Place, Telford Kelly, Donald O'Connor. Arena Centre, Birmingham, Sat 11 Apr TALL TALES: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK OI FROG & FRIENDS! Theatre for Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 6 Apr OFFICIAL SECRETS (15) FAMILY STORYTELLING TOUR Interactive younger audiences combining THE GOLDFINCH (15) Drama. Starring Biography/Crime. Starring Keira telling of ‘a brand new tall tale’, Fri 10 songs, puppetry, laughter ‘and more Ansel Elgort, Nicole Kidman. Knightley, Matt Smith. Ludlow Apr, Aston Hall, Birmingham rhymes than you can shake a chime Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 6 Apr Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, EASTER HOLIDAYS – EASTER COOKING at’, Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Birmingham Sat 11 Apr Make delicious Easter treats, such as Town Hall EASTER PARADE (U) Musical/Romance. Starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire. DOWNHILL (12a) Comedy/Drama. deviled chicks, cotton tail biscuits THE WIZARD OF OZ Join Dorothy, Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Mon 6 Starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Will and hot cross buns, Fri 10 Apr, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the cowardly Apr Ferrell. Midlands Arts Centre, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Lion as they journey through Oz to Birmingham, Sat 11, Mon 13 & Wed Craven Arms, South Shropshire meet the legendary Wizard, Sat 11 FROZEN II (U) Animation/Adventure. With the voices of Kristen Bell, Idina 15 Apr CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Fill your Apr, Prince of Wales Theatre, Easter with family fun, delicious Cannock Menzel. Shropshire Hills Discovery DAUGHTERS OF THE DUST (12a) Centre, Craven Arms, South Drama/History. Starring Cora Lee Cadbury treats, and eggciting egg KIDZ BOP WORLD TOUR Interactive Shropshire, Mon 6 Apr Day, Alva Rogers. Midlands Arts hunts, Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Attingham family-friendly concert experience, Park, Shrewsbury; Carding Mill Valley DOLITTLE (PG) Adventure/Comedy. Centre, Birmingham, Sun 12 Apr Sat 11 Apr, Symphony Hall, & The Shropshire Hills, Church Starring Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Birmingham MILITARY WIVES (12a) Comedy/Drama. Stretton, Nr Shrewsbury; Benthall Banderas. Wem Town Hall, North Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon YOUR TOYS Slot Machine Theatre Hall, Bro seley, Shropshire; Shropshire, Mon 6 - Tues 7 & Thurs 9 Horgan. Stoke Film Theatre, Fri 10 - Sunnycroft, Wellington, Shropshire; present a heartwarming story about Apr; Festival Drayton Centre, Market Sat 11 & Tues 14 Apr; Wem Town friends pulling together, Sat 11 Apr, Chirk Castle, Wrexham; Erddig Hall, Drayton, North Shropshire, Mon 6 Hall, North Shro pshire, Fri 10, Tues Wrexham; Powis Castle and Garden, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- Apr 14 & Thurs 16 Apr upon-Trent Welshpool, Powys; Dudmaston SUNSHINE ON LEITH (PG) Estate, Bridgnorth; Moseley Old Hall, Comedy/Musical. Starring Paul Wolverhampton; Wightwick Manor, Brannigan, George MacKay. Wem Wolverhampton Town Hall, North Shropshire, Mon 6 & Events EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA Featuring Fri 10 Apr EASTER HOLIDAYS - POND DIPPING bonnet competitions, an Easter egg THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (U) Explore an underwater world as you trail and the brand new Freddo & Animation/Adventure. With the voices dip oxbow ponds for mini beasts to Caramel Bunny live stage show, Fri of Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart. Walsall identify, Mon 6 - Fri 10 Apr, 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Cadbury World, Arena, Tues 7 Apr Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, Birmingham DARK WATERS (12a) Biography/Drama. Craven Arms, South Shropshire CR EATURE CREATIONS Design your Starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne DESTINATION SPACE - EASTER HOLIDAYS own creepy crawlies in the craft tent, Hathaway. Stoke Film Theatre, Tues 7 Blast off into space this Easter with Fri 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Shugborough Apr the latest Destination Space activities, Historic Working Estate, Stafford EOS: EASTER IN ART (12a) Mon 6 - Fri 17 Apr, Thinktank Science HAVE-A-GO ARCHERY Try your hand at Docume ntary. Directed by Phil Museum, Birmingham archery with a qualified instructor, Fri Grabsky. Old Market Hall, SPOTLIGHT TOURS FOR ALL Talks on a 10 - Mon 13 Apr, Shugborough Dance Shrewsbury, Tues 7 Apr range of themes designed to bring Historic Working Estate, Stafford MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE Kate Prince’s WOMAN AT WAR (12) Aston Hall to life, Tues 7 Apr, Aston THE GREAT EASTER EGG HUNT The new dance-theatre show fuses Adventure/Comedy. Starring Halldóra Hall, Birmingham Easter bunny has been to Weoley ‘exhilarating dance styles, dazzling Geirharðsdóttir, Jóhann Sigurðarson. EASTER BUNNY GROTTO Eggsplore the Castle! Can you find all of the hidden footwork and breathtaking Foreign language, subtitled. Walsall Easter woodland to find all of the eggs? Sat 11 Apr, Weoley Castle athleticism’ - all set to the music of Arena, Wed 8 Apr hidden eggs before meeting the Ruins, Birmingham Sting, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 Apr, TOY STORY 4 (U) Animation/Adventure. bunny himself in his burrow, Tues 7 - Birmingham Hippodrome LITTLE SKIPPERS - ALICE IN With the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Fri 10 Apr, The British Ironwork WONDERLAND Take on the playing Allen. Walsall Arena, Wed 8 Apr Centre, Oswestry, North Shropshire card hunt, make yourself some white THE GREAT BUSTER - A CELEBRATION (U) EASTER POTTERY PAINTING Choose rabbit ears and concoct a magical Talks Documentary/Biography. Starring from flowers, mini bottle ovens and potion, Sat 11 Apr, Dudley Canal and Buster Keaton, Peter Bogdanovich. special Easter-themed pieces made Tunnel Trust SOUNDS OF THE 70S WITH JOHNNIE Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Wed 8 - on site, Tues 7 - Sat 11 Apr, ASTON IN WONDERLAND: A FAIRY TALE WALKER Johnnie Walker takes his Thurs 9 Apr Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke- TAKEOVER Visit Aston Hall and meet long-running BBC Radio Two show on-Trent THE LION KING (PG) some of your favourite storybook out on the road, Wed 8 Apr, Animation/Adventure. With the voices LITTLE SKIPPERS - ALICE IN characters, Sun 12 Apr, Aston Hall, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre of Donald Glover, Beyoncé. Walsall WONDERLAND Take on the playing Birmingham THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SERIAL KILLERS Arena, Thurs 9 Apr card hunt, make yourself some white EASTER SUNDAY FUN Sun 12 Apr, Join expert forensics lecturer Jennifer rabbit ears and concoct a magical ONWARD (PG) Animation/Adventure. Birmingham Botanical Gardens Rees to explore one of forensic potion, Wed 8 - Thurs 9 Apr, Dudley With the voices of Tom Holland, Chris psychology’s most troubling topics, Canal and Tunnel Trust Pratt. Wem Town Hall, North whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 13 - 19 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:07 Page 1 thelist
DAN NIGHTINGALE, CATHERINE Gigs Classical & BOHART, NOEL JAMES & COMIC TBC Sat 18 Apr, The Glee Club, THE METEORS Mon 13 Easy Listening Birmingham April, The Robin, JOEL DOMMETT Sun 19 Apr, Theatre Bilston ELGAR’S PIANO QUINTET Featuring Severn, Shrewsbury KING KING Tues 14 April, Jonathan Martindale & Stefano TOMMY SANDHU, HYDE PANASER, Birmingham Town Hall Mengoli (violins), Christopher Yates SLIM & EMILY LLOYD-SAINI Sun 19 (viola). Kate Setterfield (cello) & MR BEN & THE BENS Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham Robert Markham (piano), Thurs 16 Tues 14 April, Hare & Apr, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham RUSSELL WATSON Thurs 16 Apr, SET IT OFF Wed 15 April, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury O2 Institute, B’ham Theatre CBSO: ELGAR’S THE DREAM OF HARRY STYLES Wed 15 PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT GERONTIUS Featuring Edward April, Arena B’ham Sarah McQuaid - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Strictly winner Joe McFadden, stars Gardner (conductor), Anna in a new production of the smash- HOW SWEET IT IS Wed SMOOVE &TURRELL: Hill Civic Hall Stéphany (mezzo soprano), Robert hit musical, Mon 13 - Sat 18 Apr, 15 April, STRATOS BLEU TOUR Fri PROBABLY ROY Sat 18 Murray (tenor) & James Platt Birmingham Hippodrome Wolverhampton Grand 17 April, Hare & April, Albert’s Shed, (bass), Thurs 16 - Sat 18 Apr, LA BOHÉME Brand new production Theatre Hounds, Birmingham Shrewsbury Symphony Hall, Birmingham of Puccini's romantic opera. Sung BOOMTOWN RATS Wed THE DOORS ALIV E Fri 17 THE MANFREDS Sat 18 SIBERIAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in Italian with English surtitles, Tues 15 April, Birmingham April, Eleven, April, Stafford Featuring Dmitry Vasiliev 14 Apr, The Alexandra, Birmingham Town Hall Sandyford, Stoke-on- Gatehouse Theatre (conductor), Freddy Kempf (piano). Trent FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY Hit SEVEN DRUNKEN NIGHTS- Programme includes works by Olga SUN RECORDS Sat 18 musical that lovingly lampoons the THE STORY OF THE THE OXLEY-MEIER GUITAR Viktorova, Rachmaninoff & April, Lichfield Garrick popular TV sitcom, Tues 14 Apr, DUBLINERS Wed 15 PROJECT Fri 17 April, Tchaikovsky, Fri 17 Apr, Symphony SONS OF CLOGGER Wolverhampton Grand Theatre April, Theatre Severn, Ludlow Assembly Sat Hall, Birmingham 18 April, Katie Shrewsbury Rooms, South THE SOUTH WALES MALE CHOIR: AIDA Russian State Opera present Shropshire Fitzgeralds, Verdi’s timeless & emotional opera. SEA GIRLS Thurs 16 SOUNDS OF WALES Also featuring Stourbridge Sung in Italian with English surtitles, April, O2 Institute, HEAVY BEAT BRASS BAND local singer/songwriter Emma LIFE I KNOW Tues 14 Apr, Theatre Severn, Birmingham Fri 17 April, Albert’s Sat 18 Linney & renowned poet Michael Shed, Southwater April, The Hive, Carding, Sat 18 Apr, Theatre Shrewsbury SNOOP DOG Thurs 16 Shrewsbury Severn, Shrewsbury FROZEN Psychological thriller about April, Arena B’ham MAGIC OF MOTOWN Fri 17 April, Stafford ELECTRICK LIVE retribution, remorse and THE LOST WORDS: SPELL Gatehouse Theatre ORCHESTRA Sat 18 April, redemption, Tues 14 - Sat 18 Apr, SONGS Thurs 16 April, The Robin, Bilston The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Town Hall BOXSTOCK FEATURING Comedy Birmingham HOLLOWBELLY UNREALBLOOD Sat 18 THE SIMON & Fri 17 April, The Slade April, Albert’s Shed, JOE LYCETT Mon 13 Apr, The Glee SOME MOTHERS DO ’AVE ’EM Joe GARFUNKEL STORY Rooms, Southwater, Telford Club, Birmingham Pasquale stars as the accident- Thurs 16 April, Wolverhampton BOXSTOCK FEATURING prone Frank Spencer, Tues 14 - Sat Wolverhampton Grand SIMON BRODKIN Tues 14 Apr, 18 Apr, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Theatre PRINCE PARTY Fri 17 THE DUSK BROTHERS Sat Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 18 April, The Slade Trent April, Hare & Hounds, PREACHER LAWSON Wed 15 Apr, The HARDLINE + SUPPORT Rooms, RENT Amateur staging of Jonathan Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham Thurs 16 April, Eleven, Wolverhampton Larson’s iconic musical, Tues 14 - Sandyford, Stoke-on- PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS RUSSELL KANE Fri 17 Apr, Dudley THE LANCASHIRE Sat 18 Apr, The Brewhouse Arts Trent PIGS PIGS PIGS Fri 17 Town Hall Centre, Burton-upon-Trent April, The Mill Digbeth HOTPOTS BEERHEMIAN THE GUITAR LEGENDS RHAPSODY TOUR Sat 18 CHRIS RAMSEY Fri 17 Apr, The CHAPLIN: BIRTH OF A TRAMP Arrows Thurs 16 April, The PHIL BEER BAND Fri 17 April, O2 Academy, Alexandra, Birmingham & Traps explore how one of the Robin, Bilston April, Theatre Severn, Birmingham KATIE ARNSTEIN Fri 17 Apr, Arena world’s most remarkable Shrewsbury TRISH CLOWES Thurs 16 JP COOPER Sat 18 April, Theatre, Wolverhampton performers spun personal tragedy April, The Gateway, JESS SILK ALBUM into universal comedy, Wed 15 Apr, O2 Academy, B’ham GARY DELANEY, STEVE HARRIS, Shrewsbury LAUNCH Fri 17 April, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham LINDSEY DAVIES & RYAN GOUGH Fri Katie Fitzgeralds, NICK HELM - PHOENIX MICHAEL SCHENKER FEST FROM THE FLAMES Sat 17 Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms SPONTANEOUS POTTER Entirely Thurs 16 April, KK Stourbridge improvised Harry Potter comedy 18 April, The Slade DAN NIGHTINGALE, CATHERINE Steele Mill, ONE NIGHT IN DUBLIN Fri play, Wed 15 Apr, Theatre Severn, Rooms, W’hampton BOHART, KANE BROWN & NOEL JAMES Wolverhampton 17 April, Walsall Arena Shrewsbury & Arts Centre SOUNDS OF WALES Sat Fri 17 Apr, The Glee Club, THE NIGHT CAFE Fri 17 18 April, Theatre Birmingham ME AND MY DOLL Romantic comedy April, O2 Academy, SOMEONE LIKE YOU (THE exploring the challenges, joys and Severn, Shrewsbury JOEL DOMMETT Sat 18 Apr, William Birmingham ADELE SONGBOOK) Fri 17 pitfalls of allowing yourself to be A BEAUTIFUL NOISE Sun Aston Hall, Wrexham THE DEAD FINKS & April, The Place, Telford vulnerable... Thurs 16 Apr, The Old 19 April, Lichfield ROSS NOBLE Sat 18 Apr, The Place, OCTOGOTH DOUBLE MARK LOCKHEART Fri 17 Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Garrick Telford, Shropshire HEADLINER Fri 17 April, April, Newhampton Arts MIDSUMMER Reform Theatre Route 44, Birmingham Centre, Wolverhampton KARNATAKA Sun 19 EDDY BRIMSON, KATIE TRACEY, OMID Company present a story of two April, The Robin, SINGH & DAMION LARKIN Sat 18 Apr, THE FIZZ Fri 17 April, DEFINITELY MIGHTBE VS thirtysomethings sitting in a bar Bilston Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Lichfield Garrick CHANGING MAN Fri 17 waiting for something to turn up... REBECCA LOEBE AND STEPHEN BAILEY, ELLIOT STEEL, STEVE Thurs 16 Apr, Arena Theatre, WHITE TYGER Fri 17 April, Sutton Coldfield EMILY MAE WINTERS Sun SHANYASKI & PETE OTWAY Sat 18 Wolverhampton April, The River Rooms, Town Hall 19 April, The Hive, Apr, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham THE WIZARD OF OZ Spring Stourbridge RAK-SU Sat 18 April, O2 Shrewsbury LOL COMEDY NIGHT Sat 18 Apr, Pantomime adaptation of L Frank FLEETWOOD BAC Fri 17 Academy, Birmingham SARAH MCQUAID Sun 19 Newhampton Arts Centre, Baum’s classic story, Thurs 16 - Fri April, The Robin, THROUGH THE DECADES April, Stafford Wolverhampton 17 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Bilston Sat 18 April, Brierley Gatehouse Theatre Birmingham
whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 13 - 19 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:07 Page 2
Monday 13 - Sunday 19 April
THE TEMPEST Amateur staging cabaret scene, Fri 17 Apr, Stafford THE GOOD LIAR (15) Crime/Drama. GRIMM FAIRYTALES AT SOHO Immersive presented by the Garrick Young REP Gatehouse Theatre Starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen. storytelling tour, Wed 15 - Thurs 16 Acting group, Thurs 16 - Sat 18 Apr, DITA VON TEESE: GLAMONATRIX 'Uber- Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Apr, Soho House, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick glamorous' burlesque show, Sat 18 Shropshire, Sat 18 Apr FAIRY-TALE CRAFT: LITTLE RED RIDING ROMEO & JULIET Shakespeare's iconic Apr, The Alexandra, Birmingham AND THEN WE DANCED (15) Drama. HOOD Help Little Red Riding Hood story of romantic woe is transported Starring Levan Gelbakhiani, Bachi make a basket to take to her from Verona to Birmingham, Thurs 16 Valishvili. Foreign language, subtitled. grandma’s, Wed 15 - Thurs 16 Apr, - Sat 25 Apr, The REP, Birmingham Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, Sun 19 Soho House, Birmingham SEXY LAMP Original songs and Dance Apr LITTLE SKIPPERS - ALICE IN storytelling combine to shed light on GISELLE Ballet Theatre UK presents its WONDERLAND Take on the playing how ridiculous the showbusiness version of one of the greatest ballets card hunt, make yourself some white industry can be..., Fri 17 Apr, Arena of all time, Thurs 16 Apr, Tamworth Events rabbit ears and concoct a magical Theatre, Wolverhampton Assembly Rooms potion, Wed 15 - Thurs 16 Apr, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust THE NOISE NEXT DOOR IN CHARGE ‘Side- REMEMBERING THE OSCARS Aljaz and BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY Explore the splitting, jaw-dropping, time-travelling Janette return with a brand new home of one of the world's most MADE IN BIRMINGHAM: BANNER MAKING adventure that's fun for literally show, Fri 17 Apr, Theatre Severn, revolutionary metal manufacturers, WORKSHOP Join Birmingham everyone’, Fri 17 Apr, Midlands Arts Shrewsbury Mon 13 Apr, Soho House, Repertory Theatre’s adult art group in Centre, Birmingham Birmingham creating banners for their Made In FLOWER CUTTERS Coming-of-age DINOSAUR FAMILY FUN RACEDAY Meet Birmingham performance over the thriller about friendship and betrayal, Zeus (Europe’s largest T-Rex), Easter Holidays, Thurs 16 Apr, Fri 17 - Sat 18 Apr, Patrick Studio, Film Triceratops, T-Rex and Raptor, chat to Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery Birmingham Hippodrome INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Cory the talking dinosaur, train to be CARNIVAL MASKS AND WINDMILLS a ranger and cuddle the baby CRAFT ACTIVITY Create a fabulous BLAKE: MOVIE & MUSICALS Sat 18 Apr, BAIT (15) Drama. Starring Edward The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham dinosaurs, Mon 13 Apr, carnival mask and windmill, inspired Rowe, Mary Woodvine. Stafford Wolverhampton Racecourse by the colours in the garden, Thurs MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2: CRUISING Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 14 Apr EASTER POTTERY PAINTING Choose 16 Apr, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham THROUGH MENOPAUSE! Sequel to the SONIC THE HEDGEHOG (PG) smash-hit show, Menopause The from flowers, mini bottle ovens and KIDS JEWELLERY WORKSHOP Design Action/Adventure. Starring Ben special Easter-themed pieces made and create a bracelet or pendant, Musical, Sun 19 Apr, The Alexandra, Schwartz, James Marsden. Festival Birmingham on site, Mon 13 Apr, Gladstone Thurs 16 Apr, Museum of the Drayton Centre, Market Drayton, Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham North Shropshire, Tues 14 Apr EASTER HOLIDAYS - POND DIPPING FAMILY RAG RUG ANIMALS Learn FUNNY FACE (U) Comedy/Musical. Explore a fascinating underwater traditional techniques of rag rug Kids Shows Starring Audrey Hepburn, Fred world as you dip oxbow ponds for making, but with a modern twist, Astaire. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, mini beasts to identify, Mon 13 - Fri Thurs 16 Apr, Black Country Living SHARK IN THE PARK Family musical South Shropshire, Tues 14 Apr 17 Apr, Shropshire Hills Discovery Museum, Dudley based on Nick Sharratt’s popular THE CALL OF THE WILD (PG) Centre, Craven Arms, South SPRING STEAM GALA From the distant books, Tues 14 Apr, The Old Rep Adventure/Drama. Starring Harrison Shropshire Theatre, Birmingham clank of a goods train, to autotrains Ford, Omar Sy. Festival Drayton SPOTLIGHT TALKS FOR ALL Delve puffing back and forth, prepare to MR MEN & LITTLE MISS STAGE SHOW Centre, Market Drayton, North deeper into the history of the grand venture back in time, Thurs 16 - Sun Happyland bursts to life in a series of Shropshire, Tues 14 Apr old mansion, Tues 14 Apr, Aston Hall, 19 Apr, Severn Valley Railway, colourful and timeless stories told CALM WITH HORSES (15) Drama. Birmingham Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster through puppetry and music, Tues 14 Starring Ned Dennehy, Barry Apr, Tamworth Assembly Rooms POTTING SHED CRAFT ACTIVITY Create TALL TALES: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Keoghan. Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs your own plant pot using a range of FAMILY STORYTELLING TOUR MISCHIEF AND MYSTERY IN 16 Apr craft materials, Tues 14 Apr, Blakesley ‘Interactive telling of a brand new tall MOOMINVALLEY Based on the much- DAVID ATTENBOROUGH: A LIFE ON OUR Hall, Birmingham tale’, Fri 17 Apr, Aston Hall, loved Moominland novels by Tove PLANET (PG) Documentary. Midlands MAKER'S CLUB Holiday club for kids Birmingham Jansson, Sat 18 Apr, Arena Theatre, Arts Centre, Birmingham, Thurs 16 Wolverhampton aged nine to 15, Tues 14 Apr, Black CRAFTY FRIDAY: UNICORN RACING Apr; Light House Media Centre, Country Living Museum, Dudley Design and create your own unicorn Wolverhampton, Thurs 16 Apr EASTER BUNNY GROTTO Eggsplore the horns, attach them to hobby horses UNDER THE TREE (15) Comedy/Drama. Easte r Woodland to find all of the and race them through the Weoley Starring Steinþór Hróar Steinþórsson, hidden eggs before meeting the Castle moat, Fri 17 Apr, Weoley Edda Björgvinsdóttir. Foreign bunny himself in his burrow, Tues 14 - Castle Ruins, Birmingham language, subtitled. The Hive, Wed 15 Apr, The British Ironwork SHOW THE LOVE DAY Local climate and Shrewsbury, Fri 17 Apr Centre, Oswestry nature-focused organisations show MISBEHAVIOUR (12a) Drama/History. BUILD YOUR OWN SCARECROW Help the how you can help make a difference, Starring Keira Knightley, Gugu Walled Garden team scare away the Sat 18 Apr, Attingham Park, Mbatha-Raw. Stoke Film Theatre, Fri birds in time for summer planting by Shrewsbury PEPPA PIG'S BEST DAY EVER Brand new 17 - Sat 18 & Tues 21 Apr recycling your old clothes into a BUMBLEBEE SAFARI Discover what the show for younger audiences, Sat 18 - THE TRUTH (PG) Drama. Starring scarecrow, Wed 15 Apr, Attingham buzz is all about in the Walled Sun 19 Apr, Wolverhampton Grand Catherine Deneuve, Juliette Binoche. Park, Shrewsbury Garden, where a guide will show you Theatre Foreign language, subtitled. PETER RABBIT STORY TIME Hop along how to catch and identify the resident Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, to see Peter Rabbit, Wed 15 Apr, bumblebees, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Apr, Fri 17, Mon 20 & Thurs 23 Apr Birmingham Botanical Gardens Shugborough Historic Working Estate, Stafford 1917 (15) Drama/War. Starring George CRAFTY WEDNESDAY - EASTER Drop-in Cabaret MacKay, Benedict Cumberbatch. Easter themed craft activities, Wed 15 THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK: FLIGHT OF Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Apr, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham Fri 17 - Thurs 23 Apr FANTASY Glamorous showgirls MINI BEAST'S MANSION MAKING Make a recreate magical movie moments, MILITARY WIVES (12a) Comedy/Drama. natural mansion for the mini beasts Tues 14 Apr, The Place, Telford Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon around your home and garden, Wed TRES TRES CABARET Featuring Horgan. Festival Drayton Centre, 15 Apr, Shugborough Historic performers from the international Market Drayton, North Shropshire, Working Estate, Stafford Sat 18 Apr whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 20 - 26 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:07 Page 1 thelist
Severn, Shrewsbury Gigs Classical & MARK STEEL Thurs 23 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham ASHLEY HENRY Mon 20 Easy Listening ANDREW RYAN, FIN TAYLOR & COMEDY April, Hare & Hounds, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Birmingham LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH Thurs 23 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD THOMAS TROTTER Programme SEANN WALSH Fri 24 Apr, The Old HART Mon 20 April, includes works by Mendelssohn, Rep Theatre, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston Reger & W. Alcock, Mon 20 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ROBIN MORGAN Fri 24 Apr, The Glee BRENDAN SCHAUB: 50 Club, Birmingham SHADES OF BROWN TAIWAN PHILHARMONIC: TCHAIKOVSKY Tues 21 April, O2 NO. 6 Featuring Shao-Chia Lü ANDREW RYAN, FIN TAYLOR, PAUL Academy, Birmingham (conductor) & Kit Armstrong (piano). THORNE, ADAM STAUNTON & CELYA AB Faustus - Ludlow Brewery Company, South Shropshire Programme includes works by Yuan- Fri 24 Apr, The Glee Club, B’ham WILL AND THE PEOPLE Chen-Li, Saint-Saëns & Tchaikovsky, Wed 22 April, O2 BON GIOVI Fri 24 April, Rooms, Stourbridge JACK BARRY Sat 25 Apr, The REP, Mon 20 Apr, Symphony Hall, Academy, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston Birmingham TOYAH & HAZEL Birmingham BLACK PEAKS Wed 22 SIMPLE MINDS - 40 O’CONNOR Sat 25 April, FREDDY QUINNE, ROBIN MORGAN, CBSO & OSMO VÄNSKÄ Also featuring April, O2 Institute, YEARS OF HITS Fri 24 Birmingham Town Hall GAVIN WEBSTER & ANDREW ROBINSON Ning Feng (violin). Programme Birmingham April, Resorts World SUKH OJLA: LIFE SUKHS Sat 25 Apr, The Comedy Loft, Arena, Birmingham includes works by Sibelius & Birmingham THE ACADEMIC + Sat 25 April, The Slade Beethoven, Wed 22 Apr, Symphony LAURAN HIBBERD Wed THE TINA TURNER Rooms, Hall, Birmingham ANDREW RYAN, FIN TAYLOR, PAUL 22 April, The EXPERIENCE Fri 24 Wolverhampton THORNE & LINDSEY SANTORO Sat 25 ASSASSIN’S CREED SYMPHONY A Sugarmill, Stoke-on- April, The Place, Apr, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE JAM’D Sat 25 April, multimedia symphony performance Trent Telford Eleven, Sandyford, enabling audiences to experience DAVID BADDIEL Sun 26 Apr, Stafford THE DARIUS BRUBECK CANTERBURY TALES Fri Stoke-on-Trent the rich musical history of the Gatehouse Theatre QUARTET Thurs 23 24 April, Tamworth THE INDIGO MACHINE franchise live in concert, Thurs 23 April, New Vic Theatre, Assembly Rooms Sat 25 April, Albert’s Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Staffordshire LAMB OF GOD Fri 24 Shed, Southwater CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET JOESEF Thurs 23 April, April, O2 Academy, REGIME Sat 25 April, Programme includes works by Philip Theatre O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Albert’s Shed, Glass, Peter Gregson, Joby Talbot & DIAL M FOR MURDER Tom Chambers DEAN FRIEDMAN Thurs RALPH MCTELL Fri 24 Shrewsbury Arvo Part, Thurs 23 Apr, STOP. Cafe and Samantha Womack star, Mon 20 23 April, Henry Tudor April, New Vic Theatre, WILKO JOHNSON Sat 25 Bar, Shrewsbury Museum - Sat 25 Apr, The Alexandra, House, Shrewsbury Staffordshire April, Theatre Severn, THE STAFFORDSHIRE BAND: ST Birmingham BAXTER DURY Thurs 23 THE PUPPINI SISTERS Shrewsbury GEORGE’S DAY CONCERT Fri 24 Apr, WE WILL ROCK YOU Smash-hit April, O2 Institute, Fri 24 April, MYSTERY JETS Walsall Arena musical by Queen & Ben Elton, Mon Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall (RESCHEDULED) Sat 25 Q THE MUSIC SHOW: THE JAMES BOND 20 Apr - Sat 2 May, Birmingham Hippodrome HEATHER PEACE Thurs BON JOVI EXPERIENCE April, The Mill Digbeth CONCERT SPECTACULAR Fri 24 Apr, 23 April, Hare & Fri 24 April, Prince Of BARRY STEELE IN THE Lichfield Garrick THE KITE RUNNER Based on Khaled Hounds, Birmingham Wales Centre, ROY ORBISON STORY THE STAFFORDSHIRE BAND AND Hosseini’s international bestselling Cannock novel, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, RUSH, A JOYOUS Sat 25 April, The GUESTS: ST GEORGE’S DAY CONCERT Wolverhampton Grand Theatre JAMAICAN JOURNEY OASISH Fri 24 April, Place, Telford Featuring guest choirs Voices In Thurs 23 April, Brierley Eleven, Sandyford, BEXEY Sun 26 April, O2 Harmony & Viva Musica, Sat 25 Apr, CONFESSIONS OF A COCKNEY TEMPLE Hill Civic Hall Stoke-on-Trent Academy, Birmingham Dudley Town Hall DANCER Join Shane Shambhu as he rips up ideas of race, language and FROM THE JAM Thurs PAUL HEATON & JACQUI DI XIAO: TO SPRING Programme SKINNY LIVING Sun 26 culture via a mix of theatre, dance 23 April, The ABBOTT Fri 24 April, includes works by Christian Sinding, April, Hare & Hounds, and film, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, The Buttermarket, Arena Birmingham John Ireland, arr. Kris Lennox, Birmingham REP, Birmingham Shrewsbury Yiqiang Sun, Mendelssohn, William THE HARA Sat 25 April, GHETTO FUNKULAR Sun Mason, Tchaikovsky, Medtner, Grieg GREASE Amateur staging performed NOBLE JACKS Thurs 23 O2 Academy, B’ham 26 April, Albert’s Shed, & Debussy, Sat 25 Apr, Ludlow by Stoke Youth Theatre Group, Tues April, Hare & Hounds, GODS OF RAP II Sat 25 Southwater Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire 21 - Sat 25 Apr, Stoke Repertory Birmingham April, Arena B’ham LUKE EVANS Sun 26 SAKARI ORAMO & ROYAL STOCKHOLM Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent UK SUBS Thurs 23 T.REXTASY - ‘GET IT ON’ April, Symphony Hall, PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Also THE WEDDING SINGER Amateur April, The Robin, Sat 25 April, The Birmingham featuring Nicola Benedetti (violin). staging presented by Bournville Bilston Robin, Bilston FAUSTUS Sun 26 April, Programme includes works by Musical Theatre Company, Tues 21 - BRAINSTORM Fri 24 LISA STANLEY Sat 25 Ludlow Brewery Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Prokofiev & Sat 25 Apr, The Crescent Theatre, April, O2 Academy, April, Prince Of Wales Company, Ludlow, Sibelius, Sat 25 Apr, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre, Cannock South Shropshire Birmingham MADE IN DAGENHAM - THE MUSICAL SPLIT MILK SOCIETY + CALAN Sat 25 April, KATIE’S CABARET Sun Amateur staging presented by SUPPORT Fri 24 April, Newhampton 26 April, Katie Tamworth Musical Theatre Newhampton Arts Arts Centre, Fitzgeralds, Company, Tues 21 - Sat 25 Apr, Centre, W’hampton Wolverhampton Stourbridge Comedy Tamworth Assembly Rooms VERTIGO BAND Fri 24 WALK RIGHT BACK Sat HOLY FUCK Sun 26 ROSS NOBLE Mon 20 - Tues 21 Apr, UP POMPEII Ambient Nights present a April, Albert’s Shed, 25 April, Lichfield April, Hare & Hounds, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury romp through ancient Pompeii, Wed Shrewsbury Birmingham Garrick PETE FIRMAN & THE AMAZING TBC Tues 22 - Thurs 23 Apr, Prince of Wales DUB PISTOLS Fri 24 THE ULTIMATE 21 Apr, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham Theatre, Cannock April, Albert’s Shed, COMMITMENTS & BLUES JOE LYCETT Tues 21 Apr, The Glee SCREAM PHONE Scream meets Southwater BROTHERS Sat 25 April, Club, Birmingham Clueless in a spoof horror musical, THE WEST COAST Evesham Arts Centre Wed 22 - Sat 25 Apr, The Old Joint ARABELLA WEIR Wed 22 Apr, Theatre EAGLES Fri 24 April, TAKE THAT - SHINE Stock Theatre, Birmingham Sat Severn, Shrewsbury Lichfield Guildhall 25 April, The River THE DELIGHTFUL S AUSAGE: GINSTER’S MATT FORDE Thurs 23 Apr, Theatre whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 20 - 26 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:07 Page 2
Monday 20 - Sun 26 April
PARADISE ‘Surreal sketch comedy nightmare that will tear your soul Kids Shows apart’, Thurs 23 Apr, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Family JULIET & ROMEO Dance, comedy & show packed with ‘oodles of magic, theatre combine as Lost Dog imagine sing-along-songs and clumsy chaos’, what life would have been like for the Tues 21 - Wed 22 Apr, Lichfield world’s best-known lovers, if they Garrick have lived... Thurs 23 Apr, Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton SILENT UPROAR: THANK YOU FOR DOING Dance NOTHING Production about the LEWYS HOLT: PHRASES AND FOOTNOTES climate emergency and the men who Double bill of work fusing dance and profit from it, Thurs 23 Apr, Midlands text with a sprinkling of comedy, Arts Centre, Birmingham Thur s 23 Apr, Arena Theatre, THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Wolverhampton Amateur staging presented by Stourbridge Theatre Company, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 Apr, Stourbridge Town Hall Talks Lost Dog’s Juliet & Rome0 - various venues INSPECTOR DRAKE AND THE BLACK DAVID HARPER UNEXPECTED TALES! WIDOW Amateur staging of David Improvised show ‘packed with tales EPICO THE DRAGON Join Sir Aurelious Tristram’s comic play, Thurs 23 - Sat of embarrassing moments, funny Events Jones, the pirate knight, and Epico 25 Apr, The Belfrey Theatre, celebrities, historical stories, journeys the Dragon for an interactive Wellington, Shropshire through time, world records, THE MURDER OF ALBERT BECKER Enjoy adventure, Sat 25 Apr, The Potteries THE 39 STEPS A cast of four deliver disastrous TV appearances and Court 15 in a new and unique way. Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley, Stoke- recreate 150 zany characters in John more’... Mon 20 Apr, Stafford Interrogate suspects, follow clues on-Trent Gatehouse Theatre and help the police solve the mystery Buchan’s fast-paced whodunnit, WALES COMIC CON: TELFORD TAKEOVER of Albert Becker’s death, Fri 24 Apr, Thurs 23 Apr - Sat 2 May, The Blue Celebrate the best of comics, Birmingham Back to Backs Orange Theatre, Birmingham cosplay, media and more, Sat 25 - MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL 2: CRUISING BEER FESTIVAL 2020 Featuring even Sun 26 Apr, Telford International THROUGH MENOPAUSE! Sequel to the Film more beer, a selection of locally Centre, Shropshire INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: sourced food and some great live smash-hit show, Menopause the THE 40TH CAROLE NASH INTERNATIONAL music, Fri 24 - Sat 25 Apr, Middleport Musical, Fri 24 Apr, Theatre Severn, KNIVES OUT (12a) Crime/Comedy. CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE SHOW The show Pottery, Burslem, Staffordshire Shrewsbury Starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans. is back with a special 1940s edition THE HARD WAY One-woman show by Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon BIG FISH LIT TLE FISH The award- to mark the 75th anniversary of VE musician and composer Louise 20 Apr; Sparc Theatre, Bishop’s winning family rave returns with a Day, Sat 25 - Sun 26 Apr, Jordan, Fri 24 Apr, Clungunford Castle, South Shropshire Pirates & Mermaids theme, Sat 25 Staffordshire County Showground, Parish Hall, Nr Craven Arms, South THE CURRENT WAR (U) Apr, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Stafford Shropshire Biography/Drama. Starring Benedict AUTISM EARLY BIRD Special early ST GEORGE’S DAY 2020 Featuring THE CANTERBURY TALES ‘Riotous and Cumberbatch, Oliver Powell. opening for families with children medieval reenactment, children’s rollicking’ retelling of Chaucer’s Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon 20 Apr who would enjoy the museum at a entertainers, face painting, crafts, and medieval masterpiece, Fri 24 Apr, MRS LOWRY AND SON (PG) quieter time. This would particularly a walkabout with Smoked! the Tamworth Assembly Rooms Biography/Drama. Starring Vanessa suit those with ASD or other sensory Dragon, Sun 26 Apr, Dudley processing differences, Sat 25 Apr, BEACH BODY READY The Roaring Girls Redgrave, Timothy Spall. Sparc Zoological Gardens Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, smash their way though ingrained Theatre, Bishop’s Castle, South DAWN CHORUS WALK Wake up with the Shropshire fears, food insecurities and toxic Shropshire, Tues 21 Apr feathered friends of Shugborough at advertising, Sat 25 Apr, Arena PARASITE (15) Drama. Starring Kang- ST. GEORGE ’S DAY Medieval living first light, Sun 26 Apr, Shugborough Theatre, Wolverhampton ho Song, Yeo-jeong Jo. Foreign history in the castle and Historic Working Estate, Stafford reenactments in the castle grounds, JULIET & ROMEO Dance, comedy & language, subtitled. Stafford Sat 25 Apr, Tamworth Castle theatre combine as Lost Dog imagine Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 21 Apr what life would have been like for the ELVIS: THAT'S THE WAY IT IS (U) world’s best-known lovers, if they had Documentary/Music. Starring Elvis lived... Sat 25 Apr, Meole Brace Presley, James Burton. Old Market Peace Memorial Hall, Shrewsbury Hall, Shrewsbury, Wed 22 Apr SHEILA’S MENTAL HEALTH SHOW 7 One- SYSTEM CRASHER (15) Drama. Starring woman show exploring anxiety and Helena Zengel, Albrecht Schuch. its effects on our beliefs, behaviours Foreign language, subtitled. Stoke and relationships, Sat 25 Apr, Film Theatre, Thurs 23 Apr Lichfield Garrick THE FATHER The story of an elderly NEW FILMS ON GENERAL man with dementia, and his daughter, RELEASE: who is struggling to maintain a life of Released from Fri 24 Apr, showing at her own as she cares for him, Sat 25 selected cinemas Apr - Sat 2 May, The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham FINDING THE WAY BACK (15) A NIGHT AT THE OPERA An evening of OUR LADIES (15) opera scenes and extracts performed ANTLERS (15) by pupils of Shrewsbury School, Sun 26 Apr, Maidment Auditorium, St George’s Day Celebrations - Tamworth Castle Shrewsbury School whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolves/Shrops/Staffs 27 - 30 April.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2020 16:10 Page 1
thelist Monday 27 - Thursday 30 April
ONLY FOOLS AND BOYCIE Intimate Classical & evening with Only Fools And Horses actor John Challis, Wed 29 Apr, The Easy Listening Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham OLIVER TWIST Bryony Lavery CBSO: BEETHOVEN’S EROICA Featuring adaptation of Dickens’ iconic tale, Julian Rachlin (conductor/violin) & Wed 29 Apr - Sat 9 May, The REP, Sarah McElravy (viola). Programme B’ham includes works by Rossini, Mozart & MADE IN DAGENHAM THE MUSICAL Beethoven, Wed 29 - Thurs 30 Apr, Amateur staging presented by Symphony Hall, Birmingham Musical Theatre Stafford, Wed 29 WE’LL MEET AGAIN Vintage Trio The Apr - Sat 2 May, Stafford Gatehouse Bluebird Belles celebrate the 75th Theatre anniversary of VE Day with the ONE SIDE LIES THE SEA Pentabus sounds of Vera Lynn, Anne Shelton, Theatre Company explore ‘the Gracie Fields & many more... Thurs brilliant communities that inhabit our 30 Apr, Walsall Arena coastline’. Thurs 30 Apr, Theatre JUAN PÉREZ FLORISTÁN PIANO RECITAL Severn, Shrewsbury Programme includes works by BORED OFF MY TITS Provocative Gershwin, Bartók, Ginastera, account of one woman’s journey Beethoven & Schubert, Thurs 30 back to herself via music, thrills and Apr, Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke- chat lines, Thurs 30 Apr - Fri 1 May, on-Trent The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Sari Schorr - The Robin, Bilston KIPPS Mad Cow present an amateur The Sunflower, Arena & Arts Centre Comedy staging of the iconic British musical, Gigs Birmingham EMILY BURNS Thurs 30 Thurs 30 Apr - Sat 2 May, Theatre BONFIRE RADICALS Wed Apr, Hare & Hounds, SIOBHAN PHILLIPS Tues 28 Apr, The Severn, Shrewsbury JIMOTHY LACOSTE Mon 29 Apr, The Red Lion Birmingham Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham CHICAGO THE MUSICAL Backstreet 27 Apr, O2 Academy, Folk Club, B’ham JARROD DICKENSON & RUSSELL KANE Wed 29 Apr, The Theatre Company present an Birmingham WHITECHAPEL + DAVID FORD Thurs 30 Place, Telford amateur staging of Kander & Ebb’s BON IVER Mon 27 Apr, DYSCARNATE + VEXED Apr, Hare & Hounds, KERRY GODLIMAN Wed 29 Apr, The landmark musical, Thurs 30 Apr - Arena Birmingham Wed 29 Apr, The Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham Sat 2 May, Prince of Wales Theatre, Sugarmill, Stoke-on- Cannock BLUES CARAVAN Mon PETE AND BAS Thurs 30 IAIN STIRLING Thurs 30 Apr, The Old Trent 27 Apr, The Robin, Apr, The Mill Digbeth Rep Theatre, Birmingham Bilston BELINDA O’HOOLEY - ANDY RICHARDS BAND SCOTT AGNEW, JENNY COLLIER & INVERSIONS Wed 29 NATHANIEL RATELIFF Thurs 30 Apr, Katie COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY Apr, Midlands Arts Dance Tues 28 Apr, Fitzgeralds, ROBINSON Thurs 30 Apr, The Glee Centre, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Stourbridge Club, B’ham SWAN LAKE Vienna Festival Ballet Birmingham presents its version of one of ballet’s JORDAN MACKAMPA GWEN DICKEY - THE best-loved stories, Wed 29 Apr, The OUR HOLLOW, OUR Wed 29 Apr, Hare & VOICE OF ROSE ROYCE Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- HOME Wed 29 Apr, O2 Hounds, Birmingham Thurs 30 Apr, upon-Trent Academy, Birmingham GUVNA B Thurs 30 Apr, Birmingham Town Hall Theatre O2 Academy, JV2 Triple bill including a new work THE FRATELLIS Wed 29 THOSE SNAKES & SISTER ACT Amateur staging Birmingham by Jasmin Vardimon, Thurs 30 Apr, Apr, O2 Institute, BATTALIONS PLUS presented by Curtain Call Theatre Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton Birmingham PROTOJE, LILA IKE & SUPPORT Thurs 30 Apr, Company Shrewsbury, Tues 28 - CHON Wed 29 Apr, The SEVANA Thurs 30 Apr, Scruffy Murphys, Wed 29 Apr, Theatre Severn, Asylum, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Birmingham Shrewsbury THE SHIRES Wed 29 BEARDYMAN Thurs 30 IN FLAMES Thurs 30 NIKIPEDIA Shared histories presented Apr, Victoria Hall, Apr, Albert’s Shed, Apr, KK Steele Mill, as a fusion of stand-up, theatre and Stoke-on-Trent Southwater, Telford Wolverhampton stories down the pub, Tues 28 - Wed 29 Apr, Warwick Arts Centre, SARI SCHORR Wed 29 ARTHUR BOCANEANU SHAMBOLICS Thurs 30 Coventry Apr, The Robin, Bilston Thurs 30 Apr, The Apr, Dead Wax, Gateway, Shrewsbury Birmingham LAVA Story about friendship and FEBUEDER + SPECIAL human connection in the face of the GUESTS Wed 29 Apr, WE’LL MEET AGAIN Thurs 30 Apr, Walsall inexplicable, Tues 28 Apr - Sat 2 May, The REP, Birmingham FLASHDANCE New staging of the iconic film of the same name, Tues Film 28 Apr - Sat 2 May, Wolverhampton INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Grand Theatre THE GOOD LIAR (15) Crime/Drama. AN INSPECTOR CALLS Stephen Starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen. Daldry’s award-winning production Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon of JB Priestley’s classic thriller, Tues 27 Apr 28 Apr - Sat 2 May, Belgrade APOLLO 13 (PG) Drama/History. Theatre, Coventry Starring Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton. QUALITY STREET JM Barrie farce, Walsall Arena, Tues 28 Apr written years before he penned Peter SOME LIKE IT HOT (12) Pan, Tues 28 Apr - Sat 9 May, New Comedy/Music. Starring Marilyn Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Monroe, Tony Curtis. Mitchell Arts In Flames - KK Steel Mill, Wolverhampton Centre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 28 Apr whatsonlive.co.uk Stafford Gatehouse Full April 2020 .qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 15:44 Page 1
THE MAGIC OF SARAH MOTOWN MCQUAID FRIDAY 17 APRIL SUNDAY 19 APRIL @ 7.30PM @ 7.30PM
DAVID HARPER THE UNEXPECTED WITCHING HOUR UNSETTLING TALES OF TALES! ANTIQUARIAN TERROR! MONDAY 20 APRIL TUESDAY 5 MAY @ 7.30PM @ 7.30PM
VORTICE DANCE COMPANY I, ELIZABETH PRESENT A LUXURIOUS VISUAL FEAT WRITTEN & PERFORMED BY REBECCA VAUGHAN DRACULA THURSDAY 7 & FRIDAY 8 TUESDAY 12 MAY MAY @ 7.30PM @ 7.30PM
The ultimate celebration of Musical Theatre
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN ANSELL’S LES MUSICALS FRIDAY 10 & SAT 11 APRIL @ 7.30PM FRIDAY 29 MAY @ 7.30PM
CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR FULL LISTINGS
BOX OFFICE 01785 619080 BOOK ONLINE www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk EASTGATE STREET, STAFFORD, ST16 2 LT Buttermarket Wedding Full March 2020.qxp_Layout 1 19/03/2020 16:00 Page 1