Birmingham Cover January 2019.Qxp Birmingham Cover 14/12/2018 11:20 Page 1

Birmingham Cover January 2019.qxp_Birmingham Cover 14/12/2018 11:20 Page 1

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands RETURNS TO THE HIPPODROME

BIRMINGHAM WHAT’S ON JANUARY 2019 Birmingham ISSUE 397 JANUARY 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onbirminghamwhatson.co.uk

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Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

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STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE! waltzes back into Brum BIRMINGHAMWHATSON.CO.UK BMAG Women Power F/P Nov 2018.qxp_Layout 1 19/10/2018 10:02 Page 1 Contents January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 17:02 Page 2

January 2019

Contents

Swanning around - Matthew Bourne’s masterpiece gets a new lease of life... page 32

Ella Mai Sam Avery Arrows Of Time the list

rising R&B star to play city’s talks about the perils of being a tribute to Dr Who on show at Your 16-page O2 Institute hapless learner-parent Thinktank Science Museum week-by-week listings guide page 13 page 24 page 49 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 10. Food 13. Music 24. Comedy 26. Theatre 37. Film 42. Visual Arts 49. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 MEDIA GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Birmingham January .qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:37 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Elmhurst launches its own ballet company A centre of excellence which works in association with Birmingham Royal Bal- let will next month present an evening of dance to launch its own ballet company. Elmhurst Ballet School’s new company will perform at its studio theatre in Edg- baston on Friday 8 & Saturday 9, presenting a show called Origins that will include a range of excerpts from works by leading classical and contemporary dance-makers. Commenting on the development, Elmhurst Ballet School Principal Jessica Wheeler said: “The new company will enhance the student experience with performances in a variety of locations. Students will gain a greater sense of working and touring in a professional company whilst learning and performing a diverse range of choreography.”

Route revealed for Vélo days. Led by professional artist tutors, the New chair appointed at courses include both one-day creative learn- Midlands cycle event ing experiences and ‘creative camps’ lasting Birmingham Hippodrome between two and five days. For more information, visit macbirmingham.co.uk

Ben Elton hits the road with new comedy tour Blackadder and Upstart Crow writer Ben Birmingham Hippodrome has named archi- Elton is this year making a long-overdue re- tect Glenn Howells - a Trustee of the theatre turn to the world of stand-up comedy, head- since 2012 - as its new Chair. ing out on an autumn tour that sees him Glenn’s design-led architectural practice has visiting various Midlands venues. been influential in shaping Birmingham’s re- Commenting on the news, Ben said: "The last generation over the last three decades, hav- Full details of the Vélo Birmingham & Mid- time I toured, I was still smarter than my ing undertaken projects in Brindleyplace, lands closed-road cycle route have been re- phone. Things have definitely taken a funny Digbeth and the Jewellery Quarter. leased. turn.” To find out where he’s appearing in Commenting on his new role, Glenn said: One of Europe’s biggest cycling events, Vélo the region and to book tickets for the show, “Our vision for the Hippodrome is to build on Birmingham & Midlands (formerly Vélo Birm- visit Ticketmaster.co.uk its huge successes, to widen our artistic pro- ingham) returns on Sunday 12 May. gramme and to connect to the largest possi- The brand new and improved route will take ble audiences. We will do this through new 17,000 riders of all abilities on a 100-mile partnerships and investment in our Hippo- journey through the West Midlands. To check drome Projects - new artists and program- out the route, visit velobirmingham.com ming, expanded education and community programmes, bigger community festivals, and the development of our Southside cam- Holiday fun for kids at pus. “As Chamberlain realised in the 19th century, Midlands Arts Centre you can’t make a great city from commerce Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre will be and industry alone. To be truly great, a city running a number of kids’ courses during needs culture and soul, and that’s what we both February half term and the Easter holi- want to deliver.” 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham January .qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:37 Page 2

First Word

Tickets on sale for 2019 Brum Tattoo Britain’s biggest indoor international tattoo returns to Arena Birmingham on Satur- day 23 and Sunday 24 Novem- ber. Featuring more than 1,200 performers, the Birmingham International Tattoo brings together national and international marching bands and boasts a grand finale of spec- tacular pomp and pageantry. Tickets for the event are now on sale at theticketfactory.com.

Smash-hit Queen musical rocking its way back to Brum Smash-hit West End musical We Will Rock You is returning to Birmingham Hippodrome in 2020 as part of a reimagined tour. Written by Ben Elton and inspired by the music of Queen, the show features the band’s most famous hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, We Are The Champions, I Want To Break Free, Don’t Stop Me Now, and of course the title track itself. We Will Rock You stops off in Birmingham from 20 April to 2 May 2020. For more information, visit birminghamhippodrome.com

Burt Bacharach to play Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Birmingham kids The 2019 edition of Birmingham’s Mostly Jazz go back in time... Funk & Soul festival will be brought to a close A group of local children will by the legendary Burt Bacharach. sample a taste of fame when The award-winning composer, whose hits in- they appear in a new BBC TV clude Alfie, I Say A Little Prayer, I'll Never Fall series to be aired this month. In Love Again and Walk On By, will perform at Back In Time For School will the three-day Moseley Park event on Sunday 14 feature 15 teenagers from July. Tickets for the festival can now be pur- Birmingham and the sur- chased at mostlyjazz.co.uk rounding area. Together with three teachers, the youngsters will be fast-forwarded through Greatest Showman star Hugh to 100 years of education, in the stop off in the Midlands region process exploring what schools taught and the way Academy Award-nominated Hugh Jackman will this they taught it. spring visit the Midlands as part of his first world tour. The programme airs on BBC His new production - The Man. The Music. The Show. - Two on 3 January at 8pm. will see the Wolverine actor accompanied by a live orchestra as he performs hit songs from two of his films, The Greatest Showman and Les Miserables, and a selection of other much-loved numbers from Hollywood movies and Broadway favourites. Jackman performs at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena (formerly Genting Arena) on Monday 27 & Tues- day 28 May. For more information, visit resortsworldarena.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Birmingham January .qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:37 Page 3

First Word

Movie magic at Nostalgia show The Alexandra celebration Birmingham’s Alexandra The- Popular Midlands nostalgia atre is hosting a week-long film show Go And Play Up Your Own festival this month. End is celebrating its 20th an- Highlights include quote-along niversary. and dress-up screenings of To mark the occasion, cast ’90s classic Clueless, the iconic members from across the years Spiceworld movie and the ever- are this month appearing in a popular Mean Girls. The concert version of the produc- screenings are free to attend tion. and take place at the Alex from Blending comedy, variety, Monday 14 to Sunday 20 music, theatre and dance, the January. concert is being presented at The Core in Solihull on the evening of Friday 18 January. A matinee performance takes place the following day.

Circus presents a show full of Miracles... It’s Snow White There’s still time to enjoy Moscow State Circus’ latest production, run- for 2019... LGBT poet talks ning at Birmingham’s NEC until Saturday 5 January. Entitled Miracles, Birmingham Hippodrome will love and activism the show features acrobats, trapeze artists, contortionists, stunt riders next December round off a year and the award-winning clowns, the Chervotkins Duo. of 120th-anniversary celebra- at the Glee Club The production has been specially created for the NEC and takes place tions by presenting Snow LGBT poet Andrea Gibson will in a brand new state-of-the-art Big Top. For more information and to White And The Seven Dwarfs as visit the Midlands this spring book tickets for the show, visit moscowstatecircus.com its 2019/2020 panto production. with a tour based on her re- Other shows scheduled for the cently published collection of theatre’s birthday year include work. Les Misérables, Gary Barlow’s One of spoken-word poetry’s Calendar Girls The Musical - most captivating performers, visiting Birmingham for the Andrea regularly sells out 500- first time - and the venue’s first plus-capacity venues. ever co-production, The Color The work around which her Purple. new tour is centred, Lord Of For full details of the 2019 line- The Butterflies, is said to pre- up of shows, visit birming- sent ‘a fierce oscillation be- hamhippodrome.com tween activism and love’. Andrea performs at Birming- ham’s Glee Club on Monday 13 New season at May. Tickets are available at Lichfield Arts nvite.com/community/An- Productions recalling and cele- dreaGibsonTour brating the sounds of Ricky Nelson, Joni Mitchell and The Eagles are among the highlights of Lichfield Arts’ wide- ranging programme of Five thousand years of civilisation... spring-season entertainment. The world's premier classical Chinese dance & music company, Shen The tribute shows take their Yun, is returning to Birmingham this month after enjoying sell-out place in a line-up that also in- success last year. Described as ‘five thousand years of civilisation - cludes appearances by Fairport live on stage’, the company’s new production reflects the rich spiritual Convention’s Ashley Hutchings heritage of ancient China and features ethnic dances, ‘dazzling’ cos- and the Midlands’ very own tumes and ‘dynamic’ animated backdrops. King Pleasure & The Biscuit Shen Yun appear at the city’s International Convention Centre from Boys. For more information, Friday 11 to Sunday 13 January. visit lichfieldarts.org.uk. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Birmingham January .qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:37 Page 4 Jodie Prenger.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 14:12 Page 1

JODIE PRENGER talks about the challenge of playing Beverly in Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party

08 whatsonlive.co.uk Jodie Prenger.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 14:12 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

No stranger to playing iconic contemporary roles, Jodie Prenger this month returns to the Midlands to star as big and blousy Beverly in Abigail’s Party, Mike Leigh’s voyeuristic look at suburban life in 1970s Britain. We caught up with Jodie to find out how she plans to tackle the role made famous by Alison Steadman...

Will this new staging of Abigail’s Party be awkward to watch because they’re so true. like to call them. I’ve also done a lot of true to Mike Leigh’s original, or will it Mike’s writing manages to bring to the research into the era, the dynamics of the have a contemporary slant? forefront the darkest parts of people’s souls. family and the area where she came from. All It’ll be very true to Mike’s vision, and in fact of that has been really interesting to do. And Is the play relevant to a modern audience? he’s very, very much on board with this Sarah has given us a whole backlog of production. I’m a huge fan of his, and of It’s still very relevant, as it brings to the research homework to do, which I love her Sarah Esdaile, the producer, who’s just forefront the dynamics of relationships: the for because it’s made both the characters and fantastic. Her vision for the play is to keep it manipulation in couples and the masks that the text a lot richer. true. Moving away from that could result in people put on when you first meet them; the When you step back out of character, do losing some of the little gems that are in this wanting to have a good time, and when it you ever feel envious of Beverly? piece. Keeping it in that era makes it jump off doesn’t work out, the unravelling of the page, it really does. Why change it when relationships. We’ve all gone to parties and I’m actually quite scared by how much of it’s so perfect - the text is rich, the era’s rich, put on a face when really we just can’t be Beverly is in me. I haven’t admitted that to the dynamics are there. It’s just fantastic, and arsed. The play has a realness that hasn’t the director yet, but I do recognise that we I don’t believe there’s any way to take it other changed and won’t change. It’s something have huge amounts in common. than to keep it true to its actual form. that will go on for centuries. If it was set today, you’d have that whole social media What would you say is the greatest What does Abigail’s Party tell us about thing to contend with. If Beverly had an strength of Mike Leigh’s writing, both in Britain in the mid-1970s? Instagram account, she’d be there taking general and in Abigail’s Party? It was a very aspirational, materialistic time; pictures of the cheese and pineapple and I think it’s the sense of truth. It’s the a time when many questioned their role in putting about 10 filters on it. She’d be making uneasiness he creates because it’s so raw, society. It was all about what you knew, how out her life was perfect when in reality it was and that’s what it is with Abigail’s Party. It you knew it, what you did, how you looked. full of cracks. resonates. It’s the gritty action scenes of life It was very pre-Thatcher and all about the behind closed doors that you can present to You’re playing an iconic role made famous economic climb - this is what we’ve made the nation. by Alison Steadman. How have you ourselves. All of that I find really fascinating. approached playing the part? You’ve said the play is true to the original, You were born in the late ’70s, so how Alison created Beverly, because it was all so will we have the pleasure of Demis much of the play can you relate to? done from improvisation. There are elements Roussos? As a child coming out of the ’70s, the music that you can’t differ that much from because The music is great and very nostalgic for me. and the materialistic things I was surrounded it’s set in script. Every single one of the It’s a great soundtrack, much of which I by are vividly clear, and being part of this characters are so different, and of course already have on my Spotify. brings back so many memories. My nan and there’s going to be a bit of yourself that you my grandad had just moved from bring into the role. I just hope that I do her Beverly is on your bucket list of roles to Manchester. Both they and my mum & dad proud because I really love her. Even when I play. If you could play any other Mike had hotels and did really well for themselves. played Shirley Valentine, it was a role Leigh character, who would you choose? It was a time of new money and all of the personified by Alison. I don’t mind following Vera Drake. Age-wise, it’s a bit of a way off, things that Beverly surrounds herself with - her around. I’m having a lovely time. I did but that’s what I’d lean towards. Then again, the marble table, the marble lighter. I’m like, actually meet her at the press night of Fat if Mike saw me at six o’clock in the morning, Oh gosh, my nan had one of them! For me, Friends The Musical, and I was very nervous he’d probably have me in for an audition! because she’s such an icon. it’s something I can totally connect with, and I totally understand why Beverly wants these So what’s your starting point when things. They are the showpieces of her life. preparing to play Beverly? The great thing about Mike Leigh’s work is Abigail’s Party shows at The Alexandra that there are always characters who you can There’s quite a lot of history research that I’ve Theatre, Birmingham, from Mon 21 to Sat relate to, whether it’s yourself or someone done. I’ve gone into House of Fraser and 26 January and then at the Regent you know. After all, there’s a social climber in watched people working behind the counter. Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, from Mon 18 to everyone - sad but true. Some scenes are I’ve talked to quite a few of my friends who are stay-at-home ‘ladies of the manor’, as I Sat 23 February.

whatsonlive.co.uk 09 Food January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 17:00 Page 1

Food

marinated and tender chicken thighs, honey and cinnamon pork belly, gammon with pineapple, chicken hearts (a must-try, they’re delicious), chicken with bacon, spicy chorizo and pork sausage. Unsurprisingly, my partner and I tried all 15 meats on offer. We even went back for seconds (and indeed thirds!) of the Picanha, the pork sausage, the chorizo, the lamb, the Filé Mignon, the Fraldinha and the butcher’s choice. Fazenda also boasts a vegetar- ian, fish and vegan menu, for the non-meat eaters amongst us. This includes Bacalhau Preto - cod, squid ink, garlic and REVIEW: Fazenda to bring out skewers of sizzling spinach - a gnocchi dish with meats one by one; the red indi- beetroot, goat’s curd, lemon and Birmingham’s new Brazilian restaurant cates that you’d welcome a rest- seeds - and Moquecha: coconut, proves to be a carnivore’s paradise ing point. tomato, seasonal vegetables and rice. The first meat that my partner Located on the prestigious Col- clusive dining & events space, and I tried was the Alcatra There’s a selection of desserts more Row in the heart of Birm- suitable for larger groups of up to (rump) - a tender cut with a dis- too - for those who can squeeze ingham’s financial district, 60 people. tinctive meaty taste. It was ap- one in - featuring Brazilian sweet Fazenda, the latest addition to The Fazenda experience begins parent from the outset that we treats, a dulce de leche cake, the city’s flourishing restaurant with a visit to a gourmet sides were going to fall in love with white chocolate mousse, lime scene, fuses century-old gaúcho bar that features quality salads, Fazenda! cheesecake and more. traditions with rodizio dining. fresh-cut vegetables, breads, Next up came the restaurant’s It’s not just the food and drink A venue that’s nothing short of a cured meats, continental cheeses signature cut, the Picanha (cap that are wow factors at Fazenda; carnivore’s paradise, the Brazil- and hot dishes, including a tradi- of rump), which, as with its pre- it’s the whole package. ian restaurant chain opened its tional Brazilian Feijoada - bean decessor, was delicate, juicy and The decor - the signature flagship premises in Leeds in stew with meat. The trick here is full of flavour. Other beef options dark colour palette contrasted by 2011, following up with eateries not to over-indulge and save were Tritip (bottom sirloin), Filé warm, ambient lighting, cow in Liverpool, Manchester, Edin- plenty of room for the meats - all Mignon (beef tenderloin), Frald- hides and stucco walls - is simply burgh and, most recently, Brum. 15 of them. However, it’s difficult inha (beef skirt) and Contra Filet stunning. The service was exem- As well as meat, the Fazenda ex- to stay self-disciplined when ev- (sirloin). The butcher’s choice on plary too, the staff being friendly, perience is centred around erything looks and smells so de- the evening we visited was a gar- welcoming and knowledgable. exquisite wine, with the restau- licious. My plate featured a lic sirloin. Every cut tasted divine I very much look forward to re- rant having a dedicated working sizeable amount of fresh prawn, and was cooked beautifully. turning to Fazenda in the near salmon and avocado sushi, soy wine room featuring over 100 dif- The meats, much to our delight, future for round two. and sesame quail eggs, an- ferent blends. Regrettably, due to were served medium rare - the Lauren Foster chovies marinated in garlic, the fact that I was driving, I passadores did ask beforehand parsley olive oil and vinegar, a couldn’t take advantage of this whether this was okay with us. If black rice and squid dish, pan- Food: nnnnn on the evening I visited. How- you have a different preference, zanella, vine leaves, olives, and a Service: nnnnn ever, when I return - and I will be Fazenda will cater for it, which I beautifully creamy mushroom Ambience: nnnnn returning - indulge in fine red thought was a really nice touch stroganoff - all of which were de- Overall value nnnnn wine I most definitely will! considering it’s essentially, al- licious. OVERALL nnnnn The Birmingham restaurant though luxurious and upmarket, boasts 220 covers spread across Once you’re ready for the meats, an all-you-can-eat establish- Fazenda 10,000 sq ft. Guests can utilise you control the continuous ser- ment. 55 Colmore Row vice with a small double-sided the venue’s two private dining Aside from the beef, the menu Barwick St Entrance card that’s placed on your table. rooms for special occasions, or features lamb grilled with salt Birmingham The green side signals the chefs B3 2AA alternatively benefit from an ex- and brushed with mint sauce, Tel: 0121 728 5656 10 whatsonlive.co.uk Food January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 17:00 Page 2 Nick Hancock.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 10:54 Page 1

OCTOPUS SOUP! Midlander Nick Hancock chats about starring in a brand new play at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre Nick Hancock.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 10:54 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

Best known for presenting television sports quiz They Think It’s All Over and long-running comedy show Room 101, Midlands-born Nick Hancock next month makes a return to the limelight at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre, starring in brand new comedy Octopus Soup!. What’s On recently caught up with Nick to find out more...

When TV presenter and stand-up comedian “Quite often what happens in farce is that “The show’s central idea is of being swept up Nick Hancock took a 2005 sabbatical from ridiculous events are forced upon an unready into some sort of white-collar criminal showbusiness to work as a mortgage broker, stooge, which I think is going to be me, to tell enterprise without really knowing how it little did he know that the experience would you the truth!” happened. I liked the fact that it was quite prove to be the ideal preparation for a complex; all to do with algorithms and stuff The plot of Octopus Soup! revolves around starring role in Octopus Soup!, a new comedy that I would never be able to understand in a Nick’s character of Seymour, who, as one which shows at the Coventry Belgrade million years. But, of course, that’s exactly might expect from a man who makes risk Theatre next month. what insurance is all about - odds and critical assessments for a living, personifies the mass.” “My character in the play is a slightly down- phrase ‘belt and braces’. Seymour is on-his-luck insurance broker,” explains Nick, preparing for a life-changing conference call As for the title of the play, Nick is careful to who’s best remembered as the 1990s host of when bungling burglar Marvin (played by offer an explanation without giving away any TV shows They Think It’s All Over and Room Paul Bradley of EastEnders and Holby City spoilers: “The octopus soup is part of the 101. “The fact that I’ve actually done some fame) enters the stage and puts a spanner in sub-plot and is to do with cookery and work in insurance is one of the interesting the works. animal husbandry.” things about playing the role.” Nick is looking forward to working with an So what can audiences expect when they see The Stoke-born actor has been treading the ensemble cast: “I’ve seen them all before, the show? boards since joining the Cambridge they’ve all done lots of stage work, they’re all “It’s not Bertolt Brecht, put it that way, but University Footlights more than 30 years ago, far more experienced than me, and it’s I’m hoping that it’s going to be a slick, funny and is certainly looking forward to getting completely terrifying for me to work with farce and an enjoyable evening of nonsense back on stage with Octopus Soup!: “The them. All of their biographies are about 17 and fun. There are four brilliant actors, and thing that really struck me was the play’s pages long, whereas mine’s two paragraphs - me, in it, so that’ll be quite good. And do you farcical element. It’s very difficult with a new but hopefully I’ll learn something off them.” know what? If I’m terrible, that’ll make it play to have any real idea what it’s going to While 56-year-old Nick’s experience of the even more entertaining, and if I’m any good, be like until you start rehearsal, so it’s quite insurance industry provided him with an then I think it should be good. nice to take that risk every now and again.” insight into the world of underwriting, there “Octopus Soup! can be an escape from The recent Coventry Belgrade success of are other traits of Seymour’s character that whatever ails you, to tell you the honest Nigel Planer’s The Game Of Love And Chai is also appeal to him: “Seymour is very straight- truth. Well, unless your biggest problem is testament to the popularity of farce in laced and probably quite sheltered in his looking after your octopus, in which case I’m modern theatre, and Nick is confident that outlook, so it’s a case of ‘the innocent in the afraid it’s going to be a little bit of a busman’s this resurgence is not about to stop: “Maybe middle of the madness’. The more important holiday!” with farce, its time has come again. The thing about the character is that he’s a man classic Whitehall farces and the Georges of a certain age, who feels he may be in the Feydeau plays were pretty much one person last-chance saloon to make any sort of going out of rooms as one person was coming impact in his field of expertise. So that’s very Nick Hancock stars in Octopus Soup! at in, so I think the sh0w will be stage- easy for me to understand and very fitting to Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre from direction-heavy. my age. Sat 2 to Sat 16 February Rook&Bone.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 13:03 Page 1 GIGS January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:06 Page 2

Gigs

Ella Mai O2 Institute, Birmingham, Tues 8 January Rising R&B star Ella Mai enjoyed a phenome- nal 2018, working with John Legend and Chris Brown on her self-titled debut album. Not only has Ella won over UK crowds, she’s also broken a chart record in the US - her breakthrough single, Boo’d Up, reached quadruple-platinum and became the longest- running number one by a woman on the Bill- board R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart. She visits Birmingham this month as part of The Debut Tour.

The 1975 follow-up offering, I Like It When You Sleep, For You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware Of Arena Birmingham, Wed 23 January It. Fronted by lead vocalist and rhythm gui- Following a stint in rehab for heroin addic- tarist Matthew Healy, pop rock band The tion, Healy has rejoined the band for this 1975 achieved chart-topping success with short tour in support of their third album, A both their self-titled debut album and their Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships.

Ben Howard Bastille Craig Charles Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon 21 January O2 Academy, Birmingham, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Fri 18 January Tues 29 - Wed 30 January Ben Howard’s music has been described as ‘a Popular television actor and DJ Craig blissful blend of electronics, psychedelic pop, To say indie-pop four-piece Bastille have Charles is visiting Birmingham this month subtle strings and dreamily delivered lyrics’. had a whirlwind few years would be an un- with his highly rated Funk & Soul Club. With all that going for him, it’s hardly sur- derstatement. Their debut album, Bad The Coronation Street, Robot Wars and Red prising he’s basking in the glory of album Blood, was twice number one, certified dou- Dwarf star has captivated crowds through- success, following up the chart-topping I ble-platinum and named the biggest-selling out the UK and Europe, playing at festivals Forget Where We Were with the highly digital album of 2013. The band have since including Glastonbury, Love Box, Park Life, acclaimed Noonday Dream, released last won British Breakthrough Act at the 2014 Festival No 6 and Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul, year. All profits from Ben’s Birmingham show BRIT Awards and scored a second number to name but a few. will be donated to the Koestler Trust - a char- one with their follow-up album, Wild World, Gig-goers can expect a mixture of tracks ity which helps ex-offenders, secure patients in 2016. which have usually been covered and and detainees in the UK to express them- Ahead of the release of their hugely antici- remixed by current leading bands and DJs. selves creatively. pated third album, they’re heading out on an intimate headline tour to give fans an ex- clusive first listen to some of their new music.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals The Mill, Birmingham, Thurs 31 January Fronted by Huey Morgan, Fun Lovin’ Crimi- nals have been performing their trademark style of hip-hop rock for over 20 years. Stylistically and lyrically eclectic, hits like Scooby Snacks and Loco cover topics such as drug use and organised crime.

whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Classical January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:07 Page 1 Classical January Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:07 Page 2

Classical

Viennese New Year Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 6 January The City of Birmingham Symphony Or- chestra welcomes in the new year with an afternoon concert conducted by Martin Yates and featuring opera star Ilona Dom- nich (pictured) singing some of Viennese operetta’s most highly acclaimed numbers. The programme includes Vilja, Roses From The South, Vienna Blood, the Tritsch-Tratsch Polka and The Blue Danube.

CBSO: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 30 January The Grammy award which Augustin Hadelich (pictured) won in 2016 for his performance of Henri Dutilleux’s L'arbre des songes has now been joined in the classical violinist’s trophy CBSO: The Jane cabinet by Musical America magazine’s coveted ‘instrumentalist of the year’ gong. Augustin has certainly been no stranger to silverware since bursting onto the scene in the Austen Song Book mid-noughties, and this Symphony Hall concert provides Midlands audiences with the CBSO Centre, Birmingham, perfect opportunity to see exactly why the 34-year-old Italian is so widely admired. Thurs 10 January As well as Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, the programme also features Vaughan Williams’ Featuring music by Handel, Haydn, Gior- fourth symphony and Prokofiev’s The Love For Three Oranges. dani and Pleyel, this celebration of Jane Fast-rising star of the conducting world Cristian M celaru is the man on the podium. Austen’s love of music - she owned a li- ă brary of over 600 different songs and piano pieces at the time of her death - also Zelkova String Quartet Rafał Blechacz In Recital includes a number of readings from the Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 11 January Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 23 January author’s letters and novels. The concert sees members of the CBSO By the time the 20-year-old Rafał Blechacz using period instruments to offer a entered the Frederic Chopin International glimpse into Austen’s ‘elegant and inti- Piano Competition in 2005, he’d been play- mate musical world - from Regency ball- ing piano for 15 years and had bagged a few rooms to society salons’. awards. The Chopin competition, however, saw him reach a new level of excellence, becoming the only musician ever to win all A Viennese five first prizes. Indeed, one of the judges Strauss Gala said that Blechacz had ‘so outclassed the remaining finalists’ that no second prize The Core, Solihull, Tues 29 January could actually be awarded. Cleverly staged, authentically costumed Having made his and returning for a 16th year, A Viennese Kickstarting the Bromsgrove Concert pro- Birmingham debut in 2017, Strauss Gala offers its audiences the gramme for 2019, this prize-winning Rafał returns to the city chance to sample a bygone age of glam- Manchester-based quartet take their name this month with a orous soirees and Strauss waltzes. from the elegant Zelkova tree and include programme The production sees the European Orches- three siblings - Caroline, Ed and Jonathan featuring tral Ensemble performing alongside four Pether (Alex Mitchell is the fourth member). Mozart, soloists from major opera companies, pre- Favouring a relaxed approach to perfor- Beethoven, senting a concert that features some of the mance that sees them talking about their Schumann and great operettas of the Strauss family, concert programme to their audience, the ‘a very personal Kalman and Lehar, including Die Fleder- quartet here present music by four very dif- interpretation’ maus and The Merry Widow. If you’ve ferent composers - Haydn, Bartok, of Chopin’s seen the gala before, be sure to get along Beethoven and Judith Weir. Mazurkas. to this show, as it’s a brand new version. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Mark Kermode.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 18:12 Page 1

HOW DOES IT FEEL? Mark Kermode talks about a life of musical misadventures

16 whatsonlive.co.uk Mark Kermode.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 18:12 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

A well-respected film critic, journalist and musician, Mark Kermode this month takes to the stage at Birmingham Repertory Theatre to talk about his ‘foolhardy’ attempts to become a pop star - and the inspiration he took from some of music’s finest...

It takes some nerve to walk on stage at one of and there was a plan in it of how you could it because it just looked a funny shape!” London’s most prestigious venues and play build an electric guitar for £12. It said that So three years after Kermode’s last stage the theme from a critically acclaimed you could do it with really simple things and show, The Movie Doctors - in which he was European movie on an instrument that it would take two months to build. Well, it joined by Simon Mayo, his presenting partner you’ve never played before. actually took two years, but I did it. I built an on BBC Radio Five Live’s weekly film review electric guitar completely from scratch, but But for film critic, broadcaster, author and programme - what can audiences expect from by the time I’d finished building it, glam rock musician Mark Kermode, this is just one his latest theatrical offering? had gone out of fashion and everybody was example of his undying faith in the concept into punk, so the guitar was already “It’s me on stage for 90 minutes. I take of simply ‘having a go’ - a faith he’ll be outmoded by the time I started playing it.” questions from the audience and I attempt to talking about in Mark Kermode: How Does It demonstrate that anybody at all can play a Feel? when he visits the Birmingham Rep this The guitar was modelled on the Gibson musical instrument, as long as they’re month. The new show has been inspired by Flying V - the weapon of choice for axe enthusiastic about it. You don’t need to be his book of the same title. heroes like UFOs Michael Schenker and technically proficient, you just need to have a Wishbone Ash’s Andy Powell at a time when “My whole ethos to do with music is, how lot of front and not be scared of failure. the punk movement saw rock music as hard can it be?” explains Mark. “The book anathema. “We’ve been getting people out of the starts with me on stage with the BBC Concert audience to play blues harmonica and Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall in Mark’s homemade instrument may have been theremins. It’s a really good, fun show about London, about to play the theme from the unfashionable, but that wasn’t about to stifle the fact that nobody should be frightened of film Touchez Pas au Grisbi on the chromatic his musical ambitions: “I played that guitar musical instruments, and that if you’ve got harmonica, an instrument which I could not in a couple of school bands - the first band enough chutzpah and a following wind, play, was with David Baddiel - and it made me anyone can play anything. You may not be realise that you should never be scared of “It was a concert that was being broadcast brilliant at it, but it’s easier than you think to musical instruments. Once you’ve built a live on BBC Radio Three to a packed Hall, be adequate.” guitar, you go, ‘Okay, well, it’s not magic, it’s and the book starts with me on stage, literally just bits of glue and string’. Are there any instruments that Kermode thinking, ‘How on earth did I get here?” would like to tackle in the future? “I kept hold of that guitar, which was worth Kermode’s show focuses on a musical nothing at all, and years later my flat got “The theremin was the thing for ages. I’ve journey that began at school with a passion broken into. I also had a Fender Stratocaster now got two theremins and still can’t play for an iconic Midlands rock group: "I saw which was worth about £2,000. They stole either of them, but it doesn’t stop me from Slade In Flame, which is a film that I the guitar that I’d built and left the trying. absolutely love - and that’s where the title of Stratocaster behind!” my book and tour, How Does It Feel?, comes “I have this rule of trying to learn a new from; it’s a song that Slade do in the film. Kermode was inspired to build his guitar by instrument every year, at least to be able to Slade guitarist Dave Hill had these weird- the guitarist who’s most associated with play one song decently on a new instrument shaped guitars - one of them was shaped like playing a homemade instrument - Queen’s every year, and the saxophone is down for a machine gun and one had the words Super Brian May. next year. I look at those old pictures of Little Yob written on it.” Richard, when he had the three saxophones, “I thought, well, if Brian May can do it, and I’ve always thought it was an incredibly The teenage Kermode, inspired by Hill to get anyone can. I was always encouraged by the cool instrument, so I’d like to be able to play his hands around a fretboard, quickly story of May’s father taking the top of the that.” realised that his meagre pocket money was fireplace off to give his son a piece of wood to unlikely to stretch to a trip to his local music build the guitar out of. Brian May ended up store to belt out Smoke On The Water. making an instrument that’s become a classic, and I ended up making an Mark Kermode: How Does It Feel? shows “I wanted an electric guitar, but I couldn’t instrument that’s probably currently being at The REP, Birmingham, on Monday afford one, so I got a copy of a magazine used as a cricket bat by somebody who stole 21 January called Everyday Electronics, which was 20p,

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 p18.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:44 Page 1

18 whatsonlive.co.uk Reader's Awards 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:41 Page 2

Get VOTING for your favourite Midlands events, shows and venues in the... What’sOn Readers’ Awards 2019

Some of last year’s winners...

Best Midlands Music Venue - Symphony Hall, Birmingham Best Large Theatre - Birmingham Hippodrome Best Arts / Cultural Festival - Birmingham Weekender

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Reader's Awards 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:41 Page 3

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Reader's Awards 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 14:41 Page 4

#culturematters #artsmatters

Yes, it’s once again time for you to show just CATEGORIES INCLUDE: how much you appreciate Birmingham & Best Large Theatre the West Midlands’ ever-vibrant arts & Best Regional Theatre entertainment scene. Best Touring Musical Best Home Produced Show Nominate and vote online for your Best Touring Show favourites to help them secure a place in our Best Kids Show What’s On Readers’ Awards Best Classical Production Top 5 Shortlist. Best Orchestra Best Panto The shortlist will be announced in our Best Amateur Theatre Company February issue. You will then be able to Best Arts Venue VOTE for your WINNER in each category. Best Large Music Venue So get voting now! Best Regional Music Venue Best Band/Artist And complete our Readership Survey for the Best Exhibition chance to WIN £1,000 cash! Best Comedy Night VOTE for your NOMINATIONS Best Dance Production Best Visitor Attraction by Friday 18 January. Best Indoor Event WINNERS will be announced in the Spring. Best Outdoor Event Best Music Festival Best Arts/Cultural Festival Best Food Festival Best Independent Restaurant Best Independent Coffee Shop Best Independent Bar Best Touring Company - The Fizzogs Best Pantomime - Jack and The Beanstalk at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Best Artisan Market VOTE now at whatsonlive.co.uk

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Festivals 2019.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:23 Page 1

Festivals

When it comes to music, regardless of your preference - be it jazz, indie, folk, classical, world or pop - you’re almost certain to find a festival in the Midlands to suit your taste. And 2019 looks set to be another bumper year for the region’s festival-goers. Get your diary out and get booking!...

nounced. Sat 4 - Sun 5 May, O2 Sun 26 May, Riverside Park, Lechlade, in Nottingham. More information at APRIL Academy, Leicester. More information Gloucestershire. More information at dottodotfestival.co.uk at handmadefestival.co.uk lechladefestival.co.uk LICHFIELD BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & MUSIC FESTI- FORBIDDEN FOREST Line-up to be an- GLASTONBUDGET Line-up to be an- Line-up includes Soft Machine and VAL Line-up includes Martin Turner, nounced. Sun 5 May, Wymeswold Aer- nounced. Fri 24 - Sun 26 May, Turnpost Remi Harris. Thurs 30 May - Sun 2 June, Bernie Marsden and Big Wolf Band. drome, Leicestershire. More Farm, Leicestershire. More information various venues around Lichfield. More Thurs 18 - Mon 22 April, various information at forbidden-forest.co.uk at glastonbudget.org information at lichfield-jazz.co.uk venues in Nantwich. More information SWINGAMAJIG Line-up to be an- STAFFS FEST Line-up to be announced. WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- at nantwichjazz.com nounced. Sun 5 May, Venue to be an- Fri 24 - Sun 26 May, Lower Drayton cludes Chris While & Julie Matthews, DUBS IN WONDERLAND Line-up in- nounced, Birmingham. More Farm, Penkridge, Staffs. More informa- The Wilsons and Tom McConville cludes The SKA 45's, Rattlesnake Jake information at swingamajig.co.uk tion at staffsfest.co.uk Band. Thurs 30 May - Sun 2 June, The and Marquis Drive. Fri 19 - Mon 22 Whitby Club, Ellesmere Port. More in- FOCUS WALES Line-up includes Boy HOWTHELIGHTGETSIN The world’s April, Himley Hall, Dudley. More infor- formation at wirralfolkonthecoast.com Azooga, The Lovely Eggs and BC largest philosophy and music festival. mation at dubscollective.com Camplight. Thurs 16 - Sat 18 May, vari- Line-up to be announced. Fri 24 - Mon THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN ous venues in Wrexham, Wales. More 27 May, Hay on Wye, Hereford. More in- Line-up includes Big Country, Eagle information at focuswales.com formation at howthelightgetsin.org Eye Cherry, and Ian Prowse & Amster- MAY dam. Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June, Uttoxeter BEARDED THEORY Line-up includes CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- Racecourse. More information at Suede, The Wildhearts and Reef. Thurs cludes Blackbeard’s Tea Party, The CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up in- acousticfestival.co.uk 23 - Sun 26 May, Catton Hall, South Askew Sisters and Belshazzar’s Feast. cludes Gregory Porter, Sergio Mendes Derbyshire. More information at Fri 24 - Mon 27 May, Kelsall Village. WYCHWOOD MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up and Joshua Redman. Wed 1 - Mon 6 beardedtheory.co.uk More information at chesterfolk.org.uk to be announced. Fri 31 May - Sun 2 May, Montpellier Gardens, Chel- June, Cheltenham Racecourse. More tenham. More information at BREAKING BANDS Line-up includes NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER Line-up information at wychwoodfestival.com cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz Falling Red, Witch Tripper and Trucker includes George Ezra, Richard Ashcroft Diablo. Thurs 23 - Mon 27 May, Stoke and Primal Scream. Sat 25 - Sun 26 UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Prior Sports & Country Club, Broms- May, Victoria Park, Warrington. More Line-up includes Melrose Quartet, JUNE grove. More information at information at nbhdweekender.com Alice Jones and The Pigeon Swing. Fri breakingbandsfestival.com 3 - Mon 6 May, various venues, Upton BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line-up to be an- GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK Line-up in- upon Severn, Worcestershire. More in- MELLO Line-up includes Incognito, nounced. Sat 25 - Sun 26 May, Birming- cludes Skipinnish, Sam Kelly & The formation at uptonfolk.org Brand New Heavies, The Wonder Stuff, ham Gay Village. More information at Lost Boys and Blue Rose Code. Thurs 6 and Stereo MC’s. Fri 24 - Sun 26 May, birminghampride.com - Sun 9 June, Southwell Racecourse, LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up Seven End Country Estate, Hanley Cas- Nottinghamshire. More information at includes Tasmin Little, Ensemble 360 ROCK AND BOWL Line-up to be an- tle, Worcestershire. More information southwellfolkfestival.org.uk and Raphael Wallfisch. Fri 3 - Fri 10 nounced. Sat 25 - Mon 27 May, Picnic at mellofestival.co.uk May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Area, Market Drayton. More informa- DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Line-up includes Spa. More information at LECHLADE MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up in- tion at rockandbowlfestival.com Def Leppard, Slipknot and Tool. Fri 14 - leamingtonmusic.org cludes The Feeling, The Marley Experi- Sun 16 June, Donington Park, Derby. DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- ence and That 80s Rock Show. Fri 24 - More information at HANDMADE FESTIVAL Line-up to be announced. Sun 26 May, various venues

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals 2019.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:23 Page 2

downloadfestival.co.uk twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk Prestwold Hall, Leicestershire. More mation at justsofestival.org.uk information at barefootfestival.com FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL Line-up to be BROMSGROVE FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up SHAMBALA Line-up to be announced. announced. Sat 15 - Sun 16 June, Fox- includes Richard Digance, Churchfit- CARFEST NORTH Line-up includes Thurs 22 - Sun 25 Aug. A secret location ton Locks, Leicestershire. More infor- ters and The Bad Pennies. Thurs 11 - Clean Bandit, The Jacksons and All in Northampton. More information at mation at foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk Sun 14 July, various venues across Saints. Fri 26 - Sun 28 July, Bolesworth shambalafestival.org Bromsgrove. More information at Castle, Chester. More information at SOUNDSCAPE Line-up includes David CREAMFIELDS Line-up to be an- bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk carfest.org Guetta, Anne Marie and Years & Years. nounced. Thurs 22 - Sun 25 Aug, Sat 15 - Sun 16 June, Ricoh Arena, NOISILY FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- INDIE TRACKS Line-up to be an- Daresbury, Halton, Cheshire. More in- Coventry. More information at nounced. Thurs 11 - Mon 15 July, Coney nounced. Fri 26 - Sun 28 July, Butterley formation at creamfields.com soundscapeweekender.co.uk Woods at Noseley Hall, Leicestershire. Station, Derbyshire. More information BEERMAGEDDON FESTIVAL Line-up in- More information and tickets at at indietracks.co.uk NOCTURNE LIVE AT BLENHEIM PALACE cludes Face Up!, The Face Of Ruin and noisilyfestival.com Line-up includes Tears For Fears, Kylie MADE BIRMINGHAM Line-up to be an- Frozen In Shadows. Fri 23 - Sun 25 Aug, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Thurs 20 - Sun THE MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK AND SOUL FES- nounced. Sat 27 July, Perry Park, Birm- Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, 23 June, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. TIVAL Line-up includes Burt ingham. More information at Bromsgrove, Worcester. More informa- More information at nocturnelive.com Bacharach. Fri 12 - Sun 14 July, Mose- madebirmingham.com tion at beermageddon.co.uk ley Park, Birmingham. More informa- SONIC ROCK SOLSTICE 2019 Line-up in- SUNSHINE FESTIVAL Line-up includes tion at mostlyjazz.co.uk cludes Hawklords and Oresund Space 10CC, Peter Andre and The Osmonds. Collective. Thurs 20 - Sun 24 June, LICHFIELD ARTS PRESENTS FUSE Line- AUGUST Fri 23 - Sun 25 Aug, Fish Meadow, Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club, up to be announced. Fri 12 - Sun 14 Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire. Worcester. More information at July, Beacon Park, Lichfield, Stafford- 110 ABOVE FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- More information at sonicrocksolstice.com shire. More information at fuselich- nounced. Fri 2 - Sun 4 Aug, Gopsall uptonfestival.co.uk field.org.uk Hall Farm, Leicestershire. More infor- BEARDY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- CAMPER CALLING Line-up includes mation at 110above.com cludes 3 Daft Monkeys, Martyn Joseph LET’S ROCK SHREWSBURY Line-up in- Scouting For Girls, Melanie C, Feeder & and Urban Folk Quartet. Fri 21 - Sun 23 cludes The Human League, Sister BOARDMASTERS Line-up to be an- The Coral. Fri 23 - Sun 25 Aug, Ragley June, Hopton Court, Cleobury Mor- Sledge and Belinda Carlisle. Sat 13 July, nounced. Wed 7 - Sun 11 Aug, Water- Hall, Warwickshire. More information timer, Shropshire. More information at The Quarry, Shrewsbury. More infor- gate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall. More at campercalling.com beardyfolkfestival.co.uk mation at letsrockshrewsbury.com information at boardmasters.com THE BIG FEASTIVAL Line-up to be an- UPTON JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- NOZSTOCK Line-up to be announced. BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Line-up in- nounced. Fri 23 - Sun 25 Aug, Kingham, nounced. Thurs 27 - Sun 30 June, Vari- Thurs 18 - Sun 21 July, Rowden Pad- cludes Sabaton, Code Orange and Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. More ous venues in Upton-upon-Severn, docks, Bromyard, Herefordshire. More Scorpions. Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Aug, Cat- information at thebigfeastival.co.uk Worcestershire. More information at information at nozstock.com ton Hall, Derbyshire. More information SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up uptonjazz.co.uk at bloodstock.uk.com UPTON BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up in- includes Kate Rusby, Martyn Joseph, cludes Dave Ferra Allstars, Dino Bap- LAKEFEST Line-up includes Happy Skerryvore, Grace Petrie & the Phil JULY tiste & Night Train and The Achievers. Mondays, Bluetones and Red Hot Chilli Beer Band. Fri 23 - Mon 26 Aug, Green- Thurs 18 - Sun 21 July, various venues Pipers. Thurs 8 - Sun 11 Aug, Eastnor hous West Mid Showground, Shrews- around Upton upon Severn, Worcester- Castle, Herefordshire. More informa- bury. More information at NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be shire. More information at uptonblues- tion at lakefest.co.uk shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk announced. Fri 5 - Sat 6 July, Village festival.com Centre, Napton On The Hill, Warwick- ROCK THE PARK WREXHAM 2019 Line- OFF THE TRACKS Line-up to be an- shire. More information SUPERSONIC FESTIVAL Line-up to be up includes Basshunter, Metallica nounced. Fri 30 Aug - Sun 1 Sept, Don- naptonfestival.co.uk announced. Fri 19 - Sun 21 July, various Reloaded and Just Floyd. Fri 9 - Sun 11 ington Park Farmhouse, Derbyshire. venues around Birmingham, Solihull Aug, Borras Hall Lane, Wrexham. More More information at offthetracks.co.uk CAMPERJAM Line-up to be announced. and Sandwell. More information at su- information at rockthepark.co.uk MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Don McLean Fri 5 - Sun 7 July, Weston Park, Shrop- personicfestival.com shire. More information at FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL The first act announced as Sunday headliner. Fri 30 camperjam.com THE BIRMINGHAM, SOLIHULL & confirmed are Lindisfarne. Fri 9 - Sun Aug - Sun 1 Sept, Moseley Park, Birm- SANDWELL JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up to be 11 Aug, near Gatten Farm, Shropshire. ingham. More information at ALSO FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- announced. Fri 19 - Sun 28 July, The More information at moseleyfolk.co.uk nounced. Fri 5 - Sun 7 July, Park Farm, Crossing + Boxxed + Wilde Building in farmerphilsfestival.com Warwickshire. More information and Floodgate Street, Birmingham. More tickets at also-festival.com THE MOIRA FURNACE FOLK FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER information at Line-up includes Blackbeard’s Tea TIMBER FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- birminghamjazzfestival.com Party, Anthony John Clarke Band and BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up to nounced. Fri 5 - Sun 7 July, Feanedock, WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up to be ALAW. Fri 16 - Sun 18 Aug, Moira Fur- be announced. Thurs 5 - Sun 8 Sept, The National Forest. More information announced. Thurs 25 - Sun 28 July, nace Museum and Monument Site, Bromyard, Herefordshire. More infor- and tickets at timberfestival.org.uk Warwick School and Warwick Town Derbyshire. More information at mation at bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk THE ROCK AND BIKE FEST Line-up in- Centre. More information at warwick- moirafurnacefolkfestival.co.uk folkfestival.co.uk cludes The Quireboys, ACDC UK and OLD BUSH BLUES FESTIVAL Line-up in- Dr. Feelgood. Thurs 11 - Sat 13 July, OCTOBER DEERSTOCK Line-up to be announced. cludes Northsyde, The Achievers and Carnfield Hall, Derbyshire. More infor- Fri 26 - Sun 28 July, Newton Cross Will Wilde. Fri 16 - Sun 18 Aug, The mation at rockandbikefest.co.uk Country Course, Nottinghamshire. Old Bush, Callow End Worcester. More LICHFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOLK Line-up 2000TREES FESTIVAL Line-up to be an- More information at deerstock.co.uk information at oldbushblues.co.uk includes Home Service and John Tams. nounced. Thurs 11 - Sat 13 July, Upcote Fri 18 - Sun 20 Oct, venues around BAREFOOT FESTIVAL Line-up includes THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Line-up to be Farm, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Lichfield, Staffordshire. More informa- The Social Ignition, Moscow Drug Club announced. Fri 16 - Sun 18 Aug, Rode More information at tion at lichfieldarts.org.uk and Strizzy Strauss. Fri 26 - Sun 28 July, Hall Parkland, Cheshire. More infor-

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Stephen K Amos.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 10:55 Page 1 Stephen K Amos.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 10:55 Page 2

STEPHEN K AMOS A combination of quality material and an effortless ability to strike all the right notes with his audience has made Stephen K Amos one of the UK’s best-loved comedians. His current success is a far cry from his early years in the business, when opportunities for black comics were few and far between and Stephen would joke that his only chance of working on TV would be if Lenny Henry died. What’s On caught up with the London-born comedian ahead of his late-month appearance in Coventry...

There’s good reason why Stephen K Amos is Brexit, but I try to tackle them by using really had time to stop, take stock and think. considered a seriously feelgood comedian. another example of something just as It’s all about going out there and listening to His years of touring the nation with crowd- ridiculous. But I don’t mention any names people’s laughter or their reactions to what pleasing shows have seen him build up a and will try to do it in a subtle way. At the I’m saying. At one show, one lad felt loyal fanbase who know that he’ll provide beginning of a tour, I start off with a script, confident about being out and proud at the them with an evening of non-stop laughter. but it changes depending on world events age of 15 - something I couldn’t have done. and my own mood. Things are constantly Those moments make it all worthwhile.” With his new show, Bouquets And Brickbats, happening.” Stephen is promising the usual quota of gags As well as making people laugh in the live and funny stories, but on this occasion he’s One thing that Stephen most certainly won’t arena, Stephen also has his own podcast, also being contemplative about the universe. be doing is shouting down the opinions of The Stephen K Amos Talk Show, the first anyone in his audience. He knows full well series of which came out on Audible in “I picked that title because the last 18 months that there will be people coming to his shows August and reached number one in Australia. have been awful, both personally and for the from both sides of the EU referendum debate, A second series should be available world at large. Some things are so joyful on and he’s more than willing to hear their sometime during the tour. Meanwhile, he has one hand, and on the other, so devastating. viewpoints. Not all current comedians are of plans to spend a few months working in the So I was trying to find a way of saying that the same mindset, though. US during 2019. “I think this is the right time some days are rosy and other days are to go to America, as Brits are doing very well downright shitty.” “I was doing a late-night show in Edinburgh out there - the likes of James Corden, John with a mixed line-up, and a very well- Across 2017 and ’18, Stephen has lost both his Oliver, Gina Yashere and Idris Elba.” respected comic slammed down a woman mother and his twin sister, and working who admitted that she’d voted for Brexit. I For now, though, Stephen is very much through this sadness has given his comedy a thought that wasn’t very fair because people looking forward to getting out and about in different perspective. “I never thought I could are entitled to their own opinions - and the UK and meeting his fans. “I love touring, do something like this, as my whole thing instead of tackling this in a creative way, he’d and I’m very grateful that people still want to has been to keep them laughing and not to just slagged her off and probably made sure come out and see me because I don’t do that hold the silence. But I’ve now found out that that she’d never admit to anything like that much on TV these days. I try to mix it up and it’s more powerful to hold the silence. That again in any situation. I think we should be go to venues and cities and towns that I whole thing about losing people and death is able to sit down and discuss things in an haven’t been to before, or I’ll go back to a bit in the show where there’s a silence in adult way. When it descends into abuse, places and play bigger venues. Travelling the room and you can hear a penny drop. For you’ve lost the argument.” around does give you an idea of the mood of me, that’s a bit weird.” the nation. Live comedy is thriving, and In this fractured world, how does Stephen Not only is Stephen a highly popular stand- people are coming out to see lots of different stay positive? “I get my positivity from up, he’s also a potent social commentator, a kinds of comedy. It’s great that people are human beings. Something good happens on fact he’s proved across the years with touring prepared to listen to a person on stage saying a daily basis: a text from someone, a stranger shows like The Spokesman and World whatever they like. That’s one of the doing something nice for you on the street, or Famous, his award-winning Channel Four beautiful things about this job. Unlike someone just saying something positive. We documentary Batty Man, and radio television, radio or newspaper print, I can all have a story to tell; you might see a programmes such as What Does The K Stand literally say whatever I want.” façade, but you never know what’s going on For? You can rest assured that he will be inside a person. Sometimes people have looking to tap into the issues of the day come up to me after this show with tears in during this latest tour, albeit in his own their eyes or wearing a badge for breast distinctive style. “I don’t want people to sigh Stephen K Amos plays Warwick Arts cancer or something, and it’s about being when I mention the likes of Trump and Centre, Coventry, on Saturday 26 January touched by other people’s stories. I haven’t Comedy January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:13 Page 1

Comedy

Daisy Earl Comedy Loft, Birmingham, Sat 19 January Late-blooming and fast-rising comedian Daisy Earl finds humour in the everyday events and experiences of life, her subjects ranging from incompetence on the dating scene to her struggle to focus on important political issues despite her low boredom threshold. Daisy appears at The Comedy Loft this month in a line-up that also features Rudi Lickwood and Hayley Ellis.

Sam Avery The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 19 January As his new show is all about the perils of being a hapless learner-parent to toddlers, Sam Avery often finds himself being asked whether his twins will be putting in an appearance on the night. “No chance,” he says. “They’re way funnier than me. I’ll look crap in compar- ison.” Sam’s hoping the show will win him a whole new audience, and is encouraging fans to bring along their friends: “I’ll win them over with my cheeky northern charm,” he says. “And if that fails, I’ll hit them with some high-quality knob gags.” Jason Manford Gary Delaney Aatif Nawaz Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 22 January; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, The Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sat 26 January Fri 15 February South Shropshire, Fri 18 January; The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 26 January; Warwick Becoming successful in comedy is no walk Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 24 February; in the park, as Jason Manford knows. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 28 February And the former One Show presenter has “The hardest part of running competitively some sage advice for wannabe comedians: in Wales must be keeping up with the “Don’t take any of my work! I would also say Joneses,” quips the Solihull-born Gary De- to people, compare yourself to yourself. laney. Don’t think, ‘Why has that guy got that?’ or And Gary’s certainly no one-gag pony: “It ‘Why is Michael McIntyre doing so well?’ or turns out that one of my ancestors was ‘I’m really funny, so why is so-and-so doing Arabian, lived in a lamp, and granted peo- that gig, not me?’ You know what, just don’t ple three wishes. It’s amazing what you worry about it. If can find out from a genieology test.” you’re doing Or how about: “Tom Cruise could have better now than made a lot more films if he wasn't you were six “There shouldn’t be this abstract idea of constantly getting months ago, ‘making it’,” explains Aatif Nawaz. “You caricatures of his face then you’re do comedy for the joy of doing it. I love done in Leicester doing well.” Square.” eliciting the raw response of a laugh, and I enjoy being energetic on stage too. That said, I do know stand-ups who’re more deadpan than me and do equally as well.” Presenting a storytelling style of comedy that sees him combining puns with a deeper message, Aatif visits Birmingham with a brand new show that’s being described as ‘a hilarious assault on the impa- tience and entitlement of the 21st century’. 24 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:13 Page 2

Nish Kumar Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 25 January; Dudley Town Hall, Fri 15 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sunday 17 February; Oakengates Theatre at The Place, Telford, Shropshire, Fri 22 February “Once you get established as a comedian,” says Nish Kumar, “you have to start taking comedy seriously, which is obviously an oxymoron. When you’re a nobody, you can just go up to the Edinburgh Fringe, get drunk and have fun.” Nish’s days of anonymity, inebriated or otherwise, are now behind him. The Croyden- born comedian has hit the big time - and even more impressively, he’s done so simply by being his usual affable self. Touring later in 2019

Eddie Izzard Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 17 - Sat 21 September Not many comedians make it to god-like building his reputation with material status through stand-up alone. Jerry Sein- based around skewed logic and surreal feld had a TV show, while Saturday Night tangents. Live alumni like Steve Martin and Bill Mur- For his autumn 2019 visit to Birmingham, ray used the movies to make it big. Only he’s presenting Wunderbar, a brand new performers like Bill Hicks, Jackie Mason show “about everything from humans over and Lenny Bruce managed it through stage the last 100,000 years to talking dogs and work alone - but you can definitely add animal superheroes”. Following the tour, Eddie Izzard to that list. Eddie intends to step away from the com- Eddie’s worked a live crowd for more years edy scene in order to concentrate on be- than he probably cares to remember, coming mayor of London. Mandy Muden Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 25 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 15 February Josh Widdicombe Magic and comedy combine when former Birmingham Hippodrome, Sun 13 October; Britain’s Got Talent contestant Mandy Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 14 Octo- Muden takes to the stage. A member of Lon- ber; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 7 November don's famous Inner Magic Circle, Mandy is visiting the Midlands as part of her first ever Peddling a nice line in exasperated, self- solo tour, presenting a show that brings to- deprecating humour, Devon-raised funny- gether ‘amazing tricks, razor-sharp wit and man Josh Widdicombe pumps out cleverly lots of audience participation’. crafted gags at a brisk pace, hitting the mark with the vast majority of his material. Widdicombe’s jokes include: “Hotdogs cause bum cancer - that was the original slogan for McDonald's before ‘I'm loving it’.” There’s also: “I’ve no idea what the story- line of Monopoly is. Seemingly I’m a tiny dog who repeatedly wins beauty contests, on his birthday demands £10 from every- Touring body he can see, and then bankrupts him- later in self to stay in a hotel when he owns four houses on the next street!” 2019

whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Sandi T.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 09:23 Page 1 Sandi T.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 09:23 Page 2 national trevor Sandi Toksvig brings her new tour to the Hippodrome

Sandi Toksvig is remembering a terrific occa- During the show, Sandi invites the audience "For a brief moment we can forget about sion at the Festival Hall in London 4 years to help her conduct a piece of music, too. "I Brexit or whatever it is we're worrying about ago. “My wife and I renewed our wedding get them to conduct Beethoven's Ode to Joy. I and lose ourselves in the show. That's good vows on the stage. It was a small gathering, a chose that piece because Beethoven was deaf for us. We feel better." few family – and a thousand of my close by the time he completed it. One of the main themes of "National Trevor" friends. It was held on the day that same sex "It's remarkable to want to create music when is our current fixation with celebrity. Sandi marriages were made legal. you can't hear it. On the night of the pre- explains that, "The thing I'm slightly ob- “It was astonishing, you know. I invited 150 miere, he was seen running through the sessed with is our whole attitude to fame. family and friends, and let it be known to the streets shouting, 'Grab life by the throat!' There is a new trend of calling people a 'Na- general public that if anybody wanted to That's what I'm saying in this show." tional Treasure'. come, they were most welcome. The hall was Sandi adds that, "Whenever I see people "I don't know where it's come from, but I full. There were literally thousands of people. wearing a T-shirt that says,' Living the heartily disapprove. I think everybody has It was every kind of person you could possi- Dream,' I think, 'You're totally not.' I want something to commend them. Everyone has a bly imagine. It was very jolly. The only draw- to tell them, 'If you had to buy a T-shirt say- story where you go, 'Really?' We don't get to back was that there wasn’t enough cake!” ing that, it's not working'." hear their stories of extraordinary endeav- This story tells you everything about the pre- ours." The aspect of the tour Sandi is most looking senter’s popularity. She’s the sort of ap- forward to is the audience interaction. She Sandi proceeds to outline where the show's proachable, lovable figure everyone adores the spontaneity of it all. "I can't wait title comes from. "One day, a friend of mine considers their friend. You will not find any- to get out there. The best bit is not me talking was being extremely rude to me . A lot of my one who doesn’t like Sandi Toksvig. She is a to them - it's them talking to me. Me talking? friends are - I encourage it! So in the middle national treasure. Not so interesting. Them talking? Very inter- of this argument, I said to her, 'Don't you Which brings us to her latest UK tour, which esting! know I'm a National Treasure?' is entitled “National Trevor.” In person, "You never quite know what is going to hap- "And she replied,'You're a National Trevor?' Sandi is every bit as delightful as you would pen. The unexpected stuff is always the Then her husband said, 'Who's been calling hope. Offscreen, she is just as warm, witty, most enjoyable part. The most unexpected her Trevor?' Now they call me Trevor. So welcoming and generally wonderful as she is thing that ever happened in a show took that's why I gave the show this title. I'm going on screen. She is marvellous company, and place during a Q and A in Bradford. A woman round the country looking for all the National an hour with her simply flies by. asked me what my bra size was. I couldn't re- Trevors. I'm celebrating people." Over a burger in a central London hotel, member, so she had to come up on stage and Sandi muses on what she hopes audiences Sandi is brimming with excitement about the have a look!" will take away from "National Trevor." "I forthcoming tour, which kicks off at The Sandi, who was a very popular host of Radio hope they think that they have had a really Lowry in Salford on Wednesday 9 January. 4's News Quiz for a decade, proceeds to un- good evening, that they're had a great laugh After a spell making such hugely popular TV derscore her love of live performance. "The and that I'm much younger, taller and thin- shows as The Great British Bake Off and QI, other reason to do a live show is that there is ner in the flesh!" Sandi can’t wait to come face-to-face with her still something magical about sharing an Before she has to go off to another gig, Sandi audience again in a show that will feature a evening out at the theatre. decides to order an alcohol-free cocktail to Q&A and lots and lots of excellent jokes. "When actors stand backstage before a per- clear her throat. It's called, "Endless Joy." In addition, Sandi will be regaling audiences formance, we listen to the sound of the audi- Quick as a flash, Sandi jokes: "That should with a raft of funny facts."I'm endlessly inter- ence. We say, 'They're a bit Monday night' or be the title of my next live show." ested in things," confirms the 60-year-old. "I 'They're a bit Saturday matinee'. A distinct think detail is terribly funny. Did you know personality overtakes an entire group of peo- Well, I'd go and see that, wouldn't you? that the glue on Israeli postage stamps is ple." Kosher?" The theatre also demands a focus that we Sandi Toksvig brings her National Trevor "National Trevor" also showcases a general sometimes lack in other parts of our life. "It's tour to Birmingham Hippodrome Fri 1 Feb knowledge quiz. "I don't know if you want to about getting people to put their phones & Sat 2 Feb 2019 win it," Sandi smiles, "because then you have away, have an engagement with the show to come up on stage and talk to me all about and listen to other people laughing - hope- your life!" fully - or weeping! Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 13:09 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Ghost The Musical the next, desperately attempts to communicate with his girlfriend, Molly, and warn her that she’s in mortal danger from his murderer. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 22 - Sat 26 January A timeless tale about the power of love that beautifully blends the This ever-popular stage version of the award-winning film starring genres of romance and comedy, Ghost features The Righteous Broth- Patrick Swayzee, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg makes a welcome ers’ Unchained Melody and numerous songs co-written by Euryth- return to the Midlands. For those not in the know, the production tells mics’ Dave Stewart. the story of a ghost named Sam who, caught between this world and

Living With The Lights On The Tale Of Robin Hood An Indian Abroad The REP, Birmingham, Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 22 - Sat 26 January Wed 2 - Sat 5 January Fri 18 & Sat 19 January Mark Lockyear’s confessional solo show has The always-exceptional Jars Of Clay Theatre Writer and performer Pariah Khan’s debut been widely praised since making its debut Company are the ensemble behind this one-man show takes the familiar concept of in 2016. The production sees the actor taking brand new telling of an age-old story. white adventurers exploring foreign lands his audience back to the mid-1990s and a The show is firmly aimed at family audi- and spins it on its head, recounting the expe- time when he was appearing for the RSC in ences and comes complete with ‘action, ad- riences of a middle-class Indian who pays a Stratford-upon-Avon; a time, too, when his venture, music and romance’. visit to ‘the exotic island of Great Britain’. undiagnosed bipolar disorder led to him Rising-star Khan (real name Hari Ramakrish- thinking he was possessed by the devil... nan) is an exceptional talent who aims to The Singular Exploits challenge his audience’s way of thinking Of Sherlock Holmes while at the same time making them laugh. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 16 January This one-man homage to the world’s greatest fictional detective finds Holmes recalling some of his most memorable cases and das- tardly adversaries. The production is being presented by highly rated Midlands company Don’t Go Into The Cellar, who describe themselves as the UK’s ‘finest practitioners of theatrical Victoriana in a macabre vein’. 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 13:09 Page 2 Doctor Dolittle.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 10:57 Page 1 Doctor Dolittle.qxp_Layout 1 20/12/2018 10:57 Page 2

Talking to the animals... Midlands-born actor Mark Williams will be chatting to some splendidly exotic furred and feathered friends when he takes the title role in Leslie Bricusse’s Doctor Dolittle The Musical at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this month. We recently caught up with Mark to find out what audiences can expect...

Do you ever wish that you could talk to the tion of the show for Mark was its use of pup- The prospect of touring is also something animals? Well, there’s a certain gentleman pets: “Using puppets that can dance, sing that appeals to Mark. “I was touring way stopping off in Wolverhampton late this and move in a completely different way adds back and have toured all my life, so it’s nor- month who can do just that. a whole other layer that fascinates me. In the mal for me. Besides, it makes home all the film, it was real animals, and then on stage it sweeter.” His name is Dr John Dolittle - an English was animatronics - but this time around, it’s physician from the West Country village of Joining Mark on tour is Vicky Entwistle, fa- completely different. Puddleby-on-the-Marsh and the title charac- miliar to soap fans as Coronation Street’s ter in family-friendly stage show Doctor Dolit- “It also seemed like the right time to do the loud and lairy Janice Battersby. Donning tle The Musical. Created in the World War show again. With all due respect to other pro- feathers and a beak to play Polly the Parrot, One trenches by author Hugh Lofting - ap- ductions, I don’t think Doctor Dolittle has who teaches Doctor Dolittle the language of pearing in the serviceman’s illustrated letters been done justice to, and I think it’s the right the animal kingdom, Vicky is no stranger to home to his children - Doctor Dolittle is this time to talk about taking care of animals. musical theatre, having played Madame Thé- month being brought to life on the Grand nardier in the West End production of Les “Leslie Bricusse was really interested in look- Theatre stage by Bromsgrove-born actor Mark Misérables. ing again at a new adaptation, and we now Williams, making his musical theatre debut. have the chance to interact in a much more “Polly is very old, very wise and extremely Best known of late as television’s Father dramatic way. And that superhero skill of funny,” she explains. “She’s also quite Brown, Mark’s CV also features 1980s sketch talking to the animals really interested me cheeky and is the only animal that can speak phenomenon The Fast Show, the 1996 film because it opens up a whole other universe.” human and all the animal languages. Doctor version of 101 Dalmatians, and the hugely Dolittle is taken aback when he first realises. For those not familiar with the show, it re- popular Ha He thinks rry Potter series of movies, in counts the story of Doctor Dolittle’s journey he’s the clever one, but really Polly which he played the character of Mr Weasley. is always giving him clues and leading him in to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail, a magical the right direction.” Promising song, dance, ‘stunning’ puppetry creature that holds the secret of life and how and fun for all the family, the current tour of to make the world a happier place. The good Vicky is delighted to be playing Polly, and Leslie Bricusse’s Doctor Dolittle is celebrating doctor is accompanied on his quest by a any initial fears about taking on the role were the 50th anniversary of the much-loved film menagerie of exotic animals, including the quickly allayed by the fact that she would be version starring Rex Harrison. Pushmi-Pullyu and his trusty sidekick, Poly- in the company of two old friends: “I worked nesia the Parrot. with Mark on Father Brown, and with Brian “I’ve always wanted to do a musical, but the Capron (who plays the vivacious Albert Blos- timing has never worked out,” explains ‘There are lots of things in the show that kids som and the mighty Straight Arrow) on Coro- Mark, who has previously been offered the especially will find hilarious,” says Mark. nation Street, so that’s really helped. I have role of Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. “I nearly “After all, what’s not funny about a naughty my two pals to keep me company.” did My Fair Lady recently. I got so close to it, monkey? And the great thing is that it’s all but there were problems with American Eq- live! For kids, going to the theatre for the first uity and it fell through. So when Doctor Dolit- time is like having only watched football on Doctor Dolittle The Musical shows at tle came along, I said yes, definitely yes!” the telly and then going to a match. It hap- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from pens right there in front of you. This is the Alongside his desire to do a musical and the Tuesday 29 January to Saturday 9 real deal - and with all the puppetry, it will be fact that it’s a milestone tour, another attrac- February really exciting.” Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 13:09 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Fame The Musical Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 28 January - Sat 2 February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 15 - Sat 20 April; Malvern Theatres, Mon 8 - Sat 13 July One of the world’s best-loved shows, Fame The Musical explores the tumultuous teenage years of students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts. This 30th anniversary touring production stars former Hollyoaks favourite Jorgie Porter as spoilt and stuck-up rich girl Iris. Jorgie is a firm believer in Fame’s universal qualities. Its storylines focus on numerous subjects that are close to the hearts of young people today, including prejudice, identity, sexuality and first love. “Adolescents are more involved in tackling these issues head-on nowadays,” says Jorgie, “and it’s definitely interesting to see how a musical that originally came from a film made in the 1980s can still be so relevant now.”

Steaming A Christmas Carol to find some common ground regarding how MAC, Birmingham, Thurs 17 & Fri 18 January Royal Shakespeare Theatre, best to move forward in Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 20 January Nell Dunn’s wickedly witty comedy, set in the terms of nationality and forbidden world of an all-female steamroom, internationality, theatre sees four women coming together to expose and politics. themselves on pretty much every level imag- inable. The show is being presented by a cast and crew of young people. Robin Hood And The Revolting Peasants Dirty Dusting The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, Fri 11 January; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Lichfield Garrick, Fri 25 January Sun 13 January When overzealous office manager Dave de- Zany funsters Oddsocks put their own unique cides to put his cleaners, Gladys, Elsie and Of all Charles Dickens’ festive stories, A spin on the legend of Robin Hood when they Olive, out to pasture, the three women won- Christmas Carol reigns supreme. The cov- visit the region this month. The long-estab- der how they’re ever going to make ends etous sinning of the miserly Scrooge, the lished company most often present high-jinx meet. Until, that is, they have the brilliant eternal hope offered by Tiny Tim, and the versions of Shakespeare plays, so it’s nice to idea of setting up The Telephone Belles - ‘a eerie visions of redemption - visiting see them taking their repertoire of men-in- dirty sex chatline that really cleans up’! Ebenezer in the shape of three seasonal tights productions in an altogether different ghosts - all combine to give this classic cau- direction. tionary tale a real olde worlde charm. The RSC production has been penned by David Edgar, whose previous work for the Company includes an award-winning adaptation of Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby.

Commonism The REP, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Fri 11 January Two award-winning theatre-makers - the UK's Andy Smith and Norway's Amund Sjølie Sveen - discuss the state of the world. Taking part in a performed conversation, they hope

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Theatre

Kinky Boots Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 28 January - Sat 9 February; Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 11 - Sat 23 March The newly appointed manager of his late father’s shoe factory in Northampton, Charlie Price has got some tough decisions to make as he attempts to save the strug- gling business. After a chance meeting with drag queen Lola, Charlie identifies a potentially lucrative niche market - creat- ing footwear to cater for men who dress as women... A topical story about diversity and accep- tance, Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name and features music & lyrics by ’80s pop star Cyndi Lauper. Ex- pect a feelgood evening of catchy tunes, fierce anthems and warm-hearted humour.

tious libel’ when he dares to parody religious Timon Of Athens The Verdict texts, the government and the monarchy. Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, If the reviews are anything to go by, this is an Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Fri 22 February Wed 30 January - Sat 2 February evening of theatre that’s well worth catching. Barry Reed’s 1980 novel is best known from This new RSC production provides a not-to- the Oscar-nominated film adaptation starring be-missed opportunity to check out one of Paul Newman and James Mason. The Circus Of Horrors Shakespeare’s least-performed plays. A dark When washed-up lawyer Frank Galvin takes satire questioning whether anything can be The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Thurs 10 considered of true value in a world of unfet- on a medical malpractice case that no one January; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 15 thinks he can win, he finds unexpected sal- January; Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Thurs tered greed, the production stars Kathryn vation from his addiction to drink... 17 January Hunter as Timon, a woman who finds herself Presented by the much-admired Middle An off-kilter affair that bears more resem- alone and without influence when her wealth Ground Theatre Company, the production blance to a freak show than any modern defi- runs out and her friends desert her. stars former Emmerdale actor Ian Kelsey. nition of a circus, the one-time Britain’s Got Talent finalists here present a world beyond political correctness and taste. With the performers dressed in a manner reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Show, there’s no denying the ensemble’s sheer ‘wow’ factor. Giving a nod to one of Circus Of Horror’s previous and most popular productions - The Asylum - this latest offering takes place in the dubious company of the deranged serial killers inhabiting the Psycho Ward... Hoppers Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 29 & Wed 30 January When Sal’s husband dies, she finds herself Trial By Laughter embarking on an adventure that sees her Malvern Theatres, Mon 21 - Sat 26 January hopping from one football ground to another, eager to fulfill her late spouse’s non-league Ian Hislop and Nick Newman follow up their legacy... success with The Wipers Time with this story Hoppers is presented by the Birmingham- of a David-versus-Goliath-style battle set in based Gritty Theatre, an ensemble who pro- the early 19th century. At the centre of their duce plays which fly the flag for their home tale is satirist William Hone, ‘the forgotten city. In the process, they endeavour to engage hero of free speech’, who finds himself with people who might not ordinarily be charged with ‘impious blasphemy and sedi- tempted to watch a live theatrical production. 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 13:09 Page 6

Theatre previews from around the region

The Snowman The Tiger Who Emily Brown And The REP, Birmingham, Came To Tea The Thing Wed 16 - Sat 26 January Symphony Hall, Birmingham, The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Making a welcome return to The Rep in its until Sun 13 January until Sun 6 January traditional New Year slot, Raymond Briggs' When young Emily Brown and her best pal - The Snowman is best known, of course, for toy rabbit Stanley - discover a Thing crying Howard Blake's classic song, Walking In The outside their bedroom window, they can’t Air... When a young boy’s snowman comes to help but try to assist him... Adapted from the life on Christmas Eve, the two set off on a book of the same name by Cressida Cowell, nighttime quest for excitement. On their trav- the author behind the famous How To Train els they meet reindeer, dancing penguins and Your Dragon series, this witty and some of the Snowman’s many and varied heartwarming children’s show is presented friends. The adventure's not without its anxi- by the ever-magical Tall Stories theatre eties, however, with the wicked Jack Frost company. eager to get his icy mits on the pair of unlikely chums...

The tea-guzzling tiger is back in town, drop- ping in on Sophie and her mum just as they’re settling down for an afternoon cuppa... Adapted by David Wood from Judith Kerr’s 1968 book, this 55-minute show features some splendid singalong songs and boasts plenty of magic - not to mention a big, stripey tiger, of course! Suitable for youngsters aged three and older.

Pantos in January Dick Whittington: Robin Hood The Rock And Roll Panto Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 6 January Aladdin Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, until Sun 6 January ‘Son of the Potteries’ Jonathan Wilkes dons Palace Theatre, Redditch, until Sun 6 January As usual, Stafford Gatehouse’s Christmas the tights to star as Sherwood Forest’s most A perfect story for an evening of family enter- show features all manner of familiar pan- famous outlaw. Fellow Regent pantomime tainment finds street youth Aladdin trying tomime elements and a high-energy sound- regular Christian Patterson takes on the role against all odds to win the hand of the beau- track of chart-busting hits. of Friar Tuck. tiful princess - and being helped in his en- deavours by the mystical genie of the lamp... Mother Goose Sleeping Beauty Cinderella Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, until Sat 5 until Sun 6 January January; The Core, Solihull, until Sun 6 Jan- The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, uary; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, until Sun until Sun 6 January Theatre Severn’s favourite panto dame, Brad 13 January Fitt, takes the title role in a show that boasts Oakengates Theatre’s panto version of Cin- Sleeping Beauty’s taking a nap at venues 3D effects, singing & dancing galore and derella features CBeebies star Joe Chambers across the Midlands, including the Coventry plenty of family-friendly humour. and ’90s pop singer Anna Kumble. Belgrade, whose show is written and directed EastEnders actor Tony Discipline plays Prince by Iain Lauchlan, and the Wolverhampton Charming. Peter Pan Grand Theatre, where Strictly Come Danc- Birmingham Hippodrome, ing’s Debbie McGee stars alongside Sooty Dick Whittington until Sun 27 January and Doreen ‘Lazy Cow’ Tipton. Jimmy Osmond takes top billing as wicked pi- Lichfield Garrick, until Sat 5 January; The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, rate Captain Hook in a show that also fea- Snow White And The until Sat 5 January tures Meera Syal, making her pantomime Seven Dwarfs debut as the Magical Mermaid, and Union J Dick Whittington undertakes his legendary Malvern Theatres, until Sun 6 January journey to London - but not before stopping star Jaymi Hensley - another panto first-timer Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to Malvern we go! off at a couple of Midlands theatre venues. - in the role of Peter Pan. Su Pollard heads the cast as the ever-so-nasty Both shows come complete with all the usual Hippodrome favourite Matt Slack makes a Wicked Queen. Hi-de-hi! panto trimmings. welcome return to star as Smee.

whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Swan Lake.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 17:10 Page 1

32 whatsonlive.co.uk Swan Lake.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 17:10 Page 2 Swanning about

Matthew Bourne gives his iconic masterpiece a new lease of life

First staged in 1995 and the longest-running stable, as one of our associates for the show. time classic? ballet in the West End and on Broadway, Paule has never seen our Swan Lake before - “We’re a contemporary dance theatre com- Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake is best known not on film or on stage - so we’ll get a company, so we had to tell a story through move- for the fact of having an all-male cast. pletely fresh approach from her, and I don’t ment in a different way, and it needed a big Twenty-four years after the show’s premiere, know what it will look like yet. It’s definitely idea to make people see it in a different way Bourne has decided to restage what is widely going to look different, as Paule’s a differen t as well. So the male swans were the big idea, considered to be his most-admired work. kind of designer, so that will be a big change. and a secondary big idea was modern royal “It’s always exciting to bring back Swan “We’ve got a completely new cast as well. scandal. This was in the news all the time Lake,” says Matthew. “So many people love There are lots of new dancers who will bring while we were making the piece, with Diana it, and you know they’re going to want to their own interpretations to the piece - as & Charles, and Sarah Ferguson, and Camilla come and see it again and bring along friends they do with all of our shows - and that keeps Parker-Bowles, and Princess Margaret. All of and family who didn’t see it last time. That’s the work fresh and alive. I certainly don’t these stories were daily news during the mak- what accounts for the growth of the show think audiences who already love our Swan ing of the show. And so it was a very topical over the years, I think - the fact that people Lake will be in any way disappointed.” thing to have a prince who couldn’t be the want other people to come and see it. Taking the lead role in the 2019 production is person he really was, or couldn’t be with the person he wanted to be with. It was all very “There’s also a whole new generation of Will Bozier. A graduate of Tring Park School relevant to contemporary Britain and con- young people who won’t have seen it. We for the Performing Arts, Will has been with temporary royalty. So we’re still telling the know, even from discussions with the cast we Matthew’s New Adventures company since same story - it’s still about a royal family, but have at the moment, how it can inspire 2014, since which time he’s performed in pro- a modern royal family. young people to pursue a career in theatre ductions of The Red Shoes, Sleeping Beauty and, particularly, dance. Many of the men in and Edward Scissorhands. “I thought that would be picked up on quite a the show, and in fact the women too, first Will’s inspiration for becoming a professional lot when the show was first seen, but actually came to the artform of dance through this dancer was Adam Cooper’s performance as the attention was much more on the use of piece, and now they’re in it themselves. the Swan/Stranger in the original production the male swans. It was such an iconic image for people to have a male dancing swan. It “It still seems to move and inspire people, of Swan Lake. Could Bourne ever have envis- was very unexpected, and people couldn’t and therefore we get excited about doing it aged the impact his show would have on imagine what it was going to look like. They because that’s what we’re here for. We’re here young male dancers? all thought it was going to be a send-up, and to entertain.” “Obviously when we made Swan Lake we that it was going to be a humorous piece. So will the changes to this much-loved work didn’t know that it would have the impact it’s There’s a bit of humour in it, but the main be obvious ones? had, but over the years I’ve come to realise bulk of it isn’t humorous. We needed an idea that it’s been the trigger for a lot of boys and “I wouldn’t say we’re changing it enormously that could wipe away everyone’s existing per- young men going into dance. I think it felt but refreshing it for this next period of time. ceptions of Swan Lake, and the male swans like something very cool and very masculine, It may change again in the future, who did that very well. yet it also required a lot of artistry and sensi- knows, but I think whilst we’re still excited “It got dubbed ‘the gay Swan Lake’, which tivity. So it was that mixture of things, I about the piece and we feel we’ve got this op- wasn’t what the aim was, but there was cer- think, that really inspired a lot of young men portunity, it seems a great chance to do it. tainly a story within it that was very mean- to want to get into dance and to be a swan - Everything we’ve done to the piece has been ingful for gay audiences, and I celebrate that. and that’s a view which is borne out by virtu- mindful of the fact that people already love I did then, and I do now. It’s a bit more wide- ally every member of our cast who grew up it. ranging than th with this piece. at, however, and it can really “Many people seeing the new version of be interpreted in many ways. “A lovely aspect of the show now is how Swan Lake probably won’t recognise a lot of meaningful it is for the people who’re actu- “It’s accepted now by a much wider audi- the changes we’ve made, and I think they will ally in it. They really want to be in it and it’s ence, who come to see the show and, rather feel that they’re still seeing the same piece. been their ambition to be in it. There aren’t than be shocked by any element of it, find it We will know, however, that we’ve made hun- uplifting that this is a story being told about a many shows where you can say that you’ve dreds of little changes. The changes won’t be young man who’s confused about his future got an entire cast of people whose burning so big that people will think, ‘Oh, what did and his sexuality. I think that’s something ambition has been to be in the piece, so you you do that for?’ or ‘Why did you lose that which is very meaningful for young people in get a wonderful connection with the dancers great idea?’ Maybe there will be one or two the audience as well.” things that big fans of the show will feel the and a wonderful sense of community.” loss of, but generally speaking, I think we’re Variously described as thrilling, audacious, celebrating the piece that already exists. witty and emotional, Bourne’s Swan Lake is Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake shows at like no other production of the show. So what “We have a new lighting designer, Paule Con- Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday 5 made him take a different approach to an all- to Saturday 16 February

whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Dance January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:22 Page 1 Dance January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:22 Page 2

Dance previews from around the region Dance

Echoes And I Imagine The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 31 January Aakash Odedra has made a real name for himself in a relatively short period of time. In the process, he’s worked alongside a number of high-profile choreographers - including Akram Khan, Sidi Larbi and Russel Maliphant - and produced a collection of critically acclaimed danceworks - two of which are presented here... Echoes is a high-octane experience which explores our relationships with our ancestors and adds a contemporary twist to the Kathak form of dance... I Imagine, meanwhile, sees Aakash combining beautiful choreography with powerful spoken word as he contemplates ‘the imag- ined future and the confines of skin’.

Anton & Erin: Dance Spirit Of The Dance Those Magic Musicals Malvern Theatres, Tues 22 January Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 26 January This lively and colourful show, following in the footsteps of Riverdance and Lord Celebrity dancing duo Anton du Beke and Of The Dance, highlights traditions of Erin Boeg return to Birmingham’s Sym- dance and music from around the world. phony Hall this month with their brand new The winner of nine global awards, the show. Blending smart choreography, sassy production showcases the talents of tunes and sparkly costumes, Dance Those world champion dancers and the pound- Magic Musicals sees the popular pair doing ing rhythms of tango, flamenco and exactly what it says on the tin - performing salsa. routines to a musical-theatre soundtrack “Spirit Of The Dance has been seen by 30 that includes favourites from The Phantom million people worldwide,” says its cre- Of The Opera, Mary Poppins, 42nd Street, ator and producer, David King. “Every Hairspray, Cabaret, Wicked, Top Hat and Jer- year, I update the show to include the lat- sey Boys. The duo are joined by singer Lance est and most fashionable dance style - Ellington and the London Concert Orchestra and that's why audiences keep coming conducted by Richard Balcombe. back time and time again.” The Sleeping Beauty vetskaya. Outstanding soloists and full orchestral ac- Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 13 January companiment also play their part in a pro- The highly regarded Saint Petersburg Classic duction that promises to provide a Ballet here present their production of a memorable evening of top-quality ballet. timeless favourite set to Tchaikovsky’s en- chanting score. Telling the story of the Princess Aurora and the evil spell that sees her falling asleep for 100 years instead of marrying her prince, The Sleeping Beauty is a fairytale which has always sparkled whenever it’s been in the safe and secure hands of the Saint Peters- burg company, who as usual are performing under the expert direction of Marina Med-

whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Film January-2.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 10:37 Page 1 Film January-2.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 10:37 Page 2

Film

Vice CERT 15 (132 mins) Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Alison Pill, Jesse Plemons, Eddie Marsan Directed by Adam McKay (USA) Writer-director Adam McKay examined the financial crisis in his smart and stylish The Big Short (2015) and secured an Oscar nomination for Christian Bale as the unorthodox investment maven Michael Burry. Now McKay has cast Bale as the formidable vice president Dick Cheney and has surrounded him with another mouth- watering cast, including Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W Bush and Bill Pullman as Nelson Rockefeller. Bale is already a favourite to win the Oscar, but he’ll have to battle it out with Bradley Cooper and Ethan Hawke. Again, McKay directs from his own original screenplay. Released Fri 25 Jan

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in January...

The Favourite CERT 15 (119 mins) Welcome To Marwen Life Itself CERT 15 (117 mins) Starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Rachel CERT 12a (116 mins) Starring Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Mandy Weisz, Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss Patinkin, Olivia Cooke, Annette Bening, Anto- Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos nio Banderas Directed by Dan Fogelman (USA) (Ireland/UK/USA) The writer of Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) turns Our very own Olivia Colman is storming to, well, life itself, for his directorial follow- America with her extraordinary performance up to Danny Collins (2015). Here, his drama as Queen Anne in this historical comedy, follows a number of couples as they navigate supported by the Oscar-winners Emma Stone the vicissitudes of, well, life itself, before a and Rachel Weisz. Word is that Ms Colman single event unites them all. will secure herself a nomination, at least, Starring Steve Carell, Leslie Mann, Diane under the direction of the wildly unpre- Kruger, Merritt Wever, Janelle Monáe, Eiza Released Fri 4 Jan dictable and controversial Greek filmmaker González, Gwendoline Christie Directed by Robert Zemeckis (USA) Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing Of A Sacred Deer). Inspired by the documentary Marwencol (2010), this is the remarkable story of a Released Tues 1 Jan man who was so severely assaulted that he suffered from major amnesia. As a form of self-therapy, he then started to build a model town in his yard, populated by miniature figures, vehicles and other furnishings from the Second World War. From the director of Forrest Gump and Cast Away. Released Tues 1 Jan

whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film January-2.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 10:38 Page 3

Film

The Front Runner Glass CERT 12a (100 mins) CERT 15 (113 mins) Starring James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Samuel Starring Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, JK Sim- L Jackson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sarah Paulson mons, Alfred Molina, Sara Paxton Directed by M. Night Shyamalan (USA) Directed by Jason Reitman (USA) The schizophrenic that James McAvoy It’s quite a month for American political played so brilliantly in M Night Shya- shenanigans (see Vice), and here we have malan’s sly and suspenseful Split (2016) Hugh Jackman as Senator Gary Hart on the would seem to have started something. campaign trail. And then he dallies with that He’s now become a central cog in a new woman Donna Rice (Ms Paxton). franchise (known as the Eastrail 177 tril- Released Fri 11 Jan ogy), which merges Shyamalan’s Unbreak- able (2000) with the former, with Bruce Willis reprising his role as the security guard with supernatural powers. Released Fri 18 Jan

Untouchable (2011), itself based on a true The Upside CERT 12a (126 mins) story. Starring Kevin Hart, Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman, Genevieve Angelson, Julianna Mar- Released Fri 11 Jan gulies Directed by Neil Burger (USA) Love Sonia CERT 18 Phillip Lacasse (Bryan Cranston) is a cul- Starring Mrunal Thakur, Richa Chadha, Freida Pinto, Demi Moore, Mark Duplass tured, obscenely wealthy paraplegic who Directed by Tabrez Noorani (India) needs an assistant. Petty criminal Dell Set in the world of sex trafficking, this is the Scott (Kevin Hart) is on parole and needs a true story of a woman who tries to rescue her job. It’s a perfect match, although it really sister. Filmed in Mumbai, Jaipur, Hong Kong shouldn’t be. A remake of the French film and Los Angeles. Released Fri 11 Jan

Beautiful Boy CERT 15 (120 mins) Starring Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney, Amy Ryan, Jack Dylan Grazer, Timothy Hutton Directed by Felix Van Groeningen (USA) Based on the dual memoirs of father and son, this is the story of their strained rela- tionship as the latter deals with his addiction to crystal meth. From the Belgian director of the Oscar-nominated The Bro- Stan And Ollie PG ken Circle Breakdown (2012). Starring Steve Coogan, John C Reilly, Shirley Released Fri 18 Jan Henderson, Danny Huston Directed by Jon S Baird (UK/USA/Canada) Laurel and Hardy remain the world’s most beloved comic duo, but it was not all wine Mary, Queen Of Scots and roses. With their film career in decline, CERT 15 (124 mins) the pair embark on a stage tour in post-war Starring Saoirse Ronan, Margot Robbie, Britain that truly tests the performers’ bond. Jack Lowden, Joe Alwyn, David Tennant, Released Fri 11 Jan Guy Pearce Directed by Josie Rourke (UK/USA) Two of the best actresses around play the royal cousins Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I, who compete for power and love in a man’s world. Expect thespian fireworks. Based on the biography My Heart Is My Own by John Guy. Released Fri 18 Jan

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film January-2.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 10:38 Page 4

Film highlights released in January...

Monsters And Men CERT tbc Starring John David Washington, Anthony Ramos, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Rob Morgan, Cara Buono Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (USA) Three witnesses to the killing of a black man by police reveal their versions of the event. John David Washington (son of Denzel) plays the black cop who is caught between his sense of duty and community. Released Fri 18 Jan

CRITIC’S CHOICE

intoxicated by the beau monde of Paris. It’s Colette CERT 15 (114 mins) been five years since Keira Knightley has had One Nation, One King CERT tbc Starring Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Denise the central role in a film and, if anything, she Gough, Fiona Shaw, Robert Pugh, Eleanor Starring Gaspard Ulliel, Adèle Haenel, Olivier has grown as an actress in the interim. She Gourmet, Louis Garrel Directed by Pierre Tomlinson Directed by Wash Westmoreland Schoeller (France/Belgium) (UK/USA) not only conveys the passion and intelli- gence of Colette, but also a new stillness and The French are revolting again in this histori- It’s hard today to envisage just how influen- poise. Thankfully, the director Wash West- cal drama about the French Revolution. tial Colette was in France during the early part of the 20th century. She drew on her moreland services his screenplay with due Released Fri 25 Jan childhood, her personality and above all her focus, presenting a refreshingly old-fash- ability as a writer to create a literary sensa- ioned film addressing very modern issues, tion, Claudine, her alter ego. Yet because she not least female empowerment, gender fluid- was a woman, she was denied the rewards of ity and sexual diversity, making for an elo- her success. This biography focuses on Co- quent, highly relevant and deeply moving lette’s early life and influence and in particu- drama. lar her marriage to the writer and Released Fri 11 Jan entrepreneur Henry Gauthier-Villars, a man

Second Act CERT 12a (104 mins) The Mule CERT tbc Starring Jennifer Lopez, Leah Remini, Vanessa Starring Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Lau- Hudgens, Treat Williams, Milo Ventimiglia rence Fishburne, Michael Peña, Dianne Wiest, Destroyer Directed by Peter Segal (USA) Andy García Directed by Clint Eastwood (USA) CERT 15 (121 mins) While stuck in a low-paying job, Maya Starring Nicole Kidman, (Lopez) gets herself mistaken for a top-tier Toby Kebbell, Tatiana consultant by a private finance firm in Man- Maslany, Scoot Mc- hattan. All she needs now is for her street Nairy, Sebastian Stan smarts to kick in… Directed by Karyn Kusama (USA) Released Fri 25 Jan Nicole Kidman lets her Based on an article in The New York Times, hair down as an alco- this is the true story of a man who becomes a holic, prematurely drug trafficker for an international crime aged LA cop whose past as an undercover op- syndicate. Nothing odd about that, but this erative comes back to haunt her. Under Karyn guy happens to be 90 years old. Clint East- Kusama's direction, the film feels no more wood, a mere 88, plays him and also directs special than an episode of NCIS. And, like and produces. Kidman, Kusama tries too hard to impress. Released Fri 25 Jan Released Fri 25 Jan

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Rachel Maclean.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:11 Page 1 Rachel Maclean.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:11 Page 2

Sweet gets sinister at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Known for her distinctive satirical films, academic account of cuteness and its effects, the effect they have on us. Something which Scottish artist Rachel Maclean is examining she is constantly hindered by sudden has come to the fore in curating the show has the world of cuteness by curating works from emotional responses, as artworks incite been the number of artists who toe the line both the Arts Council Collection and the reflexes of love, repulsion and fear. between cuteness and creepiness. There’s Birmingham Museum collection. something fascinatingly complex about this, Maclean is no stranger to Birmingham, and for me, it’s the fundamental mystery of Too Cute! - which opens at Birmingham having spent August 2017 as the Bullring’s the cute object - how can things that look Museum & Art Gallery this month - reveals artist-in-residence for Channel Four’s The sweet be simultaneously sinister?” how objects and images can have the unique Shopping Centre. Sleeping, eating and ability to be both sweet and sinister. working there, she explored the question of whether shopping can ever make people Via the exhibition, which is presented in a happy. Her findings resulted in a film in Too Cute! Sweet is about to get Sinister gallery reflecting the artist’s signature which she played a character called the shows at Birmingham Museum & Art ery colourful style, Maclean asks why we feel the Satisfaction Bunny and asked, ‘r u satisfied?’, from Sat 26 January to Sunday 12 May need to share and reproduce cute things. She bombarding dissatisfied shoppers with also questions the fine line between cuteness advertising. and creepiness. Commenting on Too Cute!, Rachel says: “I’ve Showcasing multiple manifestations of had a fantastic time exploring Birmingham’s sinister cuteness - the pieces on display range collection and the Arts Council Collection. from 19th century oil paintings to internet- It’s been an honour to be able to bring inspired installations - Too Cute! includes together a show that includes so many artists works by John Isaacs, Gillian Wearing, Ana who I admire. I’ve been fascinated by Maria Pacheco, Helen Chadwick, Paula Rego, cuteness for a long time and think that, Peter Blake and Hermann Sondermann. despite it being an area which so many artists The exhibition is accompanied by an investigate, it can often be overlooked as interpretative video with a twist. Dr Cute - a being too silly, shallow or feminine a subject grotesque Care Bear-like creature played by for debate. Rachel Maclean - presents a short lecture on “I think cuteness is fundamental to our the themes explored in the show, whilst experience of consumer capitalism, and it’s repeatedly being distracted by its contents. important that we take it seriously in order to As the doctor attempts to put forward an understand what we use cute objects for and

whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:10 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Amy Sharrocks Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, until Sun 24 February Live pieces and sonic artworks exploring Leamington Spa as a site of water are the focal point of this first major survey of Amy Sharrocks’ artistic output. The Camden-born, Sorbonne-educated sculptor, photographer and artist creates works which investigate the architecture of a moment; ephemeral and intangible pieces that evaporate or are ‘just barely there’. The exhibition brings together photographs of Amy’s numerous live works with her own photos of water. It also includes a number of previously unseen drawings and prints, a series of works looking at the making of clouds and the movement of air, and a number of pieces exploring, among other subjects, risk, daring and shame.

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts January.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2018 16:10 Page 2

Visual Arts

StART Exhibition RBSA Gallery, until Sat 9 February A must-attend exhibition for budding art collec- tors, StART features original artwork by members of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, all of which is priced at £300 and under. To accompany the show, the RBSA will once again be hosting a ‘studio sale’ (Saturday 26 Jan- uary). One of the Society’s most popular annual events, the sale provides visitors with an opportunity to snap up original artworks by members and associates from as little as £20.

Ways Of Belonging Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Sat 19 January - Sun 17 March Work by four young Birmingham-based female artists is brought together in Ways Of The Sun Never Sets Belonging. The show is a collaboration between Midlands Arts Centre and Ort Gallery, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, a local artist-led exhibition space which seeks to ‘represent the underrepresented’ and Sat 12 January – Sun 10 March facilitate dialogue in the community. The exhibition aims to redefine the narrative “I want the viewer to sense the complications,” around what it means to be ‘local’ and to belong somewhere, in the process subvert- says Matthew Krishanu in talking about The Sun ing media-generated stereotypes about certain community groups and individuals. Never Sets, an exhibition in which he explores The four artists contributing to the show are Sabiheh Awanzai Mahmoud, FreeHand- his childhood years spent living in Bangladesh. Fanatic, Farwa Moledina and Anisa Fazal. “The scenes depicted are not always ones of in- nocence. There are historical and cultural cur- rents at play, and the childhood world is easily punctured by adult constructions and beliefs.” An associated exhibition - Matthew Krishanu: A Murder Of Crows - shows at Birmingham’s Ikon Gallery at the same time as The Sun Never Sets.

Fertile Ground Argentea Gallery, Birmingham, Thurs 10 January - Sat 9 February An exhibition of new work by artists Barbara Gibson and Mark Murphy, Fertile Ground is dedicated to promoting the best artistic talent in the region. Both Barbara and Mark are highly respected artists in the field of collage photography. The exhibition marks the first time their work has been shown together. All pieces on display are available to purchase.

whatsonlive.co.uk 43

Bear Grylls Adventure.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 14:20 Page 1 I’ve learned how to deal with fear - and that it’s okay.“ “ Just keep going towards it, don’t run from it, reach out and hold someone’s hand when you need it

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Bear Grylls Adventure.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 14:20 Page 2

by Lauren Foster

Bear essentials

Escape the ordinary, test your limits by trying some of the world’s most incredible mental and physical challenges, and achieve something epic at Birmingham’s Bear Grylls Adventure...

A former SAS serviceman, a survival crack codes, solve puzzles and find their way Despite Bear’s wealth of experience when it instructor, an honorary lieutenant-colonel, to freedom using logic and resourcefulness. comes to adventuring, things don’t always go an adventurer, writer, television presenter according to plan for him: “I’ve had Visitors can also try their hand at swimming and businessman; Bear Grylls is indeed a parachute failures, been pinned in rapids, with aquatic creatures, including fish, Black man of many talents. He’s also the inspira- got bitten by snakes, had close encounters Tip Reef Sharks and Cownose Rays. tion behind one of the Midlands’ newest with crocodiles - you name it, I’ve experi- Accompanied by a professional diving team visitor attractions - The Bear Grylls Adventure enced it. All those things have taught me to and armed with a full snorkel and scuba kit, park. be very grateful for life, and to be smart and participants don’t need any previous safe. Part of Merlin Entertainments - the company experience and can choose between that owns, among other venues, Alton snorkelling or full scuba diving, depending So which daredevil activity does he find most Towers, the National Sea Life Centre, on which they feel most comfortable with. challenging? Legoland and Thorpe Park - the first-of-its- Ever fancied skydiving? Then Bear Grylls “Skydiving is definitely something that’s kind attraction opened at Birmingham’s NEC Adventure is the place to head for. The park hard for me after breaking my back in a last autumn and is suitable for visitors aged features a hair-raising indoor skydiving free-fall accident whilst I was in the military, 11 and older. activity, where guests can experience a but I still have to jump and deal with heights “I wanted to create a large-scale attraction so freefall that’s almost three times longer than every day in my job. that you don’t have to travel the world to get a an average skydive. The indoor wind tunnel “I’ve learned how to deal with fear - and that real taste of adventure,” explains Bear. “We is operated by experienced skydiving experts, it’s okay. Just keep going towards it, don’t run found out that 18% of Brits rarely get to do who will put intermediate visitors through from it, reach out and hold someone’s hand anything outside of their comfort zone. We’re their paces. when you need it. It’s so exciting to see here to help change that. The adventure park The Extreme Climb section of the park boasts people’s faces when they confront some real is based on experiences that have shaped my replicas of El Capitain and Fontainebleau: fears. Whether they’re close up with a shark life, pushed me to my limits and taken me far “The attraction features some of the toughest or they’re six storeys up, balancing on a little out of my comfort zone.” climbs out there,” says Bear, “all designed to ledge. I love watching people leave the park; The park tests the skills, strength and nerve help you test yourself to the max. It’s all it’s my favourite part. You see the smiles on of the most intrepid thrill-seeker. Those brave about helping you find the courage and their faces, and they have a real sense of enough can zip wire out of a chinook tenacity to conquer your fears.” pride that they’ve done something difficult. helicopter several floors up and then take on Bear will be opening similar parks in both “The thing I get most excited about in life is a Royal Marines-inspired high-ropes course - China and the US in 2020. He then hopes to bringing adventure to people who never the most extreme in Europe. The challenge expand the brand further and build more normally get it. The world is an incredible offers the 54% of Brits who’re scared of around the world. So why did he choose place that’s full of adventure and heights and flying the chance to conquer Birmingham as his first destination? opportunity, and that’s what’s so exciting both fears at the same time. about the park - there’s lots of adventure and The hub of the attraction, the Basecamp, “We wanted to start somewhere that had a opportunity all under one roof.” comprises a collection of mental and physical good international feel, and I felt that group and individual challenges designed to Birmingham was that place. It’s the UK’s second city, Birmingham International help visitors develop the core Bear Grylls Adventure is open seven days station is right next door and 14,000 young skills needed for adventure. As well as a a week and is located at the NEC, Marston people walk past the park every night going maze, an assault course and target archery, Green, Birmingham. For more informa- to events at the arena. Everyone has been so the Basecamp also features escape rooms, tion, visit beargryllsadventure.com where visitors have to race against time to lovely and welcoming to us here.”

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46 whatsonlive.co.uk Events January (1 page).qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 10:39 Page 2

Events previews from around the region Events

British Basketball Cup Finals Arena Birmingham, Sun 27 January

One of the most eagerly anticipated dates on the British Basket- ball League (BBL) calendar, this well-established annual event sees stars of the national game go head- to-head in pursuit of coveted silverware. The get-together also features some of Europe’s top slam dunkers giving it their all in a bid Autosport International sport fans alike. Featuring every level of motor to become the BBL Slam Dunk racing - from karting through to Formula One - Champion. NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 10 - Sun 13 January the event offers visitors the chance to check out Described as ‘the world’s greatest four-wheel the latest performance road cars, chat to club indoor extravaganza’, Autosport International members and watch precision-driving displays Arrows Of Time: caters for industry professionals and motor- in the Live Action Arena. A Tribute To Dr Who Thinktank Science Museum, Birmingham, Fri 11 January Strictly Come Dancing Live Ice Skate Birmingham Arena Birmingham, Fri 18 - Mon 21 January Eastside City Park, Birmingham, until Sun 6 January Ice, ice, baby! Ice Skate Birmingham is back. Voted one of the best outdoor facilities of its kind in the UK, the ice rink attracts thousands of skaters across the festive period. Visitors will be able to skate whatever the weather, as the rink is covered with a weatherproof roof. For those who aren’t so keen to take to the ice, the nearby Ice Lounge offers a wide selection of food & drink to enjoy. Also on site is the Birmingham Big Wheel and a children’s four-storey fun factory to keep the This brand new show celebrates whole family entertained. the 55th anniversary of the first Strictly Come Dancing Live waltzes back onto the episode of Dr Who. road this month with a supersized and sequin- Presented in association with Im- filled show. mersive Experiences, Arrows Of Strictly favourite and 2016 winner Ore Oduba Time sees not one but 10 Doctors hosts the tour for a second time, with all four battle it out with ‘their darkest Strictly TV judges - Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno enemy ever’ in a 35-minute full- Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Shirley Ballas - dome planetarium presentation. adding to the glitz and glamour. The show features animated bio- This year’s star-studded line-up includes Stacey metric talking avatars, ‘stunning’ Dooley, Ashley Roberts, Dr Ranj Singh, Lauren visuals, and the voice of Colin Steadman, Joe Sugg, Graeme Swann and Faye Baker, the sixth Doctor, as The Tozer. Narrator. whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Dr Ranj.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 18:04 Page 1

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Dr Ranj.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 18:04 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

WHAT S UP, DOC? Dr Ranj talks about his Strictly experience

Why Strictly, and why now? and down because it was the first time I’d Regarding your personal life, how old I can answer that one straight away. It’s be- done that routine without any mistakes. It were you when you realised you were gay? cause it’s the first time they said yes! I’ve ’was a really special feeling that I’ll never for- I came out later in life. I was about 30. I first been a massive fan of the show for years, and get. had to realise who I really was, and then have it’s always been my pipe dream, so when any- the confidence to be myself before I could tell one has ever asked me which is the one show What appeals to you most about touring everybody else. It wasn’t the easiest process. I would like to do, it was always Strictly. It’s with the rest of the Strictly crew? Obviously some people come out earlier than been my dream, and this year it just so hap- I miss dancing so much, and I think I’ve be- that and some people a lot later, but no mat- pens to have come true. I was a little over- come weirdly addicted. I’ve also missed see- ter when it is or who it is, it’s not easy for whelmed and shocked when it did. ing everybody because you become so close, people, and that’s why I’m a massive cham- both to the pros and the other celebs. I had pion of helping people become who they are You saw it through to week seven. What kind of been thinking to myself that if I didn’t and be happy. did the experience teach you about your- get on the tour, then I would definitely take self? up some dance lessons, so when news came Was the coming-out experience easier or It taught me that I’m far more resilient than I through about the tour, I was absolutely harder than you anticipated? give myself credit for. Strictly has been the blown away. It’s fun. We get to do our dances I didn’t really have any expectation of what it hardest thing I’ve ever done, both physically again with our partners. We get to share all would be like. Growing up, I really didn’t and mentally. I’ve got two degrees and work that time with our friends again, and we get have any friends from the LGBTQ+ commu- in children’s A&E, but I found it to be physi- to go on the road and meet people who are nity, or any role models. That came later, cally very demanding. You have to train so fans of the show. It’s going to be one big when I was older. I did then meet and make a hard, and it’s taught me that I can do that. I party. It’s all the good things about the show lot of friends who were gay. Up until then, I can train for six hours a day and kind of get without the stress of learning new routines didn’t have any expectations about the com- through it, but mentally you have to be really every week. And because it’s the same show munity or gay life because I really hadn’t resilient. It’s very stressful, and you take on a over and over again, you just get better and known it. My own experience was quite diffi- lot of pressure. It’s about coping with the better and really enjoy it. With the TV show, cult and quite painful, but I really didn’t have anxiety which comes with being in the com- you have such a short space of time to learn anything to compare it to. It was just what it petition. It’s made me realise that just when your routine. You learn a brand new style and was. you think you can’t do any more, you can ac- a brand new routine in a maximum of four tually dig deeper and find something. Janette days. I was also trying to do all of my other What advice would you give to gay Asians [Manrara, his Strictly dance partner] taught jobs, so I never really got to a point where I who are on the brink of coming out? me that, which is why I think we got on so could do the dance and just enjoy it. I’m hop- Firstly, don’t be afraid to be who you are, be- well. She was able to support me through not ing that once I’m on the tour and the dance is cause you have just as much right as every- only the amazing bits, but also the times in my head, I can just have fun and be myself. body else to be happy. Secondly, if you need when I thought I couldn’t do it anymore. That’s what I’m really looking forward to - help, there are lots of people around who will being able to just enjoy the dancing instead help you and catch you afterwards. Finally, Which was your favourite moment? of worrying about which step comes after no matter how difficult it is, how painful it Oh, there were so many, and it’s all such a which. may be and what you might have to go blur now. I guess one of my most memorable through to get there, it always gets better. You moments was the first dance we did. It was to Has your Strictly experience fuelled your will be happier for it in the end. For a lot of a Whitney song, and I’m a massive Whitney desire to do more reality TV, or is that it Gaysian people, it’s a very difficult experi- fan. It was one of my favourite Whitney now? ence. There are many of us here who’ve been songs, and we did the Cha Cha. That was the I would never say never. This has been the through it, have come out the other side and first time I’d ever done a formal dance of any first reality show that I’ve ever been part of, are much happier as a result. sort. It went really well, and I absolutely and it’s been a pretty special one because loved it. I remember right at the end being there’s nothing like it. Probably nothing else completely knackered, as it was a full-on rou- will give me as much of a buzz, but we’ll have Dr Ranj joins the Strictly crew when it tine, but it was such an incredible buzz. It to see what happens. stops off at Arena Birmingham from was so great, and Janette was jumping up Fri 18 to Mon 21 January

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YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide JanuaryJanuary 20192019 thelist The Wizard Of Oz at The REP, Birmingham - until Sun 13 January The Wizard Of Oz at The REP,

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

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 January Mon 7 to Sun 13 January Mon 14 to Sun 20 January Mon 21 to Thurs 31 January

Moscow State Circus Kojo Funds at O2 Institute, Neil and Liam Finn at Abigail's Party at presents Miracles at the NEC Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall The Alexandra Theatre until Sat 5 January Sat 12 January Sat 19 January Mon 21 - Sat 26 January

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thelist THROUGHOUT JANUARY

first decade of Édouard Vuillard’s ca- Visual Arts reer, featuring paintings, pastels, prints and photographs lent by col- lections in Britain and Europe, until Birmingham Museum & Sun 20 Jan Art Gallery LOOKING AT ANIMALS Exhibition explor- FIGHTING FOR OUR HERITAGE Exhibition ing a wide range of representations explores the rich history of amateur of animals, drawing on drawings and boxing clubs and famous boxers prints dating from the 16th to the 20th from Birmingham, until Fri 1 Feb century by artists including Rubens, WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND Gericault, Delacroix and Franz Marc, THE SELF Exhibition examining how until Sun 10 Feb social, historical and cultural factors affect body image, and how this is ex- Other VISUAL ARTS pressed through objects and art- MUGHAL MINIATURES: POWER, PIETY works, until Fri 1 Feb AND POETRY The courts of the Mughal FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring how Empire (1526-1857), as depicted different faiths have influenced and through beautiful miniature paintings Citylightz - O2 Academy, Birmingham shaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb from the university's Mingana Collec- WOMEN POWER PROTEST Inspired by tion of Middle Eastern Manuscripts, NEARLY DAN Fri 4 Jan, KING PLEASURE AND the bold work of feminist artists and until Wed 2 Jan, Birmingham City The Robin, Bilston THE BISCUIT BOYS Sat 5 University Gigs activists, Women Power Protest aims ROD & THE FACEZ Fri 4 Jan, Artrix, Broms- to raise awareness, provoke debate BIRMINGHAM QUR'AN MANUSCRIPT FLARES SINGLE LAUNCH Jan, The River Rooms, grove and assess how much has changed REPLICA DISPLAY The story of the re- Thurs 3 Jan, Hare & Stourbridge ELO ENCOUNTER Sat 5 for women, until Sun 31 Mar discovery of the Birmingham Qur'an Hounds, Birmingham URBAN INTRO Fri 4 & Jan, Eleven, Stoke-on- Manuscript, one of the oldest-surviv- COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS GUNS 2 ROSES Thurs 3 Sat 5 Jan, The Jam Trent ing Qur'an manuscript fragments in BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- Jan, The Robin, Bil- House, Birmingham BOWIE: A TRIBUTE Sat 5 the world. The centrepiece of the ex- tions that reflect the experiences of ston Jan, The Night Owl, diverse Birmingham people - from hibition is a replica of the original CITYLIGHTZ Sat 5 Jan, DINO BAPTISTE Thurs 3 Birmingham working lives to community activists manuscript, until Mon 7 Jan, Birming- O2 Academy, Birming- Jan, The Jam House, and protest movements, until Sun 27 ham City University ham THE RICKY NELSON Birmingham ROCK & ROLL SHOW Oct THE FACE OF SUFFRAGE Celebrating JEAN GENIE Sat 5 Jan, Sun 6 Jan, Lichfield 100 years since women were first al- CATAPULT CLUB FEAT The Robin, Bilston (SKETCH) Fri 4 Jan, O2 Guildhall Grand Union lowed the vote, the exhibition of pho- THE ESSENTIAL PARTY Academy, Birmingham NIK TURNERS NEW JOANNE MASDING: BRUNTWOOD COR- tographs showcases some of the BAND Sat 5 Jan, The faces of the Suffrage movement and TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE SPACE RITUAL Sun 6 NERBLOCK COMMISSION Permanent in- River Rooms, Stour- complements the New Street Station Fri 4 Jan, Artrix, Jan, The Robin, Bil- stallation made by artist and Grand bridge installation, until Thurs 31 Jan, Birm- Bromsgrove ston Union studio holder Joanne Masding, ingham Hippodrome until Fri 5 July IN THE WINGS: NEW PERSPECTIVE Exhi- Ikon Gallery bition by two of the Company’s dancers turned photographers (Ty- NEW A MURDER OF CROWS Display of rone Singleton and Lachlan Mon- painted crows by artist Matthew Kris- aghan, until Thurs 31 Jan, hanu, Tues 8 Jan - Sun 10 Mar Birmingham Hippodrome 'ILLUMINATE' BY CENTREPIECE Jewellery MAC, Birmingham exhibition highlighting new work by MAC CRAFT FELLOWS Five recent grad- four jewellers from Centrepiece Jew- uates were each commissioned to ellery: Katherine Campbell-Legg, Mi- make new work to showcase the randa Sharpe, Nobuko Okumura & journey they’ve been on during the Rita Patel, until Sat 2 Feb, Museum of fellowship programme. This exhibi- the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham tion is the culmination of their hard ONCE UPON A TIME: A VISUAL HISTORY work, until Sun 24 Mar OF PANTOMIME Artists Craig Earp and Danny Lloyd were invited to explore RBSA Gallery the Hippodrome pantomime archive, to create new work that celebrates STELLAR Featuring jewellery in pre- the history of panto and its legendary cious materials, ceramics with lus- stars. The artists have created origi- trous glazes, and textiles in plush nal artwork as well as re-appropriated fabrics, until Sat 2 Feb archive imagery, until Tues 5 Feb, Birmingham Hippodrome The Barber Institute NEW GAMMA BY THOMAS ROONEY In his WAR AND PEACE Display of prints ex- debut show, Thomas explores creat- ploring conflicts from four periods in ing narrative through abstract 35mm history. Featuring prints by artists in- film photography inspired by science cluding Édouard Manet, Honoré-Vic- fiction and space travel, Wed 23 Jan - torin Daumier and CRW Nevinson, Mon 4 Feb, The Core Theatre, Soli- until Sun 13 Jan hull MAMAN Exhibition focusing on the Dino Baptiste - The Jam House, Birmingham 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 1-6 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 15:20 Page 2

Saturday 1 - Sunday 6 January

THE WIZARD OF OZ Doctors star Lorna Classical Music Laidlaw stars as the Wizard/Professor alongside Chisara Agor (Dorothy THE JOHANN STRAUSS GALA Featuring Gale) in a new staging of L Frank the Johann Strauss Orchestra, John Baum’s classic story, until Sun 13 Rigby (conductor), Corinne Cowling Jan, The REP, Birmingham (soprano) & William Morgan (tenor). A CHRISTMAS CAROL David Edgar’s Programme includes Blue Danube acclaimed staging of Dickens’ festive Waltz, Cinderella Waltz, Radetzky classic, showing at the RSC for a March & the Thunder and Lightening second year, until Sun 20 Jan, Royal Polka, Tues 1 Jan, Symphony Hall, Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Birmingham upon-Avon VIENNESE NEW YEAR Featuring THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Brand new Stephen Bell (conductor), Jennifer staging of Kenneth Grahame’s en- France (soprano) & the City of Birm- chanting riverside tale, until Sat 26 ingham Symphony Orchestra. Pro- Jan, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- gramme includes works by J. Strauss under-Lyme II, Waldteufel, Lehár & E. Strauss, Sun 6 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham TIMON OF ATHENS Simon Godwin directs Kathryn Hunter in Shake- speare's satire on wealth, greed and betrayal, until Fri 22 Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Comedy TARTUFFE New updated version of Moliere’s provocative French classic, LAURA LEXX (PICTURED), BRENNAN until Sat 23 Feb, The Swan Theatre, REECE, MARK ROW & TOM GLOVER Stratford-upon-Avon Thurs 3 Jan, The George Hotel, Lich- THE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD Presented by field Jars Of Clay Theatre Co, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Jan, Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham The Wizard Of Oz The REP, Birmingham, until Sun 13 January This classic story from the pen of L Frank Baum has been de- lighting children for over a century. A marvellous mix of magic, Kids Shows mayhem and munchkins, it tells the story of Dorothy Gale and EMILY BROWN AND THE THING Tall Sto- her unexpected trip over the rainbow to the wonderful land of ries present a magical adventure for Oz. There, she meets the scarecrow, the tin man and a cowardly the whole family to enjoy, until Sun 6 lion, heads off on a journey along the yellow brick road to find KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs Jan, The Patrick Studio, Birmingham 3 Jan, Stourbridge Town Hall Hippodrome the Emerald City, and has more than one unpleasant encounter GARRY POWNDLAND & FRIENDS Fri 4 - THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Stage with the Wicked Witch of the West. Sat 5 Jan, The Glee Club, B’ham adaptation of Judith Kerr’s much- If ever a ruby-slippered girl was in need of a wizard... loved picture book for children, Wed 26 Dec - Sun 13 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall tomime fun, written and directed, as Princess Rose & Nic Lamont as Cara- Theatre usual, by Iain Laughlan, until Sat 5 bosse, until Sun 6 Jan, The Core Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Theatre, Solihull CRIMES OF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING ALADDIN Family pantomime, until Sat SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Debbie The award-winning New Old Friends 5 Jan, Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth McGee, Richard Cadell & Sooty, present a ‘fast-paced, gig-filled romp Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams, until of a show’, until Sat 5 Jan, Lichfield Pantomime MOTHER GOOSE Festive fun aplenty, Sun 13 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Garrick SLEEPING BEAUTY High-energy pan- with the ever-popular Brad Fitt in the lead role, until Sun 6 Jan, Theatre Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury PETER PAN Jimmy Osmond, Meera MAID MARIAN AND THE MERRY MEN Syal, Jaymi Hensley and Matt Slack Worcester Repertory Company pre- star in a swashbuckling pantomime sent an ‘action- packed’ pantomime adventure featuring ‘barrels of laugh- in which a feisty Maid Marian leads ter, amazing flying effects and a trip the way in overthrowing the evil Sher- to Neverland’, until Sun 27 Jan, Birm- iff of Nottingham, until Sun 6 Jan, The ingham Hippodrome Swan Theatre, Worcester CINDERELLA Festive family favourite starring Isabel Gamble, Tony Disci- pline, Anna Kumble, Joe Chambers & Carl Dutfield, until Sun 6 Jan, The Film Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ROBIN HOOD Jonathan Wilkes & Chris- RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET (PG) Ani- tian Patterson star in a ‘Sheriff-bust- mation/Adventure. With the voices of ing pantomime extravaganza’, until John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman. Sun 6 Jan, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Trent Fri 21 Dec - Thurs 3 Jan; MAC, Birm- SLEEPING BEAUTY Brand new spin on ingham, Fri 28 Dec - Thurs 3 Jan Emily Brown And Thing - The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome an old yarn, starring Eva Crawford as MARY POPPINS RETURNS (U) Adven-

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thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 6 January ture/Family. Starring Emily Blunt, Emily Mortimer. Mockingbird Cinema, Events Birmingham, Fri 21 Dec - Thurs 3 Jan MAGICAL LANTERN FESTIVAL 2018 The THE FAVOURITE (15) Biography/Com- festival is back at the Gardens with edy. Starring Olivia Colman, Emma all-new lanterns, until Tues 1 Jan, Stone. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Birmingham Botanical Gardens from Tues 1 Jan MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS ‘MIRACLES’ THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT (18) until Sat 5 Jan, NEC, Birmingham Drama/Horror. Starring Matt Dillon, Bruno Ganz. MAC, Birmingham, Fri 4 ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Skate what- - Mon 7 Jan ever the weather on the weatherproof rink, until Sun 6 Jan, Eastside Park, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (15) Birmingham Comedy/Fantasy. Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson. MAC, NEW YEAR CRAFTS: CREATE A CALENDAR Birmingham, Fri 4 - Thurs 10 Jan Use a variety of craft materials to design and create a unique calendar for BLACK 47 (15) Action/Drama. Starring the year ahead, Wed 2 Jan, Blakesley Hugo Weaving, James Frencheville. Hall, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham, Sat 5 Jan BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey AN ELEPHANT SITTING STILL (15) behind the scenes at one of Britain's Drama. Starring Yu Zhang, Yuchang premier producing theatres, Sat 5 Peng. Foreign language, subtitled. Jan, The REP, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham, Sun 6 Jan OPEN ASTON Enjoy a wander around the grand old mansion, Sun 6 Jan, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Aston Hall, Birmingham Released from Tues 1 Jan, showing SUNDAY LOCAL HISTORY TALK Julie at selected cinemas Schroder presents ‘Birmingham's THE FAVOURITE (15) story told in stone - from the depths of time to the present day’, Sun 6 WELCOME TO MARWEN (12a) Jan, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Moscow State Circus - NEC, Birmingham

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 January JUST FLOYD Fri 11 Jan, MIKE HOLLOWAY Sat 12 Gigs The Robin, Bilston Jan, Pizza Express BROKEN MINDS & DUB- Live, Birmingham CUPCAKKE Mon 7 Jan, GASM - 4 DA CAUSE Fri EMAROSA Sat 12 Jan, The Asylum, B’ham 11 Jan, Hare & The Asylum, B’ham ELLA MAI Thurs 8 Jan, Hounds, Birmingham KICK UP TH 80’S Sat 12 O2 Institute, B’ham UK GUNS ‘N’ ROSES Fri Jan, The River Rooms, 11 Jan, The River- Stourbridge rooms, Stoiurbridge THE MIDNIGHT SOUL BLACK ELVIS Fri 11 Jan, BAND Sat 12 Jan, The The Night Owl, B’ham Night Owl, B’ham BAREFOOTIN’ WITH ED KOJO FUNDS Sat 12 EDWARDS AND FRIENDS Jan, O2 Institute, Birm- Fri 11 Jan, The Night ingham Owl, Birmingham THE BLUEJAYS: ROCK WOLF & MOON Wed 9 AND ROLL REVOLUTION Jan, Hare & Hounds, Fri 11 Jan, The Bel- Birmingham grade Theatre, Coven- BECKY MILLS & RUTH try ANGELL PLUS DAVID RICKY COOL AND THE IN FISHER Wed 9 Jan, The CROWD Fri 11 Jan, Red Lion Folk Club, Lichfield Guildhall Birmingham ELO AGAIN Fri 11 Jan, GOSPEL CENTRAL Wed Lichfield Garrick 9 Jan, The Jam WHITESNAKE UK + WHOLE LOTTA DC & House, Birmingham TOTAL THUNDER Fri 11 MENTALLICA Sat 12 Circus Of Horrors - The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham SOLID SOUL Thurs 10 Jan, Eleven, Stoke-on- Jan, The Slade Jan, The Jam House, Trent Rooms, Wolverhamp- ANDREW BIRD, SARAH KEYWORTH, AL- Birmingham ton Classical ISTAIR WILLIAMS & FREDDY QUINNE THE DIME NOTES Fri 11 Sat 12 Jan, The Comedy Loft, Birm- ASOMVEL Thurs 10 Jan, Pizza Express THE BEST OF QUEEN Sat ingham Jan, The Robin, Bil- Live, Birmingham 12 Jan, Artrix, Broms- Music ston grove SPONTANEOUS POTTER Sun 13 Jan TRU GROOVE Fri 11 & CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- The Glee Club, Birmingham Sat 12 Jan, The Jam QUEBONAFIDE Sat 12 CHESTRA: HAYDN TO BEETHOVEN Fea- House, Birmingham Jan, The Castle and turing Piotr Anderszewski CATAPULT CLUB FEAT Falcon, Birmingham (conductor/piano). Programme in- THE SUNSET BEACH HUT A BOWIE CELEBRATION cludes works by Haydn, Mozart & Sat 12 Jan, O2 Sun 13 Jan, O2 Insti- Beethoven, Wed 9 Jan, Symphony Theatre Academy, Birmingham tute, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham COMMONISM A performed conversa- THE MODFATHERS Sat BAD SUNS Sun 13 Jan, CBSO CENTRE STAGE: THE JANE AUSTEN tion piece exploring nationality, inter- 12 Jan, The Robin, Bil- Hare & Hounds, Birm- SONG BOOK Featuring Alexandra Gib- nationality, theatre & politics, Tues 8 ston ingham son (soprano), Martin Perkins - Fri 11 Jan, The REP, Birmingham CATAPULT CLUB FEAT BABY JOOLS & THE JAZ- BRAVADO Sun 13 Jan, (square piano), Julia Åberg & Kelly McCusker (baroque violins) & Jackie CIRCUS OF HORRORS: PSYCHO ASYLUM OPOLLO Fri 11 Jan, O2 ZAHOLICS Sat 12 Jan, The Robin, Bilston An amalgamation of bizarre and fan- Academy, Birmingham Lichfield Guildhall Tyler (baroque cello), Thurs 10 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham tastic circus acts, all woven into a ‘sensational shock-horror story’, ZELKOVA STRING QUARTET Programme Thurs 10 Jan, The Alexandra The- includes works by Haydn, Judith atre, Birmingham Weir, Bartok & Beethoven, Fri 11 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove ROBIN HOOD AND THE REVOLTING PEAS- ANTS Oddsocks bring their trademark humour, fast-paced action and live music to the legend of Robin Hood, Fri 11 Jan, The Place, Oaken- Comedy gates Theatre, Telford, Shropshire COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- JUST LIKE THAT! THE TOMMY COOPER SON FEATURING COMIC TBC Thurs 10 SHOW Celebration of one of Britain’s Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham favourite comedians - complete with misfiring magic, trademark fez and quickfire gags, Fri 11 - Sat 12 Jan, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham ROBIN HOOD Join Robin and his Merry Men as they take on the evil Sheriff, Fri 11 - Sat 19 Jan, Oldbury Rep BRITAIN'S GOT MAGIC Starring Britain's Got Talent finalist Christian Lee, Sat 12 Jan, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry ROBIN HOOD AND THE REVOLTING PEAS- ANTS Oddsocks bring their trade- Wolf & Moon - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham mark humour, fast-paced action and whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Birmingham 7-13 January.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 09:34 Page 3

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 January live music to the legend of Robin Comedy/History. Starring Jean Du- Hood, Sun 13 Jan, Artrix, Broms- jardin, Mélanie Laurent. Foreign lan- Events grove Talks guage, subtitled. MAC, Birmingham, OUT-SPOKEN Hosted by Joelle Taylor Sun 13 - Thurs 17 Jan AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL Featuring and featuring work from two of the every level of motor racing - from STAN & OLLIE (15) Biography/Comedy. UK’s best-known poets, Anthony karting through to Formula One, Starring John C. Reilly, Shirley Hen- Anaxagorou and Malika Booker, Sat Thurs 10 -Sun 13 Jan, NEC, B’ham Pantomime derson. Electric Cinema, Birming- 12 Jan, The REP, Birmingham PERFORMANCE AND TUNING CAR SHOW SLEEPING BEAUTY Starring Debbie ham, from Fri 11 Jan AN EVENING WITH ALICE ROBERTS The The newly rebranded show is an McGee, Richard Cadell & Sooty, LIZZIE (15) Biography/Crime. Starring anthropologist, author & broadcaster ideal event for enthusiasts who take Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams, until Chloë Sevigny, Kristen Stewart. MAC, shares insights, anecdotes and be- their car modification seriously, Thurs Sun 13 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Birmingham, Fri 11 - Wed 16 Jan hind-the-scenes stories from her ex- 10 - Sun 13 Jan, NEC, Birmingham Theatre WHITE BOY RICK (15) Crime/Drama. ploration of Britain’s past, Sat 12 Jan, GHOST THEATRE TOUR Journey into the PETER PAN Jimmy Osmond, Meera Starring Richie Merritt, Matthew Mc- Lichfield Garrick depths of one of the UK’s most Syal, Jaymi Hensley and Matt Slack Conaughey. MAC, Birmingham, Fri haunted theatres, Fri 11 Jan, The star in a swashbuckling pantomime 11 - Thurs 17 Jan Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham adventure fea- SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE ARROWS OF TIME Cele- turing ‘barrels (PG) Animation/Action. With the bration of the 55th an- of laughter, voices of Shameik Moore, Jake John- Film niversary of the first amazing flying son. Mockingbird Cinema, Birming- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: broadcast of Dr Who, effects and a ham, Fri 11 - Thurs 17 Jan trip to Never- Fri 11 Jan, Thinktank THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS (12a) land’, until Sun AQUAMAN (12a) Action/Adventure. Science Museum, Documentary. MAC, Birmingham, 27 Jan, Birm- Starring Jason Momoa, Amber Birmingham Mon 7 - Tues 8 Jan Heard. Mockingbird Cinema, Birm- ingham Hippo- BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey ingham, Fri 11 - Thurs 17 Jan drome ENCHANTED APRIL (U) Drama. Starring behind the scenes at one of Britain's Alfred Molina, Joan Plowright. High- SNOW WHITE Birmingham Youth The- THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD Documen- premier producing theatres, Sat 12 bury Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 8 & atre presents its version of the classic tary. MAC, Birmingham, Sat 12 Jan Jan, The REP, Birmingham Fri 11 Jan tale, complete with twists, turns, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (PG) Biogra- GHOST TOURS Experience a spooky dancing, singing and laughs aplenty, FREE SOLO Documentary. MAC, Birm- phy/Drama. Starring Peter O’Toole, evening in one of Britain’s most Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Jan, The Old Rep ingham, Wed 9 - Sat 12 Jan Alec Guinness. MAC, Birmingham, haunted buildings, Sat 12 Jan, Aston Theatre, Birmingham RETURN OF THE HERO (12a) Sat 12 Jan Hall, Birmingham

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January 2019 www.artrix.co.uk

Friday 4 January Saturday 5 January Sun 6 & Mon 7 January

TAKE THAT KING PLEASURE & ANDRE RIEU’S NEW Wednesday 16 January Wednesday 23 January EXPERIENCE THE BISCUIT BOYS YEAR CONCERT PAUL JONES & DAVE KELLY THE SYD LAWRENCE TOP TRIBUTE TO TT & RED HOT RHYTHM & BLUES RECORDED IN SYDNEY ROBBIE WILLIAMS ACOUSTIC DUO ORCHESTRA From the Blues Band The ultimate Big Band are BACK!

Thursday 24 January Saturday 26 January Friday 18 January Saturday 19th January Fri 25 +Sat 26 January THE BILLY FURY YEARS R.E.S.P.E.C.T TO ARETHA MONEY FOR THE JOHNNY CASH THE COUNTERFEIT Dedication to the Queen of Soul NOTHING ROADSHOW STONES "The best Fury since Fury” DIRE STRAITS TRIBUTE TRIBUTE TO THE MAN IN NEW TOUR MIDNIGHT BLACK SCAM-BLER

Tuesday 29 January Wednesday 30 January A VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA GAELFORCE IRISH DANCE Beautiful classical music show Traditional and contemporary Irish COMING SOON: he T Best Of Queen, Oddsocks, Barnstormers Comedy, Andrew Doyle, T.Rextasy, music and dance Darren Harriot, Mark Watson, George Egg, Best Of Wham, Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, Mandy Muden, Creedence Clearwater Reimagined, Andrew Maxwell, Fairport Convention, Living Spit, Whitney Houston Live Experience, Gary Delaney, Rachel Parris, Croft & Pearce, Cloudbusting, Georgie Fame, Stand Up For Women, Soniari, RoySab G Hemmings, Glenn Wool, Phil Beer Band…

Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 14-20 January.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2018 14:11 Page 2

thelist Monday 14 - Sunday 20 January aged four to seven, Sat 19 Jan, The Classical REP, Birmingham Music LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH THOMAS TROTTER Mon 14 Jan, Birm- Pantomime ingham Town Hall PETER PAN Jimmy Osmond, Meera MENDELSSOHN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Syal, Jaymi Hensley and Matt Slack Featuring the City of Birmingham star in a swashbuckling pantomime Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Beil- adventure which promises ‘barrels of man (violin) & Andrew Gourlay (con- laughter, amazing flying effects and ductor)/ Programme includes works a trip to Neverland’, until Sun 27 Jan, by Dvorak & Mendelssohn, Wed 16 - Birmingham Hippodrome Sat 19 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham MATTHEW WADSWORTH & JULIA DOYLE - AN INTIMATE RECITAL Programme includes works by Britten, Purcell, John Dowland & Laura Snowden, Film Thurs 17 Jan. Symphony Hall, Birm- INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ingham LABYRINTH (U) Adventure/Family. Starring David Bowie, Jennifer Con- nelly. The Alexandra Theatre, Birm- ingham, Mon 14 Jan Neil & Liam Finn - Birmingham Town Hall Comedy CLUELESS (12) Comedy/Romance. AVATAR Thurs 17 Jan, Jan, The Robin, Bil- Starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey O2 Institute, B’ham ston COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- Dash. The Alexandra Theatre, Birm- Gigs SON FEATURING COMIC TBC Thurs 17 RAVE GROOVE PROJECT SUBTERRANEANS Fri 18 ingham, Mon 14 Jan Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham CHARLES ESTEN Tues Thurs 17 Jan, The Jam - Sat 19 Jan, The Jam WAYNE'S WORLD 1 & 2 (PG) Com- 15 Jan, Town Hall, House, Birmingham House, Birmingham SAM AVERY Sat 19 Jan, The Old Rep edy/Music. Starring Mike Myers, Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham SOUL LEGENDS FEAT THE JOHNNY CASH Dana Carvey. The Alexandra The- atre, Birmingham, Wed 16 Jan CAMERONAZI + MUPPY LEMAR Thurs 17 Jan, ROADSHOW : SAN RUDI LICKWOOD, DAISY EARL, HAYLEY + SUBJECTZ + DJ Wolverhampton Grand QUENTIN ANNIVERSARY ELLIS & COMIC TBC Sat 19 Jan, The THE WIZARD OF OZ (U) Family/Fantasy. JACKY P Tues 15 Jan, Theatre Sat 19 Jan, Artrix, Comedy Loft, Birmingham Starring Judy Garland, Frank Mor- The Sunflower ROYAL REPUBLIC Fri 18 Bromsgrove gan. The Alexandra Theatre, Birm- Lounge, Birmingham Jan, O2 Academy, DIG Sat 19 Jan, The ingham, Thurs 17 Jan THE WEDDING CRASH- Birmingham Night Owl, B’ham THE FIRST WIVES CLUB (PG) Comedy. ERS Tues 15 Jan, The MONEY FOR NOTHING - NEIL & LIAM FINN Sat Theatre Starring Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler. Jam House, B’ham DIRE STRAITS TRIBUTE 19 Jan, Birmingham The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, SHERLOCK HOLMES One-man homage Fri 18 Jan CARL SINCLAIR TRIO Fri 18 Jan, Artrix, Town Hall to the world’s greatest detective, Tues 15 Jan, The Jam Bromsgrove ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Wed 16 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand House, Birmingham DAN + SHAY Fri 18 Jan, WITH LEE MEMPHIS (15) Comedy/Musical. Starring Tim Theatre Curry, Susan Sarandon. The Alexan- NINEBARROW Wed 16 O2 Institute, B’ham KING Sat 19 Jan, The STEAMING The story of four women dra Theatre, Birmingham, Fri 18 Jan Jan, The Red Lion CRAIG CHARLES Fri 18 Robin, Bilston from completely different back- Folk Club, B’ham Jan, Hare & Hounds, JESSOP, JESSOP, JESSOP THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (PG) Com- grounds who meet every week at edy/Drama. Starring Anne Hathaway, PAUL JONES AND DAVD Birmingham Sat 19 Jan, Pizza Ex- their local baths, Thurs 17 - Fri 18 Meryl Streep. The Alexandra The- KELLY Wed 16 Jan, The THE BEE GEES STORY press Live, B’ham Jan, Midlands Arts Centre, Birming- atre, Birmingham, Sat 19 Jan Core Theatre, Solihull Fri 18 Jan, Wolver- QUADROPHENIA Sat 19 ham THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS (PG) Anima- THE STREETS Wed 16 hampton Grand The- Jan, Hare & Hounds, GO AND PLAY UP YOUR OWN END - IN tion/Adventure. With the voices of Jan, O2 Academy, atre Birmingham CONCERT Live concert version cele- Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet. The Birmingham THE ONCE Fri 18 Jan, MARQUIS DRIVE Sat 19 brating the 20th anniversary of this Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sat The Sunflower Jan, The Night Owl, AYNSLEY LISTER BAND popular Midlands show, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Jan Thurs 17 Jan, The Lounge, Birmingham Birmingham 19 Jan, The Core Theatre, Solihull THE JOHN HUGHES SLEEPOVER (16 Robin, Bilston THE SUPERSKAS Fri 18 SOUNDS OF GLENN AN INDIAN ABROAD Pariah Khan’s new CANDLES, PRETTY IN PINK, THE BREAK- MILLER ERA Sat 19 Jan, solo show follows the character of FAST CLUB AND FERRIS BUELLERS DAY Lichfield Garrick Krishnan on a journey from middle- OFF) The Alexandra Theatre, Birm- WAVED Sat 19 Jan, The class India to the ‘exotic island of ingham, Sat 19 Jan Asylum, Birmingham Great Britain’, Fri 18 - Sat 19 Jan, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham OVERBOARD (12a) Comedy/Romance. FLASH - A TRIBUTE TO Starring Eugenio Derbez, Anna QUEEN Sat 19 Jan, The Faris. The Alexandra Theatre, Birm- Castle and Falcon, ingham, Sun 20 Jan Birmingham SPICE WORLD (PG) Comedy/Music. ALL VINYL PROMOTIONS Starring The Spice Girls. The Alexan- PRESENTS: WAX ON – Kids Shows dra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 20 THE FREE PARTY Sat 19 THE SNOWMAN Stage show based on Jan Jan, Hare & Hounds, Raymond Briggs' popular children's RESERVOIR DOGS (15) Drama/Thriller. Birmingham book, Wed 16 - Sat 26 Jan, The REP, Starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth. The MARTYN JOSEPH Sun Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 20 Jan, Midlands Arts UNCLE’S STORY SHOP Unique interac- 20 Jan Charles Esten - Birmingham Town Hall Centre, Birmingham tive theatre experience for children whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Birmingham 21-27 January.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 11:32 Page 1

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Birmingham 21-27 January.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 11:32 Page 2

thelist Monday 21 - Sunday 27 January CHESTRA Wed 23 Jan, THE CAROUSEL + SPE- Gigs The Core Theatre, CIAL GUESTS Fri 25 Solihull Jan, The Actress & JAKE HILL & JOSH A OMYO Thurs 24 Jan, Bishop, Birmingham Mon 21 Jan, Hare & O2 Academy, B’ham SNOW PATROL Fri 25 Hounds, Birmingham GARETH WILLIAMS, Jan, Arena B’ham BEN HOWARD Mon 21 CLARK TRACEY. ARNIE ULTIMATE COLDPLAY Fri Jan, Symphony Hall, SOMOGYI TRIO Thurs 24 25 Jan, The River Birmingham Jan, Eastside Jazz Rooms, Stourbridge JAZZ ORCHESTRA: CON- Club, Royal Birming- THE JERSEY BEATS: OH TEMPORARY BRITS Mon ham Conservatoire WHAT A NITE! Fri 25 21 Jan, Royal Birming- THE BILLY FURY YEARS Jan, The Crescent ham Conservatoire Thurs 24 Jan, The Theatre, Birmingham MASTODON Tues 22 Core Theatre, Solihull THE STUMBLE Fri 25 Jan, O2 Academy, CLEM BURKE & BOOTLEG Jan, Lichfield Guildhall Birmingham BLONDIE Thurs 24 Jan, SHAKATAK Fri 25 Jan, FRANK TURNER Tues 22 The Robin, Bilston Pizza Express Live, Jan, Arena B’ham ROCKFORD Thurs 24 Birmingham LISA MILLS Tues 22 Jan, The Jam House, PAUL CARRACK Fri 25 Jan, The Robin, Bil- Birmingham Jan, Symphony Hall, ston GENESIS VISIBLE TOUCH Birmingham ASHLEY ALLEN QUINTET Thurs 24 Jan, Mac, THE COUNTERFEIT Abigail’s Party - The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Tues 22 Jan, The Jam Birmingham STONES Fri 25 - Sat 26 House, Birmingham CLEVELAND WATKISS Jan, Artrix, Broms- includes works by Mozart, Philip Glass & Shostakovich, Fri 25 Jan, UNCLE ACID & THE ALLSTARS Thurs 24 grove Classical Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington DEADBEATS Wed 23 Jan, Mac, Birmingham DETROIT SOUL COLLEC- Spa Jan, O2 Institute, Birm- PAMA INTERNATIONAL TIVE Fri 25 - Sat 26 Music ingham LIVE Thurs 24 Jan, Jan, The Jam House, PRO YOUTH PHILHARMONIA: BEACON RAFAŁ BLECHACZ (PIANO) IN RECITAL OF HOPE TOUR Featuring Wissam SUCH GOLD Wed 23 Hare & Hounds, Birm- Birmingham Programme includes works by Boustany (conductor) & Matthew Jan, The Asylum, ingham SLOTHRUST + ACTIVE Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann & Barley (cello). Programme includes Birmingham THE HUNNA Thurs 24 - BIRD COMMUNITY Sat Chopin, Wed 23 Jan, Birmingham works by Bushra El-Turk, Dvorak, Sat 26 Jan, O2 Insti- 26 Jan, The Sunflower JEZ LOWE Wed 23 Jan, Town Hall Amelia Clarkson & Beethoven, Sat The Red Lion Folk tute, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham COULL QUARTET: OF KINGS AND SIS- 26 Jan, The Bramall, University of Club, Birmingham CATAPULT CLUB FEAT ALI DIG Sat 26 Jan, The TERS Programme includes works by Birmingham GILBERT EP LAUNCH Fri Night Owl, B’ham MARTIN BARRE BAND Mendelssohn, Mozart & Beethoven, ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Fea- 25 Jan, O2 Academy, Wed 23 Jan, The BOOTLEG ABBA + BEE Wed 23 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, turing Kenneth Woods (conductor) & Birmingham Robin, Bilston GEES FEVER Sat 26 Coventry Pavel Šporcl (violin). Programme JOHNNY 2 BAD Fri 25 Jan, The Robin, Bil- BLACK MIDI Wed 23 TASMIN LITTLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH comprises Dvorak’s Slavonic Jan, The Robin, Bil- ston Jan, Hare & Hounds, KEELE CONCERTS Programme in- Dances, Violin Concerto in A minor ston Birmingham R.E.S.P.E.C.T TO ARETHA cludes works by Telemann, Albeniz, op.53 & Symphony no.8 in G minor op.88, Sat 26 Jan, Malvern Theatres THE 1975 Wed 23 Jan, THE LOST PROJECTS Fri Sat 26 Jan, The Core Bach & Panufnik, Wed 28 Jan, New Arena Birmingham 25 Jan, Hare & Theatre, Solihull Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme A NIGHT IN THE WEST END WITH KERRY Hounds, Birmingham ELLIS Sun 27 Jan, Birmingham Town STEVE SAUNDERS PRE- THE GT’S Sat 26 Jan, TETZLAFF PLAYS SIBELIUS Featuring Hall SENTS THE JAZZ CLUB AFRO-CUBAN JAZZ OR- The Night Owl, B’ham City of Birmingham Symphony Or- Wed 23 Jan, Royal CHESTRA Fri 25 Jan, JOE GODDARD (DJ SET) - chestra, Karl-Heinz Steffens (con- Birmingham Conser- Eastside Jazz Club, ALL NIGHT LONG Sat 26 ductor) & Christian Tetzlaff (violin- vatoire Royal Birmingham Jan, Hare & Hounds, pictured). Programme includes Conservatoire LUCAS D & THE GROOVE Birmingham works by Sibelius & Brahms, Wed 23 Comedy - Thurs 24 Jan, Symphony Hall, GHETTO Wed 23 Jan, THE NEIL DIAMOND VIVA VOULEZ VOUS: A TOADALLY FREE COMEDY Mon 21 Jan, Birmingham The Jam House, Birm- STORY Fri 25 Jan, The CELEBRATION OF THE The Blue Orange Theatre, B’ham ingham Core Theatre, Solihull MUSIC OF ABBA Sat 26 JASON MANFORD Tues 22 Jan, The- THE SYD LAWRENCE OR- Jan, The Crescent atre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre, Birmingham DALISO CHAPONDA, JONNY AWSUM & CLOUD NOTHING + SPE- IAN SMITH Thurs 24 Jan, The Bra- CIAL GUESTS Sat 26 mall, Birmingham Jan, The Castle and Falcon, Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- SON FEATURING COMIC TBC Thurs 24 GAVIN JAMES Sat 26 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham Jan, O2 Institute, Birm- ingham BRING YOUR OWN BABY COMEDY Thurs 24 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham MUSED Sat 26 Jan, O2 CBSO: GLINKA AND BRAHMS TRIOS Fea- Academy, Birmingham turing Oliver Janes (clarinet), David OMID DJALILI, STEPHEN BAILEY, ROSIE Powell (cello) & Robert Markham JONES & WAYNE BEESE Fri 25 Jan, BRONNIE - GEEKS & (piano). Programme includes works Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, B’ham FREAKS TOUR Sun 27 by Glinka & Brahms, Fri 25 Jan, Jan, O2 Academy, DAVE GORMAN Sat 26 Jan, Warwick CBSO Centre, Birmingham Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry CARDUCCI STRING QUARTET Featuring RIC SANDERS TRIO Sun STEPHEN K AMOS Sat 26 Jan, War- Matthew Denton & Michelle Fleming 27 Jan, Lichfield Guild- wick Arts Centre, Coventry (violins), Eoin Schmidt-Martin (viola) hall AATIF NAWAZ Sat 26 Jan, The Glee OMYO - O2 Academy, Birmingham & Emma Denton (cello). Programme whatsonlive.co.uk 63 Subscription Advert New Jan 2019.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 18:08 Page 1 The List Birmingham 21-27 January.qxp_Layout 1 14/12/2018 11:32 Page 4

Monday 21 - Sunday 27 January

theClub, Birmingham list through a mix of political satire, mod- DANIEL SLOSS Sat 26 Jan, O2 ern morality, physical theatre and Academy, Birmingham multimedia spectacle. Presented by BOA Year 13 Acting Students, Mon 21 - Tues 22 Jan, The Old Rep, Birm- ingham ABIGAIL'S PARTY Jodie Prenger leads the cast, Mon 21 - Sat 26 Jan, The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham LIVING WITH THE LIGHTS ON The ‘grip- ping story of a life lived on the edge’, Tues 22 - Sat 26 Jan, The REP, Birm- ingham GHOST THE MUSICAL Hit stage show based on the much-loved movie starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore & Whoopi Goldberg, Tues 22 - Sat 26 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Peter Pan - Birmingham Hippodrome TEZ ILYAS, HOWARD READ, ANDY ASKINS & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 26 Jan, The SINATRA: RAW Warts-and-all portrait of Kate as she talks about her latest Comedy Loft, Birmingham Frank Sinatra’s last intimate show in book and her life working with Palm Springs in 1971, Wed 23 - Sat Kids Shows wildlife, Thurs 24 Jan, Lichfield Gar- BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 26 26 Jan, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE SNOWMAN Stage show based on rick Birmingham Raymond Briggs' popular children's DAVE GORMAN Sun 27 Jan, Symphony GEORGE GALLOWAY & FRIENDS: THE NELL GWYNN Presented by BOA Year book, Wed 16 - Sat 26 Jan, The REP, Hall, Birmingham OUTSIDERS Veteran MP, writer and 13 Acting Students, Thurs 24 - Fri 25 Birmingham broadcaster George Galloway - Jan, The Old Rep, Birmingham elected six times to parliament in CHINESE NEW YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA three different cities - and Ken Living- Showcase of Chinese performing stone - an MP and twice mayor of Theatre arts, including contortion and lion Dance London - take a trip down memory dancing, Sun 27 Jan, Wolverhampton lane, Sun 27 Jan, The Old Rep The- ANTON & ERIN: DANCE THOSE MAGICAL ENRON The story of the rise and fall of Grand Theatre atre, Birmingham Texan energy company Enron, told MUSICALS ‘The nation’s favourite ball- room couple’ present their new dance production. Also featuring TV favourite Lance Ellington and the London Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe, Sat 26 Film Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: WARU (15) Drama. Starring Awahina Rose Ashby, Jonny Brugh. Foreign language, subtitled. MAC, Birming- Pantomime ham, Wed 23 Jan RAY & LIZ (15) Drama. Starring PETER PAN Jimmy Osmond, Meera Richard Ashton, Michelle Bonnard. Syal, Jaymi Hensley and Matt Slack MAC, Birmingham, Thurs 24 Jan star in a swashbuckling pantomime THE GENERAL (U) Drama. Starring adventure featuring ‘barrels of laugh- Buster Keaton. Highbury Theatre, ter, amazing flying effects and a trip Birmingham, Sat 26 Jan to Neverland’, until Sun 27 Jan, Birm- ingham Hippodrome NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released from Fri 25 Jan, showing at selected cinemas A DOG'S WAY HOME (tbc) Talks DESTROYER (15) MARK KERMODE: HOW DOES IT FEEL? SECOND ACT (12a) Film critic Mark Kermode recounts VICE (15) his utterly foolhardy attempts to fulfill his dreams of becoming a pop star, Mon 21 Jan, The REP, Birmingham AN AUDIENCE WITH JOANNA TROLLOPE Spend an evening with the popular Events author, who’s been described as one BEHIND THE SCENES GUIDED TOUR OF of the 21st century’s most insightful BLAKESLEY HALL Wed 23 Jan, social commentators, Tues 22 Jan, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry CELEBRATE BURNS NIGHT WITH CHIVAS LIBRARY LATES Relaxed evening of REGAL A ‘meet the distiller’ evening poetry & spoken word with guest that sees traditional food paired with Emma Purshouse, Thurs 24 Jan, The samples of whisky, Fri 25 Jan, Black Core Theatre, Solihull Country Living Museum, Dudley AN EVENING WITH KATE HUMBLE Join

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thelist Monday 28 - Thursday 31 January Gigs Classical Music

THE MESSTHETICS Mon 28 Jan, Hare & LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT Mon 28 Hounds, Birmingham Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham BEN OTTEWELL Mon 28 Jan, Hare & BEETHOVEN’S VIOLIN CONCERTO Featur- Hounds, Birmingham ing Cristian M celaru (conductor), Augustin Hadelichā (violin) & the City BASTILLE Tues 29 - Wed 30 Jan, O2 of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Academy, Birmingham Programme includes works by AMY SHARK Tues 29 Jan, O2 Institute, Prokofiev, Beethoven & Vaughan Birmingham Williams, Wed 30 Jan, Symphony JUDY COLLINS Tues 29 Jan, The Glee Hall, Birmingham Club, Birmingham ST PETERSBURG PHILHARMONIC Featur- THE WILD LIFE + WILLIAM RAY KEY ing Yuri Temirkanov (conductor), Tues 29 Jan, O2 Institute, B’ham Freddy Kempf (piano) & Nadine Koutcher (soprano). Programme in- JAZZ CANON: THE MUSIC OF HORACE cludes works by Prokofiev, Rach- SILVER Tues 29 Jan, Eastside Jazz maninoff & Mahler, Thurs 31 Jan, Club, Royal Birmingham Conserva- Symphony Hall, Birmingham toire A VIENNESE STRAUSS GALA Tues 29 DILLY DALLY Tues 29 Jan, Hare & Jan, The Core, Solihull Hounds, Birmingham SJM CONCERTS PRESENTS SILENT RIVAL Tues 29 Jan, Hare & Hounds, B’ham THE DANDY WARHOLS Tues 29 Jan, O2 Comedy Institute, Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- ISRAEL NASH Wed 30 Jan, O2 Insti- tute, Birmingham SON FEATURING COMIC TBC Thurs 31 Jan, The Glee Club, Birmingham THE WAVE PICTURES Wed 30 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Birmingham ALEXANDER O’NEAL Wed 30 Jan, The Jam House, Birmingham TYLER MASSEY’S A&E Wed 30 Jan, The Theatre Red Lion Folk Club, Birmingham FAME Jorgie Porter, Mica Paris & Keith THE SONGS OF LEONARD COHEN Wed Jack star in the hit musical, Mon 28 30 Jan, The Robin, Bilston Jan - Fri 2 Feb, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury LOW Wed 30 Jan, Birmingham Town Hall KINKY BOOTS Acclaimed West End musical that takes audiences from a THE WOMBATS Thurs 31 Jan, O2 Northampton factory floor to the Academy, Birmingham glamorous catwalks of Milan, Mon 28 Echoes & I Imagine - The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome LEDISI Thurs 31 Jan, Hare & Hounds, Jan - Sat 9 Feb, Regent Theatre, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent Jan, The Old Rep, Birmingham Core, Solihull BLOOD BROTHERS MORETALLICA Thurs 31 Jan, The HOPPERS Birmingham-based Gritty Willy Russell’s fa- ECHOES & I IMAGINE Featuring Aakash Robin, Bilston Theatre present a football-themed mous ‘play with music’, set in his na- Odedra and choreographed by con- tive Liverpool, Tues 29 Jan - Sat 2 temporary Kathak icon Aditi Mangal- THE SEARCHERS Thurs 31 Jan, The play, Tues 29 - Wed 30 Jan, The Old Feb, Malvern Theatres das, Thurs 31 Jan, The Patrick Core Theatre, Solihull Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham DOCTOR DOLITTLE THE MUSICAL Mark Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome MIKE WILLIAMS QUARTET Thurs 31 Jan, ROAD BOA Year 13 Acting Students Williams, Vicky Entwistle & Brian Eastside Jazz Club, Royal Birming- present an amateur staging of Jim Capron star in a new staging of Leslie ham Conservatoire Cartwright’s play, Tues 29 - Wed 30 Bricusse’s acclaimed family musical, Tues 29 Jan - Sat 9 Feb, Wolver- hampton Grand Theatre Talks THE VERDICT Middle Ground Theatre AN EVENING WITH SIR RANULPH FI- presents Barry Reed's critically ac- ENNES Explorer Sir Ranulph talks claimed courtroom drama. Ian Kelsey about his lifetime of adventure, Tues stars, Wed 30 Jan - Sat 2 Feb, Bel- 29 Jan, Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- grade Theatre, Coventry try ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS Fast-paced farce - an English adaptation of Ser- vant Of Two Masters, Wed 30 Jan - Sat 2 Feb, Lichfield Garrick

Dance GAELFORCE DANCE Fusion of traditional and contemporary Irish dance, music & song, Wed 30 Jan, The Dilly Dally - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

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