Worcestershire Cover July 2017 .qxp_Worcestershire Cover 26/06/2017 20:37 Page 1

DAME SARAH CONNOLLY AT Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL

WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S JULY ON 2017 Worcestershire ISSUE 379 JULY 2017 ’

WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD Onworcestershirewhatson.co.uk PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

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AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR Contents July Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:02 Page 2

July 2017

Contents

The Darkness - back in the UK to headline Godiva Festival more line-up info on page 19

Fusion The Mikado Summer Fun the list

theatre, dance and music on the all-male version of Gilbert & Places to visit and things to do Your 16-page streets of Bromsgrove Sullivan’s classic in Malvern during the school holidays... week-by-week listings guide page 4 page 30 page 40 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 22. Comedy 26. Theatre 32. Film 36. Visual Arts 47. Events

fb.com/whatsonwarwickshire fb.com/whatsonworcestershire @whatsonwarwicks @whatsonworcs Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine Warwickshire What’s On Magazine Worcestershire What’s On Magazine

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Yvonne Kentfield [email protected] 01743 281706 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MEDIA GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Elly Yates-Roberts elly@what- sonlive.co.uk 01743 281733 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox 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 Warwickshire_Worcs July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:12 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Reasons To Be Cheerful at the Coventry Belgrade A punk musical paying homage to rock’n’roll band Ian Dury And The Blockheads is visit- ing Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre in the au- tumn. Reasons To Be Cheerful is set in 1979 against the backdrop of mass strikes, punk rock and Labour’s crushing election defeat. The show follows die-hard Blockhead fans Vinnie and Colin as they set out to catch their favourite band live in concert at the Hammer- smith Odeon. With no tickets available for the sold-out gig, the boys are forced to think creatively, and find themselves embarking on a remarkable journey that leads to some rather unexpected consequences... Reasons To Be Cheerful shows at the Bel- grade on 8 & 9 September. For more info visit belgrade.co.uk

Worcester’s Civil War Fusion of arts hits the place at the Gaydon-located venue on Sunday 13 August. Attractions will include a large Story at The Commandery streets of Bromsgrove motor sport display area showing BMW Car Visitors to popular Worcester attraction The Club Track Days, a rolling road, a tombola & Commandery can immerse themselves in the prize draw, family entertainment, a Pirelli sounds and smells of battle from this month stand, Concours winners and trade stands. onwards, courtesy of a brand new interactive For more information, visit britishmotormu- experience. seum.co.uk or call 01926 641188. Worcester's Civil War Story brings to life The Commandery's captivating history via an in- Kids’ TV favourites set to teractive exhibition, a collection of signifi- cant objects and documents, a programme of People out shopping in Bromsgrove on Satur- star in the Midlands live events, a number of city-wide trails and a day 22 July are in for an extra-special treat, as A touring concert featuring stars from some face-to-face meeting with Oliver Cromwell. the local arts centre brings a winning combi- of kids’ TV’s most popular shows is set to fin- The new attraction opens on Saturday 29 nation of theatre, dance, music and singing ish youngsters’ summer holidays on a high July. For more information, visit worcester- to the town’s High Street. note when it visits Birmingham’s Barclaycard shire.gov.uk The Artrix-programmed Fusion event, hosted Arena on 2 September. by BBC Hereford & Worcester’s Tammy Good- Presented by Disney Channel UK and Girl ing, will feature performances from profes- Talk Magazine in association with DHX Tele- sional artists and the voluntary sector. vision and Live Nation, The Big Ticket Con- Contributors include fire and hula-hoop cert is hosted by fan-favourite dancers Trevor artist Tallulah Blue, Translucent Youth Dance Tordjman and Jordan Clark, best known for Company, Artrix Songstars Choir, Got2sing their roles in the tween drama, The Next Bromsgrove choir and North Bromsgrove Step. Trevor and Jordan are joined by a num- High School. ber of fellow cast members, including For more information, visit Taveeta, who’ll be performing her new single, artrix.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/fusion Resurrection. Stars from Disney Channel UK’s hit series The Lodge also feature, as do Backstage Motor Museum to host favourites McKenzie Small (Scarlett), Josh BMW gathering Bogert (Miles) and Aviva (Alya). For more information and to book tickets for Warwickshire’s British Motor Museum is set the show, visit barclaycardarena.co.uk to host Europe’s largest gathering of BMWs. The BMW Car Club National Festival takes 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwickshire_Worcs July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:12 Page 2

First Word

Leamington author wins prestigious writing prize The prestigious Jane Austen Writ- ing Prize has been won by a Leam- ington-based writer, artist and lecturer. Sally Tissington, a Creative Writ- ing tutor at the University of War- wick, had her short story, Tomato Pushing Girl, selected from nearly 300 submissions to the competi- tion, which was being run in hon- our of the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death. Sally’s winner’s prize was a £1,000 cheque, presented to her by HRH the Earl of Wessex. Already an established author, Sally published her debut novel, Crocodile On A Carousel, in 2012, and is now in the process of writ- Innovative digital art residency planned for Coventry ing a second novel, as well as a A series of workshops hosted by a team of digital artists is set to get Coventry’s residents thinking collection of short stories titled about ‘hidden moments of joy’. Unravel. The Canal Basin-based Ludic Rooms is a not-for-profit, post-digital arts organisation whose innova- tive residency will see them engaging with various community groups to produce a set of playful in- teractive artworks. “We want to engage a city of creators,” says Ludic Rooms’ Creative Director, Dom Breadmore, in ex- plaining his intention to provide “little hidden moments of joy” across the city. “We’ll be working with people to represent their experiences and creating artworks that spark the imagination. It’s sometimes the small things that you remember and which make you smile, not necessarily the huge spectacle. Our aim is to encourage people to think differently - to look at, for example, a bus stop, how we can use that differently, digitally, and how everyday life might look in a future city. Our cre- Coventry medieval ative process will be taking the public’s ideas - these moments of magic - and making them a reality.” attraction reopens to the public Coventry’s Priory Visitor Centre Museum in the Auditions in Brum for School Of Rock has been officially reopened to the public. running for top Aged between eight and 12? Play the drums, keys or the electric or Home to the 1000-year-old re- family award bass guitar? Fancy being in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash-hit West mains of the original St Mary’s End production of School Of Rock - The Musical? Worcester’s Tudor House Cathedral & Priory, the medieval If you can answer yes to all three of these questions, then you’ll be Museum is in the running attraction was closed last year as a delighted to know that the blockbuster show is holding open audi- for a major award. result of council cuts. tions in Birmingham on Saturday 15 July. To register your interest and The popular attraction has It will now be open three days a for more details, visit schoolofrockthemusical.co.uk/opencall week - from 10am until 4pm been shortlisted for The Thursday to Saturday - and will be Kids In Museums Family- run as a multi-purpose tourist, Friendly Museum Award, a events and social enterprise hub, prestigious competition hosting a range of cultural and ed- launched in 2004 and ucational events. based on public nomina- To help ensure continued public tions. access to the visitor attraction, a Located in a mid-16th cen- Friends of the Priory Appeal has tury Grade II listed build- been launched, with donations of ing, the museum is run by as little as £1 sought. Volunteers are also wanted to help the Worcester Heritage & run and maintain the venue. Amenity Trust group of vol- For more information, visit coven- unteers. trypriory.co.uk. The award’s winner will be announced in October. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Warwickshire_Worcs July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:12 Page 3

First Word

Purple Rain set to fall City youth tackle on Birmingham terrorism... A multicultural cast of A touring show celebrating the young people will this music of Prince will stop off at the month tackle the impact of Birmingham Hippodrome in March terrorism when they present next year. Steven Berkoff’s Requiem Presented by the producers of hit For Ground Zero, a eulogy to shows Hairspray, Motown The Musi- the thousands of victims of cal and Thriller Live, Purple Rain 9/11... Birmingham’s Stage2 will pay homage to the late star’s theatre company first per- songwriting genius and showman- formed the work in 2004. ship. The ensemble will be repris- The show visits Birmingham from 27 ing the piece at the Crescent to 31 March. For more information, Studio in the city’s Brindley- visit birminghamhippodrome.com place from 19 to 22 July. For more information, visit Coventry theatre New shopping destination for Worcester Stage2.org looks to the A new shopping and dining destination is set to open in Worcester at the Norfolk rockers future... end of this month. Coventry’s Belgrade The- The city’s Cathedral Plaza shopping centre has been the subject of a at the Kasbah atre is this month hosting a £20million transformation and renamed Cathedral Square. Alternative rock band Deaf week of performances by The revamped destination will feature seven new restaurants, remod- Havana will make a one- some of the UK’s most elled shop units, a gymnasium and a new public square in front of night-only stop-off in the promising young theatre Worcester Cathedral. Midlands this autumn as makers. The grand opening event on 29 July features: live cookery demonstra- part of a UK tour. The six-day event will tions by celebrity chef Lesley Waters; cocktail-making masterclasses The Norfolk rockers will bring together companies with one of Cathe- play Coventry’s Kasbah on from Coventry and beyond dral Square’s ven- Tuesday 14 November. to create theatre in a pre- ues, All Bar One; live Commenting on the gig, the professional context. entertainment; chil- venue’s Amarjit Kullar said: Performers will include dren’s workshops; “We’re very excited to be young theatre makers and an outdoor welcoming Deaf Havana and emerging from the Bel- screening of Harry their fans back to the Kas- grade’s own Community & Potter And The bah. This is the only oppor- Education programme. Philosopher’s Stone. tunity to see the band in the The works being presented region on the tour, and are described by the Bel- we’re expecting a huge grade as ‘vibrant and var- crowd down for this one. ied, celebrating the hopes, Exploring the art of celebrity at city gallery The fans on the rock scene challenges and creativity of are up there with the best of Film and music aficionados may those whose hands hold any genre, and they will no well find themselves in their own the direction of the future’. doubt come out in force to personal seventh heaven if they visit All Our Tomorrows takes see Deaf Havana. We’re ex- Worcester’s art gallery & museum place from Tuesday 11 to pecting a sell-out for this this summer, courtesy of a one-off Sunday 16 July. show, so make sure you exhibition of memorabilia. For more information, visit don’t miss out on tickets With its star attraction being Marilyn belgrade.co.uk/event/all- when they’re released.” Monroe's Little Black Dress (pic- our-tomorrows To check out ticket availabil- tured), Celebrity also features Fred ity, visit seetickets.com or Astaire's shoes and Doris Day's kasbahnightclub.co.uk rhinestone bracelet. Other highlights include a Michael Jackson Danger- ous Tour jacket and a variety of items signed by numerous music icons, including Chuck Berry and Oasis. The exhibition shows at the venue until 9 September. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk Gin Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 17:17 Page 2

by Elly Yates-Roberts

LET THE SUMMER BE- Is there any better way to celebrate summer than by sipping an ice-cold G&T on a warm, sunny day? WeGIN think not. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best gin bars in and around Warwickshire and Worcestershire. From mobile bars and restaurants to a French-themed boutique-style café, there are plenty of great venues to visit where it’s always Gin O’Clock.

Primo The Little Gin Company Saffrons Bistro Just moments away from the busy This unique and independent This independent bistro loves gin Worcester streets is this premium mobile gin business prides itself and has built up quite the destination, offering an on catering for its customers’ 3 selection - over 60, in fact, independent1 bar and dining experience in every gin need. ranging from the classic Plymouth to the historic part of Sudbury. Available for private and corporate hire, the current favourite Brockmans. Primo's contemporary cuisine and converted horse trailer features its very Saffrons is a largely undiscovered gem, its ‘carefully crafted’ cocktail list is sure to own gin club, offering a gin-tasting slightly wonky, cosy atmosphere making leave you satiated yet wanting more! experience that’s perfect for birthdays, it the perfect stop-off for a pre-dinner G&T The extensive drinks menu features 29 gins anniversaries or any sort of do. or an after-dinner liqueur coffee. on a purely ‘spirit level’, alongside a large The company also hosts artisan gin-tasting Gin junkies can learn more about their selection of gin cocktails. sessions. Choose your favourite to enjoy as favourite spirit in the venue’s special gin- The Glass Bar, a wonderful addition to the a full drink, complete with all the required tasting sessions. These feature a choice of already avant-garde restaurant, is one of accompaniments. five gins with botanical pairings and the best spaces in which to enjoy the The company is based in Warwickshire limitless Fever Tree tonic for only £25! carefully selected gins! but can be found appearing at food & 15 New St, Worcester WR1 2DP 55 Sidbury, Worcester WR1 2HU drink festivals across the Midlands. Find out more at thelittlegincompany.com

Cafe Vin Cinq Restaurant 23 G & Tea Voted the best bar in Rugby, this Offering a ‘unique, highly satisfying G & Tea is the realisation of intimate French-themed boutique- and relaxed’ experience, this lifelong friends Chrissy and style venue boasts 120-plus years of decadently decked-out restaurant Therese’s shared dream to open a experience and a wide range of gin cocktails certainly won’t disappoint. With several gins tearoom with a twist. to enjoy. to choose from, not to mention some Quaint yet wacky, the venue caters for its It also hosts now-famous cocktail workshops. unorthodox but delightful-sounding customers all hours of the day, offering the Providing an introduction to mixology and cocktails, Restaurant 23 definitely deserves classic tearoom essentials as well as its the history of cocktails, the sessions offer its place on the gin trail. signature Gin Teapot Cocktails for gin participants the chance to become The venue’s overall atmosphere fits in enthusiasts. connoisseurs of the shaken drink, the perfectly with the gin image: snazzy, 45 Friar St, Worcester WR1 2NA muddled drink and the multi-layered drink, sophisticated and exceptionally satisfying. not to mention the opportunity to try 34 Hamilton Terrace, Leamington Spa something new. CV32 4LY 25 High St, Rugby CV21 3BW

whatsonlive.co.uk 7 BE Festival DPS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 17:54 Page 1

the soul of europe BE Festival returns to the Birmingham REP this month with its annual celebration of international theatre, art and collaboration.

With last month’s snap general election hav- “This year we received 1,070 applications to country, so it’s all interconnected.” ing yielded no clear victor, a disunited parlia- perform, as well as several visual arts pro- Aptly enough, the theme for the visual arts ment now prepares to lead the country posals,” says Miguel Oyarzun, co-director of programme this year is ‘Borders’ - a topic through Brexit, one of its toughest foreign BE Festival. “Within the range of work we’ve which has only become more pertinent since policy challenges in decades. As chance seen in our scouting across Europe, artists it was selected a couple of years previously. would have it, 2016’s Birmingham European have definitely been tapping into current “We are living in a global society now,” says Festival directly coincided with the UK’s EU socio-political issues - as of course they co-director Isla Aguilar, “and I don’t really referendum on 23 June. Since then, shifting should do. Part of that is Brexit, but actually understand why we keep trying to put up moods have repeatedly thwarted all attempts that’s just one symptom of what’s happen- these walls to contain us and stop us from to predict political outcomes across the conti- ing: there aren’t any shows here talking being close to each other. From a sociological nent: these are certainly interesting times. about Brexit directly, but there are lots that point of view, I think it’s important to have address the wider situation in Europe and Now, with the nature of the UK’s future rela- people from other countries coming here and across the world. For example, we have a tionship with Europe looking more uncertain enriching us with new cultures. We try to cel- show about the economic and refugee crises than ever, BE Festival returns to the Birming- ebrate difference in the festival. But I also re- in Greece, and we have another about how ham REP with its annual celebration of inter- ally liked the idea of crossing borders people can become extremists, which taps national theatre, art and collaboration. because I think it’s the main ethos of the fes- into fears about people coming into the 8 whatsonlive.co.ukk BE Festival DPS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 17:55 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

tival. In terms of artistic disciplines, crossing dum are still far from being resolved, after in- live art, drama, physical theatre, dance, cir- borders can help us to create something very terviewing people on Birmingham’s streets, cus and more, with opportunities to see four rich.” Oyarzun believes voters on both sides are shows in a single day, there are also work- Among the most striking manifestations of now beginning to tire of the debate. shops running daily and post-show live the Borders theme will be Asingeline by Ger- “Since Brexit has been in the news and every- music playing until late each night. And of man company Mameza. This community pro- where constantly, the vision of Europe has be- course, BE Festival’s famous interval dinners ject-cum-interactive installation takes the come very politicised - when you think of are a crucial part of the schedule. Taking form of a single, straight line of red tape, laid Europe here, the first thing you think of is place between the second and third shows of down by the artists over the course of a few Brexit. But actually, it’s about many more the evening, they’re held in a large, open days and arriving at the theatre in time for the things than that, and with this festival and space, with unreserved bench seating at long festival opening. the theme of Borders we’re trying to share tables, in a bid to encourage everyone to meet and talk to new people. “They go through shops, they go through with audiences another idea of Europe - one houses - just about anywhere!” says Aguilar. that is political, of course, but also one that is The warmth, friendliness and commitment to “It’s a piece which tries to bring people into fun, that is about sharing and making con- nurturing new talent at BE keeps both staff the theatre, but also works the other way by nections and discovering things about our- and visitors returning year on year, some- taking theatre out into the streets. They’ve selves through the eyes of other people.” times in very different capacities. Working done this in many cities around the world, This spirit of playful interaction, conversation with young people as part of 2017’s BE Next but it’s never been done in the UK before, so and co-operation extends to subverting tradi- scheme is Anna Howard Himali, who has a I’m really looking forward to seeing how it tional audience-artist relationships, both dur- long history with the event. works in Birmingham.” ing the shows themselves and in the friendly, “Anna started as one of our volunteers when “We’re offering free tickets for people whose informal spaces between them where visitors, she was 17,” explains Oyarzun. “Then she houses are crossed by the line,” adds artists, programmers and organisers alike all worked with us as part of the organisation Oyarzun. “The idea is to connect up an area come together to unwind, break bread and before becoming a REP Foundry artist. Now of the city with low artistic engagement to the start discussions. she’s working in London as a director!” venue, so in this case it will be going from La- “One of the main aims of the festival is that “It’s a beautiful thing,” adds Aguilar. “We’ve dywood to the REP through Brindleyplace.” everybody talks about what they’ve seen,” worked with lots of young people who’ve vol- Another interactive piece called British says Aguilar. “It’s not always easy to create a unteered and gone on to run their own ven- Enough? plays on the idea of national iden- space where artists can talk with audiences tures. At that age, it can help to open a tity, taking its cues from official tests that directly, but I think it’s very important to open window, so if someone really wants to en- non-British nationals must now pass in order conversations and break down the barrier be- gage and come back, we always try to facili- to adopt UK citizenship. tween them. Part of the reason artists want to tate that.” bring their work here is that we create a kind “It’s a site-specific project made especially for “There was a quote from one journalist who of hub where they get to stay for the whole the REP through a collaboration between described BE as ‘an experience that goes be- week, see all of the works and really experi- Kristina Cranfield and Foolish People,” yond theatre’,” says Oyarzun, “and that re- ence the city.” Oyarzun explains. “Audiences will go through ally speaks to what we’re trying to achieve a series of tests inspired by the British citizen- “The artists that come here do so with a spirit here. We try to put art at the centre of some- ship test, and depending on the results, they of sharing and trying to develop new audi- thing even bigger, which is about the experi- will then be taken to a series of secret loca- ences for contemporary work,” adds Oyarzun. ence and the encounter and sharing and tions in the building, It’s a great way to dis- “We encourage them to make themselves celebrating the crossing of borders together.” cover parts of the REP you’ve never seen available to audiences and to really take on before. Some of the staff have never even board their comments. I think that’s what’s been to these places, so it should be really lovely about this festival - there’s a different fun.” kind of ethos than you’d find at a normal BE Festival takes place at the Birmingham event where you just go and see shows.” REP from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 July. But though the questions of identity, security and cohesion thrown up by the EU referen- As well as a dazzlingly diverse programme of

whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food July Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 18:39 Page 1 Food July Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 18:39 Page 2

Food

but gets a bit lazy with its dessert. That is decidedly not the case at The Bower House. The compressed Granny Smith ter- rine with apple sorbet my com- panion enjoyed was sublime, fusing sweet and sharper flavours with ease. My chocolate and orange delice was the best pudding I’ve tasted in a very long time. A rich ‘slab’ of dark choco- late came with small orange pieces, honeycomb and an or- ange sorbet. Yes, it was sweet, but there were different types of beautifully natural sweetness at play with every mouthful. Each dessert was £7.50 and worth every penny. Our meal was served with bot- tomless water, and the wine list is substantial; it’s refreshing to see that most wines can be bought by the glass as well as by the bottle. My white Domaine Coste Chardonnay and my friend’s red Argentinian Malbec, each coming in at around £6 for a small glass, are highly recom- mended. REVIEW: The Bower House, Shipston-on-Stour For mains, I opted for seared Service was friendly and knowl- lamb neck (£20) served with edgeable, the tableware of the Top marks for new addition to the chicory and a fairly substantial highest quality (I especially ‘scrumpet’ (Google it and forever loved the napkins and glass- Warwickshire restaurant scene fall in love with it). In an in- ware!). spired twist, it was offset by a co- The Bower House deserves to do The Bower House is a new addi- anywhere else I would rather riander yoghurt gel. I wasn’t well, and with the pending addi- tion to the South Warwickshire have been eating. asked how I wanted the lamb tion of five bedrooms in which to cooked (you can debate whether dining scene. Located in Ship- The menu is fairly small, with stay and a tempting brunch, I’m I should have been). It came ston-on-Stour, just 15 minutes four or five choices per course, hoping to make a repeat visit in pink, as it often does in good from Stratford-upon-Avon, the including vegetarian, fish and the very near future. restaurants, but I’d have pre- eatery looks set to make a real meat options. Skipping the pre- Katherine Ewing ferred it to have had a few more splash. starters of fancy nibbles or oys- minutes in the pan. Yet again, The restaurant is on the ground ters, I jumped straight in with a my friend got the better dish. His Food: nnnnn floor of a Georgian townhouse beetroot cured salmon with Cornish skate (£18, great to see a Service: nnnnn and comes complete with un- horseradish and dill (£7.50). This slightly less obvious fish on the Ambience: nnnnn clothed tables - primarily with cold starter was served with menu) was beautifully cooked, Overall value nnnnn wooden or marble tops - and slithers of potato and small, sil- its subtle flavours complemented OVERALL nnnnn mismatched chairs. But don’t verskin onions, providing a deli- by a smooth yet salty caper but- think shabby chic, just think cious mix of piquant and more ter sauce, spring veg and al- chic. subtle flavours. Good, but my The Bower House monds. We did add some fine dining partner’s Brixham crab Market Place My dining partner and I were beans and Jersey royals as side with peas and courgette (£8.50) Shipston on Stour seated in the main dining area, dishes (£3.50 each), but our was even better. The fresh crab CV36 4AG which, with its down-to-the-floor mains were pretty substantial so had depth but also felt delight- Tel: 01608 663 333 windows, enjoys plenty of won- we didn’t really need them. derful natural light. On the early fully light, and the choice of ac- I often find that a restaurant tries summer evening when we vis- companying vegetables made it hard with its first two courses ited, I really couldn’t think of the perfect seasonal dish. whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Food July Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 18:40 Page 3

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Food

Marco Pierre White opens new restaurant Three times Michelin-starred celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has opened a new Steakhouse Bar & Grill restaurant in four-star hotel The Best Western Plus Manor, located in Meriden, near Solihull. A popular venue for local food lovers and hotel guests, the restaurant’s menu features signature MPW steaks, timeless English and French classics and a comprehensive selection of premium cocktails, all delivered with Marco’s unique flair. “My restaurants are not pretentious,” says Marco. “Instead they are about enjoying your evening, with excellent Thai restaurant launches new summer drinks menu food and drink in luxurious, relaxed Thai restaurant group Giggling Squid has refreshed its menu with a new range of delicious drinks surroundings, and quite simply having ideal for the sizzling summer weather. Cooling cocktails, light lagers and tropical juices will help a good time.” to quench the thirst of visitors to the group’s Warwick and Stratford venues. The Meriden restaurant is Marco’s 24th The new cocktails include the Strawberry Spritz, a fruity concoction of fresh strawberry-infused Steakhouse to open in the UK. vodka, hibiscus flower and dry rosé wine topped with refreshing soda. There’s also the Thai Coconut, a mix of gin and fresh coconut rum served with Fever Tree ginger Warwick beer festival ale and finished with ginger matchsticks and a squeeze of lime. If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, try The Summer Garden, made from Seedlip – the bigger than ever world’s first distilled non-alcoholic spirit – and served with Fever Tree’s Elderflower tonic and a Over 2,500 people are expected to de- cucumber ribbon. scend on Warwick Racecourse this Giggling Squid also offers lunchtime tapas and a separate dinner menu, both featuring a selection month as it hosts its biggest ever Beer, of seafood, meat, curries, noodles and stir-fry options. Cider & Music Festival. Taking place on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 July, the event is set to feature around A celebration of all things tasty at Worcester food festival 85 different barrelled beers and over 30 unique ciders. The Worcester Foodie Festival makes a welcome return to the city centre next month (Friday 4 - Sunday 6 August). Organised by Worcester BID, the free event boasts around 50 stalls, food & drink matching ses- New menu for Brum’s sions, cookery demonstrations and masterclasses. The festival will also feature an event area in Tom’s Kitchen eatery the recently revamped Cathedral Square. Michelin-starred chef Jean-Christophe Novelli headlines on the Saturday. Also in the weekend Tom’s Kitchen at Birmingham’s Mailbox line-up is Richard Fox - who’s become a popular fixture at the festival - and a number of local has launched a brand new summer chefs from city centre restaurants. menu featuring a host of seasonal dishes. A key element of the menu - which has been created by Michelin-starred Tom Aikens, the restaurant’s owner and head chef - is the introduction of a number of vegetarian dishes. These include Norfolk asparagus with landcress salad, summer truffles, a cacklebean egg yolk finished with spelt granola and a courgette dukkah and raw fennel salad served with turmeric and saffron dressing. For meat eaters, roast breast of duck and grilled baby spatchcock chicken are among the new additions.

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14 whatsonlive.co.uk GIGS July WARWICKS_WORCS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:18 Page 2

Gigs

Seth Lakeman RST, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sun 23 July Starting out in the 1990s alongside brothers Sam and Sean, Seth Lakeman boldly stepped into the solo spotlight in 2002. He immedi- ately found an audience with debut album The Punch Bowl, before going on to bag a Mercury Prize nomination for follow-up offer- ing Kitty Jay. In between writing and recording albums, he’s played to audiences around the world, performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra and become a dad of twins. The award-winning multi-instrumentalist here performs with his full band, playing tracks from his eighth studio album, Ballads Of The Broken Few.

The Strypes the biggest band in the world on our first record, which is stupid,” says guitarist Josh. The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Thurs 6 July “We’ve never known what it’s like to go to After a whirlwind four years of non-stop college, so this is our college. It’s all we touring, rock’n’roll band The Strypes visit know, and it feels like we’ve come out the Warwickshire following the release of third other end relatively okay.” album Spitting Image. Man The Echo, Arthur And The Invincibles “Everybody was saying we were gonna be and David Keenan support.

Hackney Colliery Band UFO Blink 182 Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 15 July Birmingham Town Hall, Thurs 27 July Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 7 July A favourite on the festival scene, Hackney Formed in 1969 by vocalist Phil Mogg, drum- Perhaps best known for their high-energy Colliery Band provide an eclectic and unique mer Andy Parker, guitarist Mick Bolton and live shows and irreverent toilet humour, mix of dancefloor-filling contemporary rock, bassist Pete Way, UFO’s global breakthrough punk-pop favourites Blink 182 came to jazz, soul and electronica. arrived four years later, following the arrival prominence in the early 1990s. With a New Orleans-style line-up of trumpets, of German guitarist Michael Schenker. The band have sold over 12 million albums trombones, saxes, sousaphone and drum, ex- Schenker was the catalyst for a hat-trick of in the US and more than 35 million world- pect the fellas to present a high-energy show album successes - Phenomenon (1974), wide. They’re currently basking in the glory featuring music from critically acclaimed Force It (1975) and No Heavy Pettin’ (1976). of their recent UK and US chart success, Cal- 2016 album Sharpener and highlights from Their latest offering is A Conspiracy Of ifornia. previous releases. Stars, an album that brings together meaty Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls and The riffs, intelligent lyrics and a laid-back atti- Front Bottoms support. tude - a combination which has served the band well for almost half a century.

Linkin Park Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 6 July Hailing from Agoura Hills in California, rock band Linkin Park rose to international fame following the release of debut album Hybrid Theory in the year 2000. Best known for sin- gles Numb, In The End and What I’ve Done, they’re this month visiting Birmingham in support of new album One More Light. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:19 Page 1 Classical Warwickshire.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:19 Page 2

Classical

Dame Evelyn Glennie Lichfield Cathedral, Mon 10 July There’s certainly nothing middle of the road about Dame Evelyn Glennie. The Scottish-born 51-year-old was the first full-time solo percussionist in the world and the first classical musician to have her own website. She’s also the proud owner of a staggering 2,000-plus musical instruments. If you add to that list of fascinating facts numerous other terrific titbits - she speaks ‘Buchan tongue’, a language used only in the North East of Scotland, plays the Great Highland Bagpipes and owns her own tartan, the delightfully named Rhythms Of Evelyn Glennie - it becomes clear that you’ll be spending the evening in the company of a truly remarkable woman. If you’re looking for a musical experience which is just that little bit different, then this is most definitely a concert to catch. Orchestra Of The Swan: Classical Masterpieces Stratford Artshouse, Sat 22 July As well as being held in high regard for their championing of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan are also much ad- mired for their performances of works by legendary composers, three of whom feature in their latest programme of music. Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no2 is a piece with which the composer tried to establish him- self in the late 1790s, and is here performed by Young Steinway Artist Thomas Nickell. Haydn’s Symphony no47 is nicknamed The Palindrome, due to its 3rd movement being played forwards, then backwards. Schubert’s much-admired fifth symphony is greatly in- fluenced by Mozart, about whom he famously wrote, “What countless impressions of a brighter, better life hast thou stamped upon our souls!” David Curtis (pictured) conducts. Igor Levit Performs Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes and Fugues The Redditch Orchestra: Academia Musica Choir Birmingham Town Hall, Wed 5 July Last Night Of The Proms Great Malvern Priory, Worcestershire, The full-cycle of Shostakovich’s 24 Pre- Sat 8 July Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sat 8 July ludes and Fugues is here performed by the “More and more people are realising the outstanding Russian-German pianist, Igor Presented as part of the Bromsgrove Festi- power that music has to bring people and Levit. Shostakovich’s marathon work was val, this Redditch Orchestra concert offers communities together,” says Julian Lloyd a homage to Bach, drawing its inspiration music lovers the chance to dust off their Webber in talking about Academia Musica from the latter’s set of 48 preludes and union jack hats and enjoy some flag-waving Choir, “so it’s wonderful that Hereford has fugues, The Well-Tempered Clavier. fun. Included in a suitably robust pro- such a facility on its doorstep.” gramme of music is Henry Wood’s Sea Originally created as an ambitious scholar- Songs and Rule Britannia, the Worcester- ship training programme for maintained- shire born-and-bred Elgar’s Pomp And Cir- sector sixth-form students, the choir is cumstance and, to finish off proceedings in nowadays thriving as a semi-professional suitably patriotic fashion, Hubert Parry’s ensemble, presenting a unique choral pro- ever-magnificent Jerusalem. gramme in venues throughout the UK. The Redditch Orchestra is always good This Malvern Priory concert sees them value, and is here performing in its 69th teaming up with Selwyn College Choir and year. Expect big celebrations in 2018... the English Symphony Orchestra to present a performance of Bach’s B Minor Mass. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Festivals July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 11:50 Page 1

18 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 11:50 Page 2

Festivals

The Mostly Jazz Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July Created by the Midlands masterminds behind Moseley Folk and Lunar Festival, Mostly Jazz, Funk And Soul does just what it says on the tin. World-class artists come together with the leading lights of the local jazz scene in a laid- back, family-friendly event celebrating Brum's musical heritage. Like its sister folk festival, it's located in the gorgeous Moseley Park, a stunning woodland glade tucked away behind busy Birmingham streets - making it the ideal retreat for music- loving city-dwellers. Line-up includes: Chaka Khan, Soul II Soul, St Paul & the Broken Bones, The Sugarhill Gang, The Pharcyde, Craig Charles, Crazy P, Omar, Don Letts, Lee Fields & the Expres- sions, The Comet is Coming, Harleighblu, Marta Ren & the Groovelets, Too Many T’s, Stuff

Fuse Festival Middle Of Nowhere Fest Godiva Festival Beacon Park, Lichfield, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge, Staffs, War Memorial Park, Coventry, Fri 28 - Sun 30 July Fri 7 - Sun 9 July Now established as one of the Midlands’ largest free music and arts festivals, Fuse re- Proudly reaffirming its status as the UK's turns to the beautiful Beacon Park with biggest and best free music festival, Godiva music, grassroots projects, family activities presents another bumper crop of top-notch and more. Visit Panic Circus in their Big Top talent as it returns for 2017. Veteran perform- for shows, workshops and games; get hands- ers join emerging talent working across a on with a junk orchestra, dance and graffiti dazzling array of genres. While the tradi- art in the Imaginarium; or join choirs from tional Godiva procession continues today, the across the district for the massive City Sing. weekend’s certainly come a long way since its 17th century origins as a celebration of the Line-up includes: The Assist, Born Again legendary medieval Countess of Mercia. Beatles, People’s Republic of Mercia, Marquis Drive, Pollen, Matuki, Hankks, Barbarellas Line-up includes: The Stranglers, Cast, Ex- Bang Bang, The Bar Steward Sons of Val ample & DJ Wire, Carl Barât & the Jackals, Doonican, The Tuts, Ed Geater, Kissmet, The Darkness, Kate Nash, The Amazons, Mal- lory Knox, Tom Clarke (The Enemy), Pulled China Shop Bull, Harry & the Howlers, Elek- Having moved a few times before settling in Apart By Horses, Panjabi MC, Alabama 3 tric, The Ellipsis, Folklaw, Baraka its current home in 2012, Middle Of Nowhere Acoustic, Lucy Spraggan, Badfinger, Lucy welcomes revellers of all ages to enjoy a fan- Rose, The Institutes tastic range of blues, rock and country acts, mixing tributes with original music. Kid-friendly features include a maize maze, adventure playground, the chance to meet a host of friendly farm animals and perhaps even enjoy a pony ride. Line-up includes: The Taskers, Too Petty, Fleetwood Bac, Jump the Shark, Angels with Dirty Faces, The Blue Horizon, The Great Roper Rodeo Band, The Zeppelin 3, Black Rose, Gaz Brookfield, Glam 45, The Jake Henry Band, The Runawayz, Smashed

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Festivals

Nozstock The Farm, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Fri 21 - Sun 23 July Founded by a fun-loving family in the noughties and still overseen by Farmer Noz, this eclectic and eccentric festival invites visi- tors to indulge their curiosity with an off-the- wall, generically diverse array of talent. Nine stages and several intimate, secluded areas showcase a wide array of entertain- ment, from live music near the Tudor farm- house and converted cowsheds, to after-dark, experimental comedy and cabaret in the ‘Bantam Of The Opera’ Theatre. Look out for arts and crafts, folk diversions, film screenings, dance workshops, sound art and much more. Line-up includes: Seasick Steve, Hayseed Dixie, Happy Mondays, The Sugarhill Gang, Hazard & Eksman, Delta Heavy, Ocean Wis- dom, Goldie Lookin’ Chain, Mind Vortex, Frankee, Ferocious Dog, Levelz, General Levy

Warwick Folk Festival MADE Birmingham Splendour Festival Warwick School & Warwick Town Centre, The Digbeth Triangle, Birmingham, Sat 29 July Wollaton Park, Nottingham, Sat 22 July Thurs 27 - Sun 30 July Since 2008, this family-friendly festival has Attracting some of the folk scene's most sea- built up a proud history of attracting national soned performers as well as scouting out the and international talent of the highest calibre best new talent, Warwick Folk Festival ranks to the city. In addition to an impressive two- among the UK’s best traditional music stage line-up of pop and indie artists, expect events. Conveniently located in the grounds a funfair, market stalls, kids’ activities and a of Warwick School, with its indoor and out- silent disco. Look out, too, for herds of red door performance space and plenty of indoor and fallow deer grazing in the beautiful yet facilities, it also boasts one of the most com- easily accessible Wollaton Park. fortable festival sites. Folk dance, kids' activi- ties, a friendly atmosphere and fringe acts in Line-up includes: Kaiser Chiefs, Billy Ocean, the town all contribute to making Warwick Busted, British Sea Power, Buzzcocks, Tony Hadley, Gabrielle Aplin, Will Varley, Black Folk one of the Midlands' most all-round en- From cutting-edge live music and dance to vi- Grape, Bud, Josh Wheatley, Yola Carter, joyable festival experiences. brant street art and design, the Metropolitan Georgie Line-up includes: Oysterband, The Spooky Arts & Dance Event (MADE Birmingham) Men’s Chorale, Elephant Sessions, Andy Ker- compiles the best in contemporary urban and shaw, Gaêlica, Goitse, Louvat Bros, Alistair underground culture in the bustling heart of Anderson & Northlands, Will Pound & Eddy Britain's second city. Expect dynamic, award- Jay, Piaf: The Songs, Crows, Tilston Lowe, winning performers, drum’n’bass, hip-hop, Birlinn Jiarg, Northern Company, Leif, grime, techno and all-night DJ sets. Easy to Granny’s Attic access thanks to its inner-city location, this 18-plus festival takes place across Birming- ham's Digbeth Triangle. Line-up includes: Chase & Status + Rage, Giggs, Gorgon City, Sub Focus, Chris Lorenzo, Goldie, My Nu Leng, Charlie Sloth, Stefflon Don, Levelz, DJ Target, Jaykae, Dapz on the Map, Camo & Krooked, High Contrast, Fric- tion, Shadow Child, Deetron, Cause & Affect, Patrick Nazemi

20 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 11:50 Page 4

Simmer Down Festival Handsworth Park, Birmingham, Sun 23 July Over the last six years, the free-to-attend Sim- mer Down has grown to become one of the most popular and diverse festivals in Birm- ingham. Featuring music, dance, spoken word, visual arts, commissioned work, outreach & young people’s programmes, workshops and partic- ipation activities, the family-friendly festival celebrates the city’s rich cultural diversity with a line-up of internationally acclaimed artists and homegrown talent. Rooted in North Birmingham, Simmer Down pays tribute to the centrality of reggae and other musical genres that have contributed to Birmingham’s growing reputation as an inter- national city of culture. Line-up includes: Freddie McGregor & Macka B, Black Voices, Ras Tweed, Ras King Bobo, Motown In Dub, Khaliq, Mikey Tuff, Robbie Levi, Iam Malakahi, Christina Adelsi

Lichfield Festival Three Choirs Festival Bromsgrove Folk Festival various locations, Lichfield, Fri 7 - Sat 15 July various locations in and around Worcester, Bowling Green Inn, Bromsgrove, Worcester- Sat 22 - Sat 29 July shire, Thurs 13 - Sun 16 July Each July, Lichfield plays host to one of the UK’s most eclectic multi-arts festivals. Bromsgrove Folk Festival offers patrons the Established in the early ’80s, the event has chance to enjoy intimate concerts by UK- more than 35 years’ experience in working based folk, roots and acoustic performers. with performers from across the world, as Taking place at the town's Bowling Green well as nurturing young talent from through- Inn, the festival spreads across two marquees out the UK. (one 350-seater and one 120-seater), with ses- The nine-day festival features music, film, sions and singarounds inside the pub. theatre, comedy, dance, family activities, vi- Line-up includes: The Melrose Quartet, sual arts, walks and talks. Quicksilver, Dan McKinnon, Gren Bartley Line-up includes: Armonico Consort, Seth Band, Patchwork Skies, Clive Brooks & Tom Lakeman and Wildwood Kin, The Halle Or- Perry, Anthony John Clarke, Three Daft Mon- chestra, Rich Hall’s Hoedown, Hal Crutten- keys den, Black Voices, Elysian Piano Trio, From The North Sea To Atlantic Shores, The This year celebrating its 302nd birthday, the Swingles Three Choirs is the oldest non-competitive classical music festival in the world. The event brings together established favourites of the British classical choral tradi- tion with works drawn from a broader, more international musical canvas. Choral and orchestral concerts feature promi- nently in a week-long programme that also includes cathedral services, solo and cham- ber music recitals, masterclasses, talks, the- atre, exhibitions and walks. Line-up includes: Roderick Williams, Lucy Russell, Hail Bright Cecilia, Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony, Paradise Remembered

whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Tom Robinson DPS.qxp_Layout 1 27/06/2017 10:39 Page 1

FEATURE

Faith, Folk & Anarchy Tom Robinson reunites with former bandmates at Shrewsbury Folk Festival Tom Robinson DPS.qxp_Layout 1 27/06/2017 10:39 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

It’s been 40 years since Tom Robinson shot to “Steve and I do bump into each other at folk Anyone can submit a track to Robinson for chart success with his first single, 2-4-6-8 Mo- events and occasionally get up and sing to- consideration both on his show and on the in- torway, an anniversary he’s set to celebrate gether, but I haven’t seen as much of Martyn dependent Fresh On The Net blog he runs with a new tour in October. because he works across the Atlantic so much. with a growing team of enthusiastic contribu- Since 1977, the singer, songwriter and bassist He’s gigging almost non-stop, except when tors. has gone on to enjoy a varied and prolific ca- he’s rescuing children in remote parts of the “It’s really nice having a separate outlet where reer working on both sides of the music indus- world. He’s an amazing man, Martyn - the ac- we can get behind stuff that the BBC wouldn’t try. Now a familiar voice on BBC Radio 6 as tivism and the charity work he does just puts necessarily play. We have 20 moderators, and well as the founder of the pioneering Fresh On the rest of us to shame.” about a dozen active in any given week, so The Net blog, he’s spent the last few years cul- As a keen folk fan himself, Tom’s also hoping anyone who sends us a track between Monday tivating a reputation for championing new to check out some of the other acts appearing and Thursday will be listened to by those 12. I music, though in 2015 he surprised fans by re- at Shrewsbury this year, though he confesses don’t think there’s anywhere else on the web leasing his first studio album in nearly 20 he hasn’t yet had time to properly investigate that guarantees submissions will be heard by years. the line-up. that many people of all different tastes. It pro- But it’s as part of a much more short-lived trio “Musically, most of the really interesting stuff vides a safety net, so there’s little chance of that he’s appearing at Shrewsbury Folk Festi- I hear coming through at 6 Music is roots and anything getting missed in the deluge, and val this summer - a surprise rekindling of the acoustic. There’s a whole generation of folk even if I don’t like something, someone else Faith, Folk And Anarchy project that saw him artists in their 20s and 30s who are really in- might go completely crazy for it.” collaborate with Martyn Joseph and Show Of novating in terms of the noise they’re making - Not content with only operating a ground- Hands’ Steve Knightley in the early noughties. people like Sam Lee or Eliza Carthy. Even an breaking music blog, Robinson has fully em- Initially unsure about a reunion, the group apparently traditional duo like Will Pound braced online media and its many tools, were eventually won over to the idea by the or- and Eddy Jay - they play harmonica and accor- crowdfunding his last album, Only The Now, ganisers’ enthusiasm. dion, and you think, what could be more of a via PledgeMusic, as well as finding its graphic “It was Shrewsbury’s idea,” says Robinson. finger-in-the-ear, folky cliché than that? But designer by networking on social media. “There was somebody in the management of technically and stylistically, they’re really “It’s the future for all of us now - I don’t think the festival who thought, ‘I remember that - it pushing the boundaries of those instruments, music is different from anything else. We all was great!’” and it’s absolutely breathtaking. have to find our way in a world where it’s get- Faith, Folk And Anarchy was the title given to “I think there’s a misperception and a great ig- ting harder and harder to get paid for your the only album the trio ever recorded, in 2001. norance out in the wider world about what work, but at the same time, your potential for The accompanying 2002 tour was then fol- folk is and what it can be, partly because the finding a worldwide audience is expanding lowed by a brief reunion two years later. BBC doesn’t cover it enough. It only gives us exponentially.” one hour a week of folk music on Radio Two, “It was a very special project because it was Promoting other people’s work might take up which is nothing when you consider that there three lead singers, and I hadn’t really been in most of his time these days, but as his family are more folk festivals in this country than any that kind of situation since the early ’70s. has grown up and moved out, he’s found him- other kind of music festival. I think there are Steve and Martyn are also both fantastic song- self with more time to pursue new endeav- just under 400 every year in England alone, writers, and so we had the output of three ours, leading to the release of his 2015 album. and then another hundred or so in Scotland, songwriters’ brains instead of just one. There’s For now, however, he’s focusing on a com- Wales and Ireland, so there’s a phenomenal a big difference between that and singing pletely different project. demand and appetite for this music out there, backing vocals or playing bass on someone “Recently I’ve been trying to write a memoir, which the BBC should be paying more atten- else’s songs. But almost immediately after that but I’m not getting very far with it at the mo- tion to.” first tour, I got the job at 6 Music. Steve and ment. I’ve had quite a strange, very blessed Martyn both had busy schedules too, so it was Fortunately, as a BBC Radio DJ himself, Robin- life over the years, from my first nervous hard to find time to put together any more son has gone some way towards plugging this breakdown at the age of 16 to living in East dates. This is just a one-off, but in a way I gap on his own show, although with around Germany in my 30s, plus all the bizarre and think that’s quite nice because it makes it all 200 tracks a week to listen to from across all interesting people I’ve met. So there is a story the more special.” different genres, folk can only account for a there that I’d like to get written down before I fraction of the music that he plays. Thirteen years after the band’s last outing, shuffle off this mortal coil. But it’s hard be- Robinson is looking forward not only to work- “I feel a bit like a poacher turned gamekeeper, cause as you get into your 60s, it’s a race ing with his former bandmates again, but also having spent a good 30 years on the outside, against declining memory!” to enjoying a good catch-up. knocking on doors and trying to get my own music onto Radio One. But to now be on the “I’ve never been as relaxed and at home on other side and to be the person making the stage as I was on that first tour with Faith, Tom Robinson performs with Faith, Folk & calls about what gets included and what does- Folk And Anarchy because the whole thing Anarchy at Shrewsbury Folk Festival on n’t, I’ve learned so much about the mechanics was founded on our friendship. When you’re Monday 28 August. of it, what’s needed and why some things just on stage with your mates, none of you is For the full festival line-up, visit work or don’t.” trying to prove anything. shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk Comedy July 2017.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 12:02 Page 1

Mark Thomas Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 17 July Mark Thomas is no ordinary comedian. Hugely witty and as savage as a rabid dog when it comes to putting hecklers in their place, he takes to the stage with the inten- tion not only of making people laugh but also of exposing governmental and corpo- rate exploitation in its many and varied forms. Mark’s latest show, a speculation on what the future might look like in the aftermath of recent political earthquakes, sees him collecting and examining his audience’s predictions, and then gambling on their outcome.

Zoe Lyons Lichfield Garrick, Mon 10 July Zoe Lyons creates funny routines based on astute observation of life’s absurdities. Her latest show, titled Little Misfit, looks back on her experiences as ‘the awkward gay kid at school’. A severe bout of alope- Justin Moorhouse cia didn’t help her situation any, particu- The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 8 July larly when she then adopted a Audience members catching Justin Moorhouse for the first time will find themselves in the less-than-attractive comb-over to conceal company of a seasoned pro who knows exactly how to work a crowd. her hairloss. Although his accent and style of delivery call to mind Peter Kay, Moorhouse is very much She also harboured secret desires for his own man, presenting an evening of well-honed, hugely enjoyable, adult-themed enter- Charlie’s Angels - “The blonde one tainment... Jokes include: “The women you see on Jeremy Kyle are so big they have to get mostly,” she admits, “but with a comb- their leggings on prescription.” over, who can afford to be fussy?” Described by one reviewer as ‘Alan Ben- nett on speed’, Zoe’s jokes include: “The Shrewsbury International Comedy Festival old blind fisherman liked nothing more than coming home and putting on a pair Various venues around Shrewsbury, Fri 21 - Sun 23 July of his favourite kippers.” Already a hotbed of food, flowers and folk music, Shrewsbury is this month tossing its hat into the comedy ring too. Four of the town’s venues are co- hosting this inaugural festival of laughter, which offers top-drawer comedians the chance to preview their new material in readiness for the Edinburgh Festival. The event comprises 15 hour-long performances and features comic turns from, among others, Joe Lycett, Terry Alderton, Spencer Jones, Barbara Nice and Irish hip-hop improv duo Abandoman. The festival culminates with a Gala at the town’s Theatre Severn, hosted by the hugely popular Greg Davis. Commenting on the new event, its co-producer and one-time standup comic, Kevin Bland, said: “Shrewsbury has a great tradition of hosting festivals, including everything from street theatre to folk music, food to comics and beer to flowers. We reckoned it was high time we brought some comedy to the town as well.”

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy July 2017.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 12:02 Page 2

Comedy

Jarred Christmas The Glee Club, Birmingham, Fri 21 - Sat 22 July Kiwi comedian Jarred Christmas is delighted with the warm reception he receives from UK audiences. “I think it’s the charming and ‘sixy’ New Zealand accent that does it,” he jokes. “I think Brits are also great at laughing at themselves, so don’t mind Johnny For- eigner making jokes about British stuff. In fact, they seem to love it.” A 2010 Chortle Award-winning compere, Jarred has some hard-hitting views about the business of being an MC. “A lot of comperes Eleanor Tiernan Fin Taylor just don’t get it,” he observes. “They seem to forget that along with keeping the show mov- ing and warming up the audience they still have to be funny. If they’re not funny, then they should get the **** off the stage.”

Luisa Omielan Geoff Norcott

no doubt be measuring the audience Edinbrum reaction to their every gag, as they mac, Birmingham, various dates frantically try to hone their material in Yep, it’s that time of year again, when all preparation for their forthcoming trip to good comedians stop off in Birmingham to Bonnie Scotland. try out their new material en route to the macBirmingham’s July Edinbrum shows are Edinburgh Festival. as follows: Brennan Reece & Eleanor The venue’s Thursday night line-up of Tiernan (6 July); Fin Taylor & Jayde Adams Adam Hess & Mat Ewins mirthful merrymakers should certainly (the 13th); Luisa Omielan & Phil Nichol (the ensure a chuckle or several is never too far 20th); and Geoff Norcott & Carl Donnelly Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, away. And the comedians in question will (the 27th). Wed 12 July This work-in-progress preview show offers Birmingham audiences the chance to catch up with the comedy output of two fast-rising Barry Castagnola funnymen... Adam Hess has built his reputa- Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birmingham, tion on his penchant for quickfire gags - “In Sat 29 July France, J-Lo is known as ‘I have water’”. The sharp and topical Barry Castagnola has Mat Ewins, meanwhile, has developed his act been tickling funny bones for more than a around an inventive use of technology and a decade now. Back in the early days of the 21st host of comic characters. century, he was also one-third of spoof, anti- capitalist, eco-warrior, dance-music act Cy- derdelic (with Marc Wootton and Liam Woodman). Presenting a set that includes satire, farce, character comedy and the use of multi-media, Barry boasts a style that manages to be both easy-going and impressively physical.

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Miss Saigon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:29 Page 1

FEATURE

TheMiss Saigon comes Heat to the Birmingham is Hippodrome On... ”

Things like the helicopter are just thrilling for any audience, regardless of whether you’re into musical theatre or not. ”

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Miss Saigon DPS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:29 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Associate Director Jean Van Der Spuy discusses the continued power and relevance of Boublil’s and Schönberg’s smash-hit musical.

On 30 April 1975, American soldiers fled the in terms of the storytelling. It’s partly the proximity of these events to our Vietnamese capital of Saigon, leaving the city “The cast we’ve assembled is incredibly excit- own lives and our general familiarity with the to be reclaimed by opposing native forces. ing. It’s quite young and edgy with a lot of en- broad brushstrokes of the story that help to This dramatic day marked the culmination of ergy. There’s maybe 30% of them who’ve done make this show so readily accessible. Admit- a long and brutal conflict, passionately fought the show before, but on the first day of re- ting it’s a slightly controversial claim, Van Der on both sides to defend not simply territory, hearsals, I said that they needed to empty Spuy makes a strong case for Miss Saigon but fundamentally opposing ideologies. But their minds of what the show had been before, being an even more accessible work than its while thousands of Vietnamese celebrated the so that everyone could start again together on more famous cousin, Les Misérables. end of US occupation and the reunification of page one.” “It’s very relatable, and much closer in terms their country under communist leadership, Back in the ’90s, early productions attracted of our history. So many people think Les Mis is city dwellers who had lived among the West- criticism for their unenlightened casting about the French Revolution, and it’s not at all erners were devastated by their abandon- choices, sparking protests against what’s now - it’s actually about the later student upris- ment, left behind to face the harsh colloquially known as ‘whitewashing’. Today, ings, so in a way it provokes a lot of questions. consequences of having been on the wrong however, properly reflecting the diversity of But with this, people know what the context is side of the war. the characters themselves is top of the - they get who the characters are and why It’s against this fraught and politically com- agenda, resulting in a vibrant multicultural- they’re there without it needing to be ex- plex backdrop that Les Miserables creators ism amongst the company which Van Der plained. Alain Boublil and Claude Schönberg set their Spuy highlights as one of the joys of working “I also think that even though it’s a period second most famous musical, Miss Saigon. In- on the show. piece it has a lot to say about where we are in spired by the plot of Puccini’s classic opera, “Miss Saigon is kind of unique for a director our world today. Sometimes looking at some- Madame Butterfly, it tells the tale of a doomed because you get to work with a whole range of thing through a slightly different prism is romance between American GI Chris and Viet- different people from all over the world. That good for people, and that’s why we need to be namese barmaid Kim, divided by the enforced coming together of people from completely telling these stories now. I think Saigon has a evacuation. different cultural backgrounds is very excit- real pertinence - and for me, that relevance is Following critically acclaimed runs in Lon- ing. And challenging, too - you’re having to one of the reasons I love working on it and don, New York and Tokyo, the show now em- deal with a lot of difficult topics. But it’s why I’ve continued to work on it.” barks on its first UK tour in more than a thrilling when people start to really take own- Yet as serious and often tragic as both the real decade, with a spectacular new production ership and invest in stories like this.” and fictional elements of this story are, there’s heading for the Birmingham Hippodrome this Creating something that resonates truthfully also plenty in it offering straightforward enter- month. and sensitively with the very real horrors of tainment and enjoyment, from the sharp “It’s geared to an age where we’re seeing a lot the Vietnam War and its aftermath was also sense of humour and wide-ranging musical of cinema and glossy HBO-type shows, so it’s massively important to the team behind the styles, to the breathtaking design which has very cinematic and epic in scale,” explains As- show, and both the cast and the creatives have been lauded by critics and theatre-goers alike. sociate Director Jean-Pierre Van Der Spuy. taken time to fully immerse themselves in the “If you look at something like Les Mis, from “The previous production was very operatic, world that the production seeks to represent. the first note to the last note it has a score that whereas this really celebrates the intimacy of “I’m a bit of a history geek, so I love tethering feels like it’s in a single style, whereas in the story. It’s quite brutal and gritty in places, everything we do in it to truth, to the root of Saigon, there’s a lot more variety within the and it feels very real.” where these stories come from. We don’t start writing. You’ve got musical theatre comedy in Though it’s been a while since regional the- with the script: we go back further than that the shape of things like Bangkok and Ameri- atres have hosted an official touring produc- first, and if you go into our rehearsal room can Dream, and you’ve also got those big, im- tion, those who’ve seen the show during its you’ll see the research material stuck all over passioned duets like Last Night Of The World recent London run will have a good idea of the walls. and Sun And Moon, which are typical of what to expect, with much of the staging and Schönberg and Boublil. So whoever comes, “Everyone has a job to find their own charac- design adopted from 2014’s Prince Edward there’s something in it that will appeal to ters, so every single GI and Vietnamese civil- Theatre version. But with a new cast comes a them. It’s also really exciting. Things like the ian writes a character breakdown. We’re fresh interpretation of the characters and the helicopter are just thrilling for any audience, actually really lucky with Saigon because it’s relationships between them. regardless of whether you’re into musical the- so easy to access resources. We watch loads of atre or not.” “I think what’s brilliant about something as documentaries. We have Tuesday film nights. well-written and well-constructed as Saigon is I’ve even got a load of Life magazines which that there’s always scope to find nuance and are from the period, and what’s interesting is detail and colour that’s never been seen be- not only the articles, but also things like the Miss Saigon shows at Birmingham fore,” says Van Der Spuy. “There are lots of adverts for the cigarettes they would have Hippodrome from Wednesday 26 July to things about this and the Prince Edward pro- smoked or the washing machines they might Saturday 23 September duction that are very similar, but I think peo- have had. It’s those tiny details that help peo- ple will find there’s a slightly different focus ple to really understand the world.” whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:49 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Funny Girl Campbell lending support as her ne’er-do-well husband. “Fanny's a funny old character to play because she was a real per- Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 24 - Sat 29 July son,” says Natasha. “You don't want to do an impression, but there Debuting on Broadway in 1963, featuring hit numbers People and are certain things that you have to honour in the performance - like Don’t Rain On My Parade, and making a star of Barbra Streisand, she was known for really big facial expressions and for being larger Funny Girl tells the story of real-life Broadway legend and comedian than life. She's a very strong woman, a real fireball and quite ahead of Fanny Brice. her time. She's also very funny and really wears her heart on her This critically acclaimed new version of the hit musical stars Natasha sleeve. She doesn't hide anything, so it's all about trying to be as open J Barnes in the title role, with Popstar To Operastar winner Darius and as full of light as you can be.”

Oddsocks: Macbeth The Tempest Sense And Sensibility Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, Sun 9 July; Stafford Castle, until Sat 8 July Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, Sat 1 & Sun 2 mac, Birmingham, Sun 16 July; Mary Arden’s July; Blakesley Hall, Yardley, Sat 8 & Sun 9 Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 28 July Shakespeare’s last July; Selly Manor, Bournville, Wed 12 & Thurs and most complete 13 July & Harvington Hall, Kidderminster, Sat Having been spurred into action by the play, The Tempest 15 & Sun 16 July prophesies of three supernatural beings, brings together The Crescent’s own theatre company is the Macbeth’s desire to become king of Scotland many of the ensemble performing this Jessica Swale sees him committing all manner of atrocities themes that in- adaptation of Jane Austen's popular novel. - including the murder of women and chil- formed his great- Regency-era sisters Elinor and Marianne dren... est dramas. Dashwood are the story’s main protagonists, Not that the finer points of Shakespeare’s When a wild storm busily making their first forays into the deca- blood-spattered tragedy are likely to be forces a royal ship dent world of 18th century high society, overly important in this particular produc- onto the rocks of where the giddy excitement of love and the tion, given that it’s zany funsters Oddsocks an enchanted isle, terrible pain of heartbreak await them... who’re at the helm! Expect plenty of madcap the castaways, mayhem and laughter from this always- separated from value-for-money ensemble. one another, find themselves slipping under the control of the mysterious Prospero. Matters are further confused by the presence of supernatural spirit Ariel and the grotesque man-beast, Caliban... This outdoor production is set in the 1930s, a golden age for luxury cruise liners and Holly- wood glamour that also welcomed in the dying days of vaudeville...

26 whatsonlive.co.uk B.Hipp. July RIGHT HAND FP 2017.qxp_Layout 1 23/06/2017 16:10 Page 1

£10 Relaxed Jungle Book

Performance Thu 20 Jul

PerformanceRelaxed Mon 3 - Navadal Sat 15 Jul Tue 18 - Mon 3 Jul Sat 8 Jul The National South Asian Youth £5 Street-dance and circus bring the Sat 22 Jul £8 From £20 Dance Competition classic tale bang up to date £18

Wed 19 - Wed 26 Jul - Wed 9 - Sat 22 Jul Sat 23 Sep A magical show for children with puppets, Sat 12 Aug From £19.50 From £30 music and stunning visual effects £10

Part of

Tue 15 & Seeta Patel: Something Then, Sun 24 Sep Wed 27 - Wed 16 Aug Something Now £12 Fri 29 Sep £12 Critically acclaimed Indian classical dance Hip-hop meets The Wizard of Oz £12

Everyone’s Welcome 0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. Where applicable, a 5% transaction charge may apply excluding cash sales in person. Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:49 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 4 - Sat 8 July This National Theatre stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel bagged an impressive seven Olivier Awards in 2013 and has met with almost universal acclaim. At its centre is the character of 15-year-old Christopher, a boy who describes himself as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties". Initially coming under suspicion after dis- covering the lifeless body of his neighbour’s dog, Christopher decides to investigate the crime - and in so doing embarks on a journey that will change his world forever...

About A Goth As You Like It The Third Policeman The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Mary Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri mac, Birmingham, Sat 8 July Thurs 27 July 14 - Sat 15 July; St. Andrew’s Church, Droitwich Spa, Thurs 20 July; Artrix, Broms- Birmingham-based Gritty Theatre are the grove, Fri 28 July; Arley Arboretum & Gardens, company behind this lively show. A ‘rude and near Bewdley, Sun 30 July raucous’ comedy, it follows the trials and Bromsgrove’s tribulations of a gay Goth teenager struggling very own Mad- to meet the challenges of living in the 21st Cap Theatre Pro- century. The show has an anticipated but ductions are the subject-to-change running time of 45 minutes ensemble behind and includes partial nudity. this new version of Shakespeare’s Flann O’Brien’s 1967 comic masterpiece fea- The Life And Death Of highly likable tures a plot too strange to explain here; suf- comedy. The sto- fice to say the novel’s world is a curious one Marilyn Monroe ryline revolves in which all manner of strange things occur. The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, around the char- Published the year after O’Brien’s death, The Fri 14 - Sun 16 July acter of Ros- Third Policeman secured for the author com- Marilyn Monroe was widely considered to be alind, banished parisons with some of the greats of Irish liter- the sexiest female movie star of the 20th cen- by her usurping uncle to the Forest Of Arden, ature, including James Joyce and Samuel tury - except maybe by Tony Curtis, who once where her exiled father is already living. Beckett. Indeed, Joyce himself hailed the au- said that making love to her was like ‘kissing Revelling in the naturalness of their sur- thor ‘a real writer with the true comic spirit’... Hitler’. roundings, Rosalind and her companions - Cornwall’s long-established Miracle Theatre The woman who began life as Norma Jeane cousin Celia and Touchstone the fool - find a is the company presenting this stage version Mortenson courted controversy throughout happiness they hadn’t known existed... of O’Brien’s novel. They describe the work as her Hollywood career, her troubled life end- existing ‘in a world somewhere between ing at the tragically young age of 36. Alice in Wonderland and the Marx Brothers, Breatkthrough Theatre’s new production Bonnie And Clyde where the earth is not round but sausage- aims to take a Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, shaped and night is actually an accumula- peek behind the Thurs 20 - Sat 29 July tion of black air’. glitz and glamour The Old Joint Stock Musical Theatre Com- of the Marilyn pany makes a welcome return after enjoying phenomenon, pre- previous successes with productions of Rent, senting the Some Avenue Q, Dogfight, American Idiot and Like It Hot star as Urinetown. she sits alone in This latest musical tells the Great Depression- her dressing room era story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, ‘stripped back and two small-town nobodies destined to become bare - just an ordi- one of America’s most notorious couples. nary girl telling Blues, gospel, country, rockabilly and blue- her story’. grass music all feature.

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:49 Page 4 Museum of the Moon DPS-2.qxp_Layout 1 27/06/2017 10:41 Page 1

FEATURE MAKING

Art and science collide in Thinktank’s out-of-this-worldSPACE summer exhibits Museum of the Moon DPS-2.qxp_Layout 1 27/06/2017 10:41 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

Prepare to have your mind blown at Thinktank this summer...

Thinktank hopes to see its gravitational pull Avon Cut in Bristol, Jerram began to explore Having already opened to the public in late skyrocket this summer with both the sun and the earth’s relationship with the moon from May, Katie Paterson’s Totality offers a more moon at the centre of a programme that is an array of scientific and cultural abstracted, imaginative response to celestial truly out of this world. perspectives. This led to the creation of activity, playing with the idea of perception Museum Of The Moon and a sister piece and drawing on records of solar eclipses Alongside an array of artworks and artefacts called Tide, both typical of his through the ages. A total of 10,000 from the Birmingham Museums Collection, multidisciplinary approach. contemporary and historical images of the the science-themed attraction is playing host same phenomenon are fixed to the glittering to two captivating contemporary Measuring an imposing seven metres in tiles of an illuminated, rotating mirror ball, installations: Luke Jerram’s Museum Of The diameter, Museum Of The Moon is an light bouncing back from the solar haloes Moon and Katie Paterson’s solar eclipse- immersive experience, combining striking around the moon in each individual picture. inspired Totality. lunar imagery with lighting effects and Complementing Totality is Looking Up, Opening on Friday 21 July, just as the school surround-sound music by BAFTA and Ivor Looking Down: The Earth, Moon, Sun And holidays begin, Museum Of The Moon comes Novello Award-winning composer Dan Jones. Beyond!. The display brings together a to Thinktank fresh from appearances in Commenting on the installation, Lisa fascinating selection of objects from London, Cork and Rennes. Stallard, Museum Manager at Thinktank, Birmingham’s collection that looks at the Using breathtakingly detailed 120dpi, 5.5GB said, “Museum Of The Moon fits perfectly ways in which artists and scientists have NASA images taken by the Lunar with the dynamic surroundings of our explored the skies. Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, Jerram has Science Museum. It really does have to be created a spectacular three-dimensional seen to be believed and is a beautiful replica model of the moon at a scale of spectacle that I know our visitors will enjoy. Totality and Looking Up, Looking Down: 1:500,000. We have a jam-packed programme of events The Earth, Moon, Sun And Beyond! are this summer, so families will have an extra- showing until Sunday 1 October. Museum Inspired by the tidal variations he observed special visit with us during the holidays as Of The Moon is at Thinktank from Friday looking out at the sea while cycling over the there will be even more to see and do.” 21 July until Sunday 20 August.

Other features to check out over the holidays communicating like a gorilla, explore how ALSO AT THINKTANK... include the expanded wildlife gallery, with insects see plants differently, attempt to Prepare to have your mind blown with its brand new Nature Detectives section and catch a moth using echolocation and build fascinating facts and demonstrations in the a whole host of amazing animals to discover. their own foodchains, or pick up a Wildlife action-packed science show Fly Me To The Geared up for kids of all ages to enjoy, the Explorers trail card to hunt for animals in Moon, or take a look through the Science recent additions include opportunities to the museum. From polar bears to peacocks Garden’s solar telescope to see the Sun in a learn more about the wildlife inhabiting and pangolin to ptarmigan, there’s plenty to whole new light. urban environments, the uses of natural see, including the skeleton of an enormous, Fancy something even more hands-on? Why history museums and their collections, and extinct giant deer and a taxidermied fox that not draw your own eclipse image to be how various exhibits are preserved, as well you can stroke! projected onto the museum walls, create as the impact of human activity on other Best of all, if you can make it during term- space art to take away, or take part in the species. time, entry is reduced to just £3 after 3pm on Eclipse Challenge by using perspective to Dinosaur fans will be amazed by the massive weekdays. make objects disappear. Under-eights can triceratops skull and icthyosaur skeleton, also join the space crew engineering team to while those who like to get stuck in can try have a go at building moon buggies. Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:49 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Wonderland Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 10 - Sat 15 July; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 31 July - Sat 5 August It was during the lifetime of the book’s author, Lewis Carroll, that the wacky world of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland first made its way onto the stage; in 1886, to be precise. A mere 17 years later, the topsy-turvy story and its cast of colourful characters were being interpreted through the exciting new medium of film. One of the latest companies to join the long and noble tradition of reinventing Alice visits the Midlands this month. It’s being led by Broadway composer Frank Wildhorn, whose work on shows like Jekyll & Hyde, Victor/Victo- ria and Bonnie & Clyde has earned him inter- national acclaim. Wendi Peters, Dave Willetts and Kerry Ellis star.

The Mikado rest of the playwright’s high-profile works. Jane Austen’s Nonetheless, its popularity is ensured by its Malvern Theatre, 4 - 8 July; Theatre Severn, timeless themes and its regular appearance Persuasion Shrewsbury, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 July as a study text on the National Curriculum. Stratford Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon, Mon 24 July Local klutz Koko has risen to the post of Lord This latest version of the play is helmed by High Executioner, the highest rank a citizen The Watermill Theatre’s new Artistic Director, Bringing to life Jane Austen’s last and most can attain. He’s lusting after the delicious Paul Hart, and features live music and an personal novel, Chamber Opera Tours’ criti- Yum-Yum, but she’s firmly set her cap at the ‘outstanding’ new ensemble of actors. cally acclaimed production comes complete freewheeling Nanki-Poo. And just to make with beautiful Regency costumes, projected matters worse for Koko, the Emperor of Japan scenery, a chamber orchestra and world- is about to arrive, intent on finding out why champion Irish dancers. The show’s been there have been no executions in the town for touring the UK and US for the last four years, over a year... and returns to Stratford in commemoration Set in the fictitious Japanese location of of the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death. Titipu and poking wicked fun at revered in- stitutions and the world of politics, The Mikado is one of Gilbert & Sullivan's best- The Play That Goes loved works, boasting a bountiful score, Wrong witty lyrics and more than its fair share of Malvern Theatre, Mon 17 - Sat 22 July toe-tapping classics. Mischief Theatre Company’s much-loved Strictly Murder show arrives in the region on the back of a Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, fantastic reputation and a couple of success- Fri 14 - Sat 15 July ful West End runs. For those not in the know, Brian Clemens, the man behind hit TV series the play focuses on the Cornley Polytechnic The Avengers and The Professionals, is the Drama Society’s attempt to put on a 1920s-set fella who penned this fast-moving thriller. murder-mystery. It’s April 1939 and English couple Peter and The only trouble Suzy are living in idyllic isolation in is, the bumbling Provence, far away, it seems, from the rum- thesps are more blings of the coming war. than a little acci- Their peace is shattered from within, how- dent-prone - so Romeo & Juliet ever, when Suzy discovers that she's been be- much so, in fact, trayed by the man she loves. And what's Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Wed 12 July that they’re not more, she may well be in mortal danger... even sure they’ll Widely regarded as Shakespeare’s fifth One-time Corrie killer Brian Capron stars manage to reach tragedy, this story of a forbidden and secret alongside Corrinne Wicks and Gary Turner in the curtain call... love tends to fair less well critically than the a production directed by Clemens’ son. 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:49 Page 6

Theatre previews for younger audiences from around the region

Room On The Broom Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, Mon 17 - Wed 19 July; Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, 24 - 26 July Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the cre- ators of The Gruffalo and We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, are the team behind this spell- binding tale. A witch makes the mistake of thinking she can fit a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog - as well as her own cat - on her broomstick without it snapping in two. And when a hungry dragon appears, things really start to hot up... Presented by Tall Stories, this Olivier Award- nominated show features ‘songs, laughs and scary fun’ for children aged three and older.

Peter Pan Jnr Curious Creatures ration from the themes of archaeology, his- tory and discovery, How Time Flies provides The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sat 22 July mac, Birmingham, Thurs 27 July children with the chance to help an eccentric Fly away to Neverland with the boy who Performing fleas, skateboarding snails, gym- team of archaeologists uncover the hidden wouldn't grow up, meet a real fairy, marvel- nastic gerbils and all manner of other ‘curi- truth behind an ancient skeleton. The show lous mermaids, wonderful Wendy and the ous creatures’ abound in this lively show that combines original songs, puppetry and story- down-on-their-luck lost boys. Oh, and be- aims to uncover the mysteries of the animal telling, and is suitable for youngsters aged ware the ever-so-wicked Captain Hook and a kingdom. It’s presented by Squashbox The- between three and 11. very hungry crocodile who goes tick-tock (he atre, which in reality is Penzance-based solo swallowed a clock!)... XcelShowbiz’s brand performer Craig Johnson. “Animals are amaz- new, all-singing, all-dancing version of JM ing” explains Craig. “There are big ones, little Mister Maker And Barrie’s legendary story is here presented by ones, scaly ones, furry ones, friendly ones The Shapes Live some of the Midlands' best young talent, with and scary ones! There are over eight million Palace Theatre, Redditch, Sat 8 July different species of animal on earth today, performers ranging in age from six to 18. CBeebies presenter Phil Gallagher is out on and in this show we're going to meet all of tour with the character that made his name. them! Well, okay, maybe not all of them but Phil’s Mister Maker combines slapstick com- certainly quite a few!” Billionaire Boy edy with all manner of art projects in the The production is suitable for children aged Brueton Park, Solihull, Tues 25 - Wed 26 July BAFTA-nominated children’s television se- three and older. Although Heartbreak Productions are best ries. known for their outdoor presentations of He’s joined for this latest live show by ‘a fab- Shakespeare plays, the company also tours a ulous supporting cast’ who encourage the selection of other stage works, one of which grown-ups as well as the kids to sing, dance is this adaptation of David Walliams’ best- and make some noise. A great way to inspire selling children’s book. your youngsters to ‘get crafty’. Heartbreak have impressive form when it comes to Walliams’ work, having previously The Showstoppers’ presented critically acclaimed, under-the- stars versions of Ratburger and Mr Stink. Kids Show For those unfamiliar with the book, it tells Lichfield Garrick, Sat 15 July the tale of how Mr Spud made and lost his This improvised musical show for children of billions, and how his son, Joe, became the all ages is presented by West End performers richest boy in the world... Suitable for chil- The Showstoppers. dren aged seven and older. “We take kids’ ideas and turn them into mar- How Time Flies vellous, musical adventures from scratch,” explain the Olivier Award-winning ensemble, mac, Birmingham, Thurs 20 July “right away and in front of your very noses. The company presenting this quirky new Together, we’ll explore magical kingdoms, as show is the well-regarded HandMade The- you decide where the story is set, what hap- atre, an ensemble that specialises in interac- pens next and who the characters are. You tive productions designed to engage can even join us on stage if you want!” audiences in unusual ways. Taking its inspi- whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Film July Two Pages.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 12:01 Page 1

Film

Dunkirk CERT 12a CRITIC’S CHOICE Starring Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy, Kenneth Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance and Tom Hardy Directed by Christopher Nolan (UK/USA/France/The Netherlands) Any Christopher Nolan movie is an event, but this looks really, really special. Forget that the director is allegedly pocketing $20million for his services, most of the budget should be up on the screen. Apparently, Nolan spent $5million on a vintage German Luftwaffe plane which will be seen crash- ing in the movie, preventing its re-sale on eBay. This, of course, is the story of Operation Dynamo, when 300,000 British, French, Belgian and Cana- dian troops were surrounded by the German army on the eponymous French beach in 1940, necessi- tating a massive evacuation. We can’t wait. In IMAX. Released Fri 21 July

Film highlights released in July...

The Last Word CERT 15 (108 mins) Starring Shirley MacLaine, Amanda Seyfried, Anne Heche, Tom Everett Scott Directed by Mark Pellington (USA) Harriett Lauler (Shirley MacLaine) has always been a control freak. She has even fabricated her own obituary for the local newspaper. So it’s up to cub re- porter Anne Sherman (Amanda Seyfried) to shake up the facts… Released Fri 7 July Spider-Man: Homecoming CERT 12a The Beguiled CERT 15 (94 mins) Starring Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Starring Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Favreau, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Tyne Daly, Dunst, Elle Fanning, Angourie Rice, Oona Lau- Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr rence Directed by Sofia Coppola (USA) Directed by Jon Watts (USA) While the American Civil War is raging, the Remember when all the Hollywood villains residents of an all-girls' school in Virginia were played by Brits? Well, the London-born have been protected from the outside world. Tom Holland now joins the British rollcall of Then a wounded Union soldier (Colin Farrell) Christian Bale, Henry Cavill, James McAvoy stumbles upon their mercy and unleashes a and Benedict Cumberbatch to play yet an- Pandora’s Box. Winner of the best director other Hollywood superhero in this second re- award for Sofia Coppola at Cannes, this is ac- boot of the Spider-Man film franchise. tually a remake of a 1971 Clint Eastwood film. Here, following the events of Captain Amer- This version, though - adapted from the ica: Civil War, Peter Parker struggles to bal- Thomas P Cullinan novel A Painted Devil - ance his schoolwork with his new prowess as takes a decidedly more female perspective of a web designer. In 3D. the same events. Released Wed 5 July Released Fri 14 July

32 whatsonlive.co.uk Film July Two Pages.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 12:01 Page 2

Film highlights released in July...

War For The Planet aggressive tactics of the ruthless human Colonel McCullough (Woody Harrelson), he Of The Apes CERT tbc falls back on his own darkest instincts. It’s Starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, a battle for the planet - and for a species. Steve Zahn, Amiah Miller, Karin Konoval Matt Reeves’ Dawn Of The Planet Of The Directed by Matt Reeves (USA) Apes was a worthy sequel to Rise Of The In the third chapter of the Planet Of The Planet Of The Apes and Reeves returns for Apes reboot, the tentative truce that was re- the new instalment, which heralds the alised in the last film, Dawn Of The Planet ninth Planet Of The Apes film. In 3D. Of The Apes, is now a thing of the past. As Released Tues 11 July Caesar, leader of the Apes, encounters the

Scribe CERT tbc Starring François Cluzet, Denis Podalydès, Sami Bouajila, Simon Abkarian, Alba Rohrwacher Directed by Thomas Kruithof (France/Belgium) What Duval (François Cluzet) is required to transcribe are telephone conversations tapped by the secret service. For him it’s just a job, but the political repercussions prove treacherous... Fans of French cinema will recognise François Cluzet from such high- end titles as Tell No One, Little White Lies and Untouchable. CRITIC’S CHOICE Released Fri 21 July

Monster Island CERT tbc Captain Underpants: With the voices of Fiona Hardingham, Roger Jackson, Jenifer Beth Kaplan, Eric Larsen, The First Epic Movie Kaitie Leigh CERT U (89 mins) Directed by Leopoldo Aguilar (Mexico) With the voices of Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, A seemingly normal kid must find his inner Thomas Middleditch, Nick Kroll, Jordan Peele monster in order to survive the terrifying or- Directed by David Soren (USA) deals of the eponymous isle - and to save his Children, you should be very, very careful of monstrous new family. From those people your hypnotic powers. Here, high schooler who brought us Top Cat Begins (2015). George Beard (Kevin Hart) uses the 3D Hypno Released Fri 21 July Ring he finds in his cereal box to convince his principal that he’s a dim-witted superhero called Captain Underpants. Quite what David Lean would think of the chutzpah of the title is another matter entirely. From DreamWorks Animation. In 3D. Girls Trip CERT 15 Released Fri 28 July Starring Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Queen Latifah, Larenz Tate Directed by Malcolm D Lee (USA) You know what girls are like. This friendly foursome heads for the Essence Music Festi- val in New Orleans and all sorts of mischief is unleashed. Expect a lot of dancin’ and drinkin’. Released Wed 26 July

whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Appetite DPS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:30 Page 1

FEATURE

The Big Feast Appetite’s annual arts extravaganza promises two days of fun, frivolity and feistiness across Stoke city centre

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Appetite DPS.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:30 Page 2

by Lauren Cox

Annual arts extravaganza The Big Feast is re- Big Feast is able to offer such a big menu of ments. We fine-tune our content, to make it turning to the streets of Stoke-on-Trent city high-calibre acts on people’s doorsteps.” relevant, appealing and interesting, by look- centre for its fourth year over the August The free two-day festival will showcase a va- ing at feedback about performers at arts festi- Bank Holiday weekend. riety of events from more than 20 performing vals across the UK from our research team, The event is being produced by Appetite, an companies, including Flatpack Film Festival Supper Club. Arts Council-funded Creative People & Places and The Royal Opera House. "By having such a cross-section of Supper programme, led by the New Vic Theatre, Traditional comedy and dance street perfor- Club members, we get a much broader range which has the aim of getting more people in mances, unusual interactive art installations of opinion and appeal. We take their feed- Stoke-on-Trent engaged in and inspired by and storytelling workshops all feature on the back onboard and adapt our programme to the arts. bill. make it appeal to all communities in the area.” Gary Cicinskas, the programme manager for Sponsored by Realis Estates, The Big Feast Appetite, said: “We aim to put high-quality will hold events across the weekend in non- Gary, who performed at Edinburgh Fringe in arts and culture in front of people in Stoke- traditional arts venues such as yet-to-be-used his youth, says it was through alternative arts on-Trent who wouldn't normally get to see it. units and giant inflatable whales. routes that he first became interested in the industry. He believes that it’s vital that peo- “Money is a consistent barrier for people Speaking about this year’s highlights, Gary ple who aren’t engaged in the arts still get a when it comes to accessing the arts, which is says: “I know Urban Astronaut by Highly chance to be a part of it. why we work with a huge range of organisa- Strung Performance is going to go down re- tions and artistic partners to bring that ally well. Seeing an astronaut suspended 20 “My favourite thing about The Big Feast is world-class content to the streets of Stoke-on- feet in the air above the high street should be that people can see an entertaining and un- Trent for free.” very engaging. usual performance without feeling pressured to put their hands in their pockets or under- Since 2013, Appetite has put on more than “Charlie O’Taney, Brooklyn Healer by The stand the theoretical background of it. 650 performances and reached almost 40,000 Miraculous Theatre Company does personal audience members. They expect to reach as performances for audiences of up to only four “It’s two days of fun, frivolity and feistiness, many as 12,000 people across The Big Feast people and it looks hilarious, as does Camper where people can stumble upon world-class weekend, from Stoke and beyond. Van Of Love by New Art Club - a musical ad- performances in unusual locations.” “To many people in the UK, Stoke-on-Trent is venture about Cupid falling in love, based most likely not considered to be a cultural around a pink VM Camper Van. destination,” says Gary, “but The Big Feast “I’m also really looking forward to the DIY The Big Feast returns to Stoke-on-Trent gives everyone the chance to engage with Drive-In Cinema from Flatpack - where chil- city centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 something that might have just been per- dren can build their own cars and watch ani- August. For more information, visit formed at the Edinburgh Fringe. mated shorts. It’s something we haven’t done appetitestoke.co.uk “These opportunities are vital for arts organi- before. sations across the UK. It pleases me that The “Each year, we try to introduce new ele-

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Visual Arts previews from around the region Visual Arts

Fearsome Craftsmen: Discover The Artistry Of The Viking World Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, Coventry, Sat 1 July - Sun 24 September A touring show from Jorvik Viking Centre, Fearsome Craftsmen offers visitors the chance to step back a thousand years to explore the story of the Vikings in Britain. The exhibition includes the oppor- tunity to learn about the people who settled in the country, and to explore Norse myths and legends in a family-friendly Viking settle- ment. Also featured are real examples of Viking crafts and a replica 15ft fish- ing boat, decorated with designs which exemplify ‘the true creative spirit of the Viking Age’.

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Visual Arts previews from around the region Visual Arts

Seurat To Riley: The Art Of Perception Compton Verney, Warwickshire, Sat 8 July - Sun 1 October The ways in which visual perceptions have been explored by artists is the theme of this thought-provoking summer exhibition. The colour theories of scientific thinkers such as Michel Eugène Chevreul have long been of interest to artists, among them Georges Seurat. The French post-Impressionist’s pointillist works featured colours other than those actu- ally painted on the canvas, generated in the eye of the viewer via the application of small dots of primary colour. Optical art continues to fascinate. Indeed, as recently as the 1960s, a high-profile ‘Op art’ movement was established, with famous expo- nents such as Bridget Riley developing and ex- ploring new possibilities. Works from Seurat through to Riley and be- yond are included in a wide-ranging show Wildlife Photographer Of The Year that’s well worth catching. Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 22 July - Sun 1 October After last summer hosting the exhibition for the very first time, Wolverhampton Art Gallery is this month welcoming back the prestigious Wildlife Photographer Of The Year show. Now in its 52nd year, the competition received more than 40,000 submissions from amateur and professional photographers in just shy of 100 countries. The exhibition is displayed in an ultra-modern lightbox format and features awe-inspir- ing images capturing fascinating animal behaviour and breathtaking landscapes. It visits the Midlands after premiering in London.

Sidney Nolan of people staring wide-eyed out of their Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, until 3 September pictorial space. Like ghosts wanting to make contact, they seem to interrogate us, Ikon’s exhibition forms part of a nation- spectrally, with their gaze.” wide programme of events to celebrate the centenary of Sir Sidney Nolan’s birth. Considered one of the most important artists of the 20th century, the Australian- born Nolan is best known for a series of Unknown Legacy paintings featuring legends from Aus- tralian history - including, and most fa- Artifex Gallery, Birmingham, Sat 1 - Sun 30 July mously, the outlaw Ned Kelly. This Birmingham show features a selection Birmingham-based artist Dr Mohsen Keiany of spray-painted portraits depicting indi- draws heavily on his Iranian heritage to create viduals who had a strong personal signifi- paintings which are characterised by their com- cance for Nolan, including close friend plex narrative compositions, jewel-like colours Benjamin Britten and fellow artist Francis and spiritual content. Bacon. “I am very much into multi-culturalism,” ex- “The portraits, made mainly with spray plains Mohsen. “I’m always interested in re- paint on canvas, exemplify the unflagging searching different cultures and traditions, inventiveness of Nolan,” explains Director particularly art and architecture. My artwork is of Ikon, Jonathan Watkins. “Large and deeply influenced by my Persian background stylistically very free, they're like sponta- and covers a range that encapsulates spiritual neous breathings of colour, artistic con- contemplation, humans and the natural world, spiracies that conjure up likenesses mainly and human mythical suffering.”

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FEATURE

FURNACE, FIRE

ANDShropshire celebrates 50STEAM Years of the Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust

Venture out into the Shropshire country- to enjoy a range of brand new features and country’s leading foundry for domestic and side around Telford and you might just special events throughout the summer. With decorative cast iron products, with many of find yourself journeying back in time to something to cater for all interests and ages, its magnificent designs now on display in the the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. the Coalbrookdale site looks set to be one of museum. the Midlands’ hottest holiday destinations for From the elegant family home of the pioneer- But the Museum of Iron’s redevelopment is 2017. ing Darby family to the Old Furnace and iron- only the first phase of an ongoing “Coal- works through which they rose to fortune, Following a six-month programme of exten- brookdale Masterplan”, an ambitious scheme and from the China works and beautifully sive redevelopment, the 50th anniversary cel- aiming to raise a total of £15million for use painted tiles of the Jackfield Museum to the ebrations began in April with the reopening across the site. Over the coming months and Broseley Pipeworks and 914 metre-long un- of the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron. Long years, the trust will be developing new exhi- derground Tar Tunnel, there’s a whole wealth before the advances of the Victorian age, iron bitions, increasing educational opportunities of history to explore in and around the fa- had been at the centre of the Ironbridge story and putting currently redundant space to mous Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge for thousands of years. practical use. Gorge. Located in a bright, expansive building not Nearby, the National Design & Technology One of the UK’s first attractions to be desig- far from the original 18th century furnace, Centre, Enginuity, is also set to undergo an nated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1986, the museum follows the evolution of the area expansion and full redesign, bringing it up to Ironbridge has long been internationally through the ages, from the abundant lime- date with the latest in digital tech to inspire a recognised as offering an invaluable insight stone, iron ore and low-sulphur coal seams greater understanding of STEAM (science, into Britain’s industrial past. A total of 10 forming its distinctive geology, to the first en- technology, engineering, art and maths) sub- separate museums, 36 scheduled ancient trepreneurs to take advantage of its rich and jects. But if you can’t wait for all of that to monuments and several listed buildings over readily accessible raw materials. In particu- start, the centre already offers plenty to enjoy a six square-mile area are managed by the lar, it celebrates the groundbreaking work of in its present state. Continuing Ironbridge’s Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, placing it Abraham Darby, who helped to catalyse the proud engineering legacy, Enginuity invites among the world’s largest independent mu- industrial revolution by smelting iron ore curious minds to explore and interact with seum operators. Formed by the Dawley De- with coke instead of charcoal. the technology of the past, present and fu- velopment Corporation in 1967, the trust this ture in a scientific wonderland. Bright year celebrates an incredible 50 years, and in Later in the 19th century, the Coalbrookdale colours, sounds and hands-on exhibits create honour of this milestone, visitors will be able Company he created went on to become the

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by Heather Kincaid

a sensory feast guaranteed to spark kids’ gles and top hat, browse the market for acces- chance to see the furnace blazing and watch imaginations. sories, and stick around after dark for a Wild spectacular casting demonstrations in the Throughout the summer holidays, there’ll also West-themed evening extravaganza, featuring town’s iron foundry. shootouts, saloon girls and zombie outbreaks! be opportunities to try your hand at new skills The highlight of the series will be a special in a series of exciting drop-in Enginuity work- Meanwhile, those who prefer their entertain- Steam Weekend on 19 & 20 August, when the shops. From 26 to 30 July and 7 to 13 August, ment more traditional and free of ‘the undead’ town will come alive with a dazzling array of you can decorate a copper keyring with can kick back with a night of 1930s nostalgia steam machines. In addition to the Coalbrook- enamel beads, then watch as the high temper- in the Forest Glen Pavilion on Friday 28 July. dale locomotive, discover the Merry Weather atures of the mini-furnace fix them in place. Dust off your vintage gear and enjoy the hits fire pump, Fielding oil engine and various From 31 July to 6 August and from 14 to 20 Au- of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and Judy Garland portable and ploughing engines. ‘Billy’, the gust, you can make your own pewter medal- over a delicious meal, finished off with tea or fantastic 1903 Wallis & Steevens roadroller, lion by carving a design into foam to produce coffee and a classic sherry trifle dessert. will also be in operation, alongside the Blists a mould, then watch as it gets filled in with But a special occasion calls for special cele- Hill steam hammer and ironworks engines, molten metal. Finally, from 21 August to 3 brations, and unique 50th anniversary events complete with a 27-tonne fly wheel. September, kids will be able to make a work- will fill the school holidays in the form of a ing paddleboat. Furnace, Fire and Steam series. Between 26 As always, the picturesque and ever-popular July and 3 September, vintage steam machines Blists Hill Victorian Town plays host to will be up and running in Blists Hill. These Blists Hill Victorian Town, Enginuity and themed events, family fun and academic con- will include the newly restored Winding En- other Ironbridge museums are open from ferences throughout the summer. The July pro- gine and an accurate replica of Trevithick’s 10am to 4pm daily, with special events gramme kicks off on Saturday the first with 1802 Coalbrookdale locomotive, believed to be sometimes running outside normal hours. the town’s first ever Steampunk Festival. the world’s very first steam locomotive. An annual passport ticket, allowing Beautifully preserved shops, streets and more unlimited entry into all 10 attractions, At the Jackfield Tile and Coalport China Muse- provide the perfect backdrop for Victorian-in- costs just £25 for adults and £15 for ums, you can create your own unique designs spired fancy dress, while the area’s rich indus- children, with concessions and family inspired by the ‘fire and furnace’ theme, while trial history taps into the subculture’s discounts also available. on Wednesday mornings, there’ll even be a science-fiction influences. So grab your gog-

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FEATURE SUMMER OF FUN With the school holidays once again upon us, parents across the Midlands will no doubt be looking for places to visit and things to do with their kids during the long summer break. We’ve taken a look at what’s happening where and have come up with a few suggestions to get you started...

All aboard for Severn Valley Plenty on offer for young Railway summertime fun adventurers at Avoncroft Kidderminster, DY10 1QR, Tel 01562 757900 Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, B60 4JR With its exciting steam trains, fantastic events Tel 01527 831363 and equally fantastic ticket offer, Severn Valley Railway has everything you need for a great family adventure this summer. And from 22 July to 3 September, families can enjoy a day out on the railway for just £44! Visitors can hop on and off to explore any of SVR’s six historic stations, while the Flag & Whistle Food Stop is the perfect destination to refuel. The unlimited travel pass also provides entry to The Engine House Visitor Centre, complete with its wealth of interactive exhibits, including brand new exhibition Floods Of 2007 - Ten Years On. There’s also the Coalyard Miniature Railway at Kidderminster and the Paddock Garden Miniature at Hampton Loade to enjoy. For further information and forthcoming events, visit svr.co.uk There’s action and adventure aplenty on offer at this Bromsgrove living history museum during the summer. Arty escapades and vintage Themed activities include: Wilderness Warriors, where young adventurers can get fun at Compton Verney back to basics and learn survival skills; Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ Traditional Games, allowing visitors to play Tel 01926 645500 boardgames, fly kites and enjoy an abundance Set in 120 acres of classical parkland of outdoor fun; and Folklore, where more- landscaped by Capability Brown, adventurous visitors can seek out the mythical Warwickshire’s ‘best art gallery and park’ offers beasts that dwell within the museum grounds. a summer-long programme of boredom-busting Pony & train rides, have-a-go archery and 19 events to keep visitors entertained during the acres of park-like grounds offer plenty more six-week school holiday. reason to visit this popular venue. For art lovers, Compton’s summer exhibition, Seurat To Riley: The Art Of Perception, runs from And when you’re ready for some rest and 8 July to 1 October (see page 37 for more info). Aviation enthusiasts, meanwhile, can observe relaxation, the Edwardian Tea Rooms provide scaled models in action in Wings And Water on 23 July, while those wishing to step back in an ideal setting in which to enjoy a cuppa and time can do so on 5 August, when Compton returns to the Swinging ’60s with a celebration of a slice of cake. For information on all Motown, Mods and Michael Caine. For all summer events, opening times and further forthcoming events, prices and opening times, information, visit comptonverney.org.uk visit avoncroft.org,uk

Motoring treasures at the history of exhibits every Monday, or take part in crafty workshops (Tuesdays to British Motor Museum Saturdays) in which you’re invited to create Banbury Rd, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 OBJ your very own motoring treasure to take Tel 01926 641188 home. From family tours with costumed guides to an Meanwhile, My First Car Project invites abundance of themed craft activities, this visitors young and old to create a drawing or award-winning museum is geared up to host compose a few words about their first vehicle a ‘treasure trove’ of child-friendly activities - and yep, that does include pedal cars! over the summer holidays. For information about all summer events, Meet costumed explainers who’ll talk through visit britishmotormuseum.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Summer Fun Davina.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 19:30 Page 3

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MORE SUMMER FUN...

Mythical tales and Saxon The metal’s not heavy history at Tamworth Castle at the British Ironworks The Holloway, Tamworth, Staffs, B79 7NA Centre Tel 01827 709626 Whitehall, Aston, Morda, Oswestry, SY11 4JH Join Tamworth’s resident storyteller this Tel: 0800 688 8386 summer for mythical tales of knights, dragons and princesses. Visitors are invited to attend The British Ironwork Centre boasts a varied dressed in costume and get involved with the numerous craft activities on offer. collection of beautifully decorative metal Throughout July the castle is hosting an Enchanted Trail, along which families can discover items for the home and garden, some of which the wishing tree and encounter mischievous pixies. are faithful reproductions of ironwork no In August the focus shifts to the Saxons, with activities revolving around hands-on longer seen today. archaeology, runic puzzles, history lessons about warrior princess Aethelflaed and Saxon There’s also a collection of animal sculptures battle tactics. to admire - including a majestic silverback go- Visitors can also meet the laundress and help her prepare clothes for washing the medieval rilla - and indoor show areas featuring a trea- way, while the castle’s armourer will explain how maille was made and medieval weapons sure trove of trinkets and interior adornments. fashioned. The venue’s outdoor area, meanwhile, is home For further information and forthcoming events, visit tamworthcastle.co.uk to an impressive array of carefully crafted ar- chitectural structures and sculptures. The centre also features an exotic zoo and An action-packed summer hosts numerous family fun days throughout the year, with scavenger and ladybug hunts, at Twinlakes Theme Park vintage car rallies, motorbike meets and bal- Melton Spinney Rd, Melton Mowbray, loon festivals among the attractions featured Leicester, LE14 4SB Tel: 01664 567777 on the events calendar. All-action theme park Twinlakes is offering For information about what’s on at the venue plenty of family-friendly fun this summer this summer, visit britishironworkcentre.co.uk holiday. The popular East Midlands venue has weird and wonderful attractions aplenty to explore, including a birds of prey centre, a creepy-critter zone and a vast indoor arena of family-orientated activities. And that’s not all. August sees three action-packed shows taking place at the Melton Mowbray theme park: Mad Science (on the 3rd), Meet Rex The T-Rex (8th to the 12th) and Titan The Robot (28th). For more information, visit twinlakespark.co.uk

A summer of science at award-winning Thinktank Millennium Point, Birmingham, B6 6JD. Tel: 0121 348 8000 This award-winning science museum is packed with things to see and do during the summer holidays. Static features include the Spitfire Gallery - showcasing the innovative design and cutting-edge technology that played such an important role in World War Two - and the Marine Worlds Gallery, exploring animals past and present that have adapted to life in the sea. There’s also the Planetarium, presenting regular shows about astronomy and space. Elsewhere, the outdoor Science Garden is packed with fun things to do, with more than 30 hands-on exhibits bringing to life the subjects of engineering, mechanics and transportation. For further information, visit birminghammuseums.org.uk

Get active at Malvern pastimes for children aged between seven and 13. Activity days start from £35 Outdoor Elements per person, with an 8% discount if you Old Hollow, West Malvern, Worcester- book for five days. shire, WR14 4NR Tel: 01684 574546 So if you have an adventurous youngster There’s no shortage of exciting activities chomping at the bit for some adrenaline- for youngsters to enjoy at Malvern fuelled action over the summer holidays, Outdoor Elements. check out malvernoutdoors.co.uk for A not-for-profit organisation based in more information. nine acres of woodland in the beautiful Activities include hill walking, abseiling, setting of the Malvern Hills, this outdoor kayaking, canoeing, high & low ropes, adventure site offers a wide range of fun king swings, orienteering and problem solving. whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:42 Page 1

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Events previews from around the region Events

Steampunk Festival Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Sat 1 - Sun 2 July This first ever steampunk festival at Blists Hill forms part of Ironbridge Gorge Museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Steampunk is a subgenre of science fantasy that reimagines modern technology powered by 19th century steam. Highlights of the festival include an exhibition of steampunk art, costumes and sculptures, a living history encampment, inflatable dinosaurs featuring in an interactive event, the chance for youngsters to track down fairies hidden in a garden, and a craft area in which kids can make their own steampunk items. The Saturday evening sees Blists Hill transformed into a fantastical science-fiction Western World, complete with zombie outbreaks, shootouts and saloon-bar girls.

JQ Festival Dinosaurs In The Wild Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, NEC, Birmingham, Fri 28 - Sun 30 July until Wed 23 August Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter Festival Dramatic storytelling and high-end returns for a third year this month. digital graphics and animatronics lie Organised by the Jewellery Quarter at the heart of this brand new show. Business Improvement District (JQBID) The 70-minute experience combines and supported by local businesses, the theatre, theme park fun and the very festival features a range of free family latest scientific research to create an activities, entertainment including local immersive adventure that’s ‘designed comedian Barbara Nice, live music, free to make you feel as though you’re heritage tours and a selection of street really there, in amongst the dinosaurs, food and drink. For further information, in their world, at their time’. visit jewelleryquarter.net/JQ-Festival The show has been created by the award-winning producers of the hit BBC TV series, Walking With Dinosaurs.

Formula One: British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire, Fri 14 - Sun 16 July The main event needs no introduction, with Lewis Hamilton hoping to win his fifth British Grand Prix as he attempts to reclaim his World Champion crown. Away from the fast lane, this three-day Silverstone spectacular offers plenty of attractions to keep visitors fully en- gaged. Sara Cox headlines the Friday night entertainment, presenting a DJ set called Just Can’t Get Enough ’80s, while Reef & The Hoosiers are the top attraction at the Saturday night con- cert. The RPJ Band play the Grand Prix after-party on the Sunday. whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:42 Page 3 Events July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 16:42 Page 4

Events previews from around the region Events

The Hive At Five The Hive, Worcester, Sat 8 July Worcester venue The Hive this month celebrates its fifth birthday with a series of special events. Anniversary highlights include cake-making competition The Great Hive Cake-Off, a ‘creation station’ featuring treasure hunts, storytelling and craft activities, and a dance performance by Watch Out Worcester Dance Fest. There’s also an exhibition about the venue on show from the 3rd to the 10th of the month.

Shropshire Family Vintage Show The Greenhous West Mid Antiques For Everyone WIN TICKETS! Showground, Shrewsbury, Summer Fair Sat 1 - Sun 2 July Visit: whatsonlive.co.uk Hundreds of vintage motorbikes, NEC, Birmingham, Tues 20 - Sun 23 July cars, tractors and military With more than 200 specialist dealers vehicles are on display at this showcasing their wares, Antiques For Everyone popular family show, which also is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK. features a children's activity This latest edition of the show features as its centre, steam-powered carousel, centrepiece an exhibition celebrating ‘the and numerous displays and wonderful world of gadgets, gizmos and demonstrations. thingamajigs’. The display comprises an Admission for children under the impressive range of obscure and unusual age of 16 is free. objects, including a number of eccentric labour- saving devices, ladies accoutrements and World War Two escape buttons. Brindleyplace The featured items have been loaned to the Film Festival show by Maurice Collins, whose interest in Brindleyplace, Birmingham, collecting began in the 1970s when he would Mon 17 - Sun 23 July accompany his son on bottle-digging trips to Taking place for a sixth year and old Victorian rubbish tips. once again free to attend, the Brindleyplace Film Festival fea- tures a selection of hit movies se- lected by the general public. Step Back To The 1940s All aboard for a Severn Valley Railway train “There are some fantastic films journey back in time to the 1940s. on the shortlist this year,” says Severn Valley Railway, Bridgnorth, Shropshire The railway’s lighthearted homage to wartime Sat 1 - Sun 2 July Brindleyplace Marketing & Britain features an impressive selection of Events Executive Nathan attractions up and down the line. Sanghera. “Whether you love the Visitors are encouraged to get dressed up and join classic romance of Top Gun, the event’s costumed re-enactors, with ‘Prime want to see the Avengers Assem- Minister Winston Churchill’ and ‘King George VI’ ble on the big screen, watch Men both in attendance. In Black save the galaxy or bring Taking place across two weekends, the festival Charlie’s Angels to Central includes firefighting reenactments, vintage bus Square, make sure you vote!” rides, musical entertainment, a wartime newsreel, a vintage marketplace and a big band show featuring the Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra.

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Events

1940s Weekend BCLM Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Sat 15 - Sun 16 July The sights and sounds of wartime Britain are recreated in the region this month, courtesy of this nostalgic weekend. BCLM’s largest-ever celebration of all things 1940s, the event offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wartime atmosphere. Attractions include vintage memorabilia markets, the chance to say hello to some 1940s characters and the opportunity to ‘get handy’ in make-do-and-mend workshops. Air-raid scenarios take place throughout the weekend, and there’s plenty of food and drink to enjoy too, including American-style cuisine from a GI bar.

Viking Weekend Truckfest Hands On History: Arley Arboretum & Gardens, Bewdley, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Sat 1 - Sun 2 July Worcestershire Sat 1 - Sun 2 July Medieval Telford’s Raudr Vagr Vikings group are this Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire, month setting up camp on the front lawn of Mon 24 - Sun 30 July the Arboretum to present a weekend-long Wannabe knights and young Living History experience. Over the course of princesses are sure to enjoy a day the two days, the reenactors will be demon- out at Kenilworth Castle. strating a variety of Viking Age crafts, skills, And if you’re thinking of popping games and pastimes. They’ll also be engag- along there this summer holiday, ing in numerous combat displays and chat- why not coincide your visit with the ting to visitors about all things Viking. residency of the Hands On History crew, who’ll be bringing the past to life and revealing the ingenious se- crets of castle-building. Other attractions at the 900-year-old Making a welcome return to Malvern, Truck- one-time medieval fortress include fest showcases a range of family entertain- the chance to scale the heights of the ment, a programme of main-arena events tower built to woo Queen Elizabeth I, and ‘all that’s best in the road haulage indus- check out the mighty Norman keep, try’. Highlights include appearances by explore the exhibition in the Gate- celebrity truckers, live music from Chel- house and visit the majestic Great tenham-based rock, boogie and blues four- Hall, a room that would once upon a piece Hot Tubes, monster truck action and a time have played host to all manner family funfair. of medieval monarchs and early Tudor kings. Dinosaur School The Fast Car Festival Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Donington Park, Northamptonshire, Sun 2 July Mon 31 July - Fri 4 August Making a full-throttle return to Donington Dinosaur lovers get the chance to learn all after enjoying a record-breaking year in 2016, about their favourite prehistoric creatures at The Fast Car Festival aims ‘to capture the this week-long get-together. essence of all that’s great from the past, pre- Featuring dinosaur facts, fossils, art, model sent and future of the motoring industry’. making and stories, the children-only event The event features thousands of on-display is suitable for youngsters aged between vehicles, including Supercars, Hypercars, seven and 11. perfectly restored barn finds, rallycross Highlights include the chance to make a baby champions, quarter-mile demons and vin- dinosaur nest, create a dinosaur sculpture tage classics. Stunts, demos and appearances and learn to make fossil drawings. by racing legends further add to the fun.

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Events previews from around the region

Stratford-upon-Avon River Festival Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Sat 1 - Sun 2 July The award-winning Stratford River Festival features a wide range of entertainment for the local com- munity to enjoy. Among the two-day event’s high- lights are live music, a host of fun activities taking place in the fam- ily & charity zone, a display of nar- rowboats, an artisan craft market, numerous global food stalls and a ‘spectacular’ firework display on the Saturday night.

Pirates Day The Potteries Museum & Art Moscow State Circus: Gostinitsa - Hotel Of Curiosities Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Sun 9 July Becketts Farm, Wythall, Birmingham, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July Well shiver yer timbers and splice the mainbrace if there ain’t a The Moscow State Circus is very possibly the human skill and endurance - many of which packed programme of piratical best-known circus in the world, based on over are evident in this current production. pursuits awaitin’ visitors to the 200 years of tradition. When animals became Highlights of the show include unicycling, Potteries Museum & Art Gallery an unpopular aspect of circuses, this flexible foot juggling, trapeze acts and high-wire acro- this month! family favourite adapted to survive by moving bats. Award-winning clowns The Chervotkins Families can join in a sea shanties the emphasis to astonishing displays of Duo are the audience’s guide for the evening. singalong, settle back for stories of seafaring adventure, participate in a cutlass drill at Pirate School and Camper Jam enjoy a puppet presentation of Blackbeard The Pirate. Weston Park, Shropshire, There are even a number of real Fri 7 - Sun 9 July parrots in attendance - although One of the most anticipated and that other great pirate staple of highly regarded shows of its bottles of rum may be harder to kind, Camper Jam is marketed as come by! a fun-filled family-friendly event with a chilled-out, take-it-easy vibe. Weekend highlights include live bands, hundreds of traders, a ‘tastebud-tantalising’ food village, numerous children’s activities, a funfair and the always-popular ‘cooking in a camper’ competition. The show is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary. READER OFFER! Present advert on page 52 to save £1 off ticket price

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Your week by week listings guide July 2017 thelist

Little Mix at Donington Park, Derby - Sat 1 July

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

What’s On Sat 1 to Sun 9 July Mon 10 to Sun 16 July Mon 17 to Sun 23 July Mon 24 to Mon 31 July

Godiva Festival at War Lazy Jazz On The Lawn at Bug Jam Festival at Santa Gary Numan at The Assembly, Memorial Park, Coventry Witley Court, Worcestershire Pod Raceway Leamington Spa Fri 7 - Sun 9 July Every Sunday in July Fri 21 - Sun 23 July Sat 29 July

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thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 July THROUGHOUT JULY Gigs

Rugby Art Gallery & Museum GORDON HENDRICKS - Visual Arts UNITS OF POSSIBILITY: THE REKNIT REV- THE ULTIMATE ELVIS Artrix, Bromsgrove OLUTION, AMY TWIGGER HOLROYD In TRIBUTE Sat 1 July, Royal Spa Centre, NEW RICHARD MCILWRAITH: DEPARTING her first major solo exhibition, Twig- Leamington Spa Richard's message: Pause, look, for- ger Holroyd aims to share and pro- get yourself, engage, reflect, make mote techniques for reknitting, until GARETH GATES Sat 1 more of yourself, Wed 12 July - Sun Sat 2 Sept July, Lichfield Garrick 13 Aug SHOOT THE SYMPHONY, The Hive, Worcester THE MOJO FILTERS & Birmingham Museum & NEW SIXTH FORM COLLEGE STUDENT MIDDLE SPACE Sat 1 Art Gallery SHOW A selection of current AS Art & July, The Sunflower THRESHOLD By artist Mat Collishaw Design student work in fine art, Lounge, Birmingham Hayseed Dixie - The Assembly, Leamington Spa and photographic historian Pete graphics, photography and textiles, MUNCH Sat 1 July, Tues 11 - Sun 23 July James. This virtual-reality art show Hare & Hounds, July Kitchen Garden atres celebrates the city's contribution to NEW A SLICE OF WORCESTERSHIRE Birmingham Cafe, Birmingham AC/DC UK Fri 7 July, the technology that revolutionised OPEN STUDIOS Exhibition featuring MOTOWN'S GREATEST TONY BENNETT Mon 3 The River Rooms, 'the way we see, record, represent works by local artists in a variety of HITS - HOW SWEET IT IS and understand the visible and invisi- styles and media, including painting, July, Symphony Hall, Stourbridge Sat 1 July, New Birmingham ble world', until Sun 3 Sept, Waterhall printmaking, photography, textiles, Alexandra Theatre, RUST FOR GLORY Fri 7 Gallery jewellery, ceramics and mixed media, Birmingham JESSE MALIN Mon 3 July, The Marr's Bar, Mon 24 July - Sun 20 Aug July, The Rainbow Worcester I WANT! I WANT!: ART & TECHNOLOGY A QUILL Sat 1 July, The Venues, Birmingham curated selection from the Arts Coun- Core Theatre, Solihull ELBOW Fri 7 July, Can- cil Collection - with key loans from Worcester City Museum & Art TRAVIS SCOTT Tues 4 nock Chase Forest THE HURLING BOYS Sat other major collections - that pre- Gallery July, O2 Academy, THE UB40 EXPERIENCE sents the work of contemporary 1 July, Irish Centre, Birmingham ENQUIRING MINDS Featuring drawings Birmingham Fri 7 July, The Road- artists using new technologies, until by naturalist John Gould, land and HAYSEED DIXIE Tues 4 house, Birmingham Sun 1 Oct cityscape watercolours by HH Lines JUST FLOYD Sat 1 July, July, The Assembly SOWETO KINCH Fri 7 and local artefacts discovered by fa- Route 44, Birmingham FAITH IN BIRMINGHAM, Exploring how Rooms, Leamington July, Birmingham mous archaeologist Pitt Rivers, until ABBA FOREVER different faiths have influenced and Sat 1 Spa Town Hall Sat 11 Nov shaped the city, until Sun 3 Feb 2019 July, The Roses The- STEVE ASHLEY Tues 4 atre, Tewkesbury CHRIS BOWDEN Fri 7 July, The Roses The- July, Symphony Hall, Compton Verney Gallery, Other VISUAL ARTS THE BIG CHRIS BARBER atre, Tewkesbury Birmingham Warwick JACKIE CUNLIFFE Jackie specialises in BAND Sat 1 July, Artrix, LINKIN PARK Thurs 6 BLINK 182 Fri 7 July, PORTRAIT MINIATURES Over 40 minia- watercolours depicting exotic loca- Bromsgrove July, Barclaycard Barclaycard Arena, ture paintings from the Dumas tions, until Sun 2 July, Evesham Arts HENRY WU Sat 1 July, Arena, Birmingham Birmingham Egerton Trust Collection, until Sun 17 Centre Hare & Hounds, Birm- THE STRYPES Thurs 6 GORDON HENDRICKS - Dec NOTHING IS NATURAL. NOTHING IS ingham July, The Assembly THE ULTIMATE ELVIS STATIC A new photographic exhibition SOUL STRIPPER Sat 1 Rooms, Leamington TRIBUTE Sat 8 July, Forge Mill Needle Museum, by Midlands-based photographer July, The Marr's Bar, Spa Malvern Theatres Redditch Robert Shuttleworth. The exhibition Worcester JANE TAYLOR Thurs 6 highlights the human impact on the ARCHIE HAMILTON, SEB NEW PIRATES! FACT OF FICTION A jour- THE ONE LOVE BAND July, Kitchen Garden urban and rural scene and show- ZITO, LOPASKI Sat 8 ney through the Golden Age of pi- Sat 1 July, The River Cafe, Birmingham cases the surprising beauty of our July, The Rainbow rates! Sat 22 July - Sun 3 Sept Rooms, Stourbridge changing environment, until Sun 2 ANDY MORRISH , PETE Venues, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM CITY July, The Rooftop Gallery @ Ginger, WHEATELY AND FRIENDS THE STICKMEN Sat 8 Herbert Art Gallery & COUNCIL CHOIR-SUM- Warwick Thurs 6 July, Katie July, Kasbah, Coventry Museum, Coventry MER CONCERT Sat 1 Fitzgerald's, Stour- THE PLAY'S THE THING Family-friendly NEW FEARSOME CRAFTSMEN: DISCOVER July, mac, Birmingham bridge TITAN OF TITANS Sat 8 RSC exhibition full of treasures from July, Hare & Hounds, THE ARTISTRY OF THE VIKING WORLD THE VAMPS the archives and the museum collec- Sat 1 July, DIAMOND “THE ULTI- Birmingham tion, including rarely seen props, O2 Academy, B’ham MATE TRIBUTE” Thurs 6 Learn more about the people who CRAIG CHARLES- FUNK costumes and original set designs, THE ASTOR BIG BAND July, Palace Theatre, settled in Britain, and explore the & SOUL SHOW Sat 8 until Sun 10 Sept, The Swan Theatre AND SINGERS Redditch Norse myths and legends passed Sun 2 July, The Glee Club, Stratford down through generations in a unique July, New Alexandra AIRWAYS Thurs 6 July, Birmingham family-friendly Viking settlement. A DRAW NEW MISCHIEF Exhibition ex- Theatre, Birmingham The Sunflower SPECIAL KINDA MAD- touring exhibition from Jorvik Viking ploring 250 years of Shakespeare GLADYS KNIGHT Lounge, Birmingham Sun 2 NESS Sat 8 July, The Centre, Sat 1 July - Sun 24 Sept and political cartoons, until Fri 15 July, Symphony Hall, THE MELLSTOCK TRIO - Roadhouse, B’ham Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Birmingham THE THOMAS HARDY Stratford-Upon-Avon INTO THE SHADOWS Sat Museum JUST FLOYD Sun 2 July, SONG BOOK Fri 7 July, Huntingdon Hall, 8 July, Stratford NEW DRAWN FROM LIFE Exhibition fea- NEW CARTISTS: REIMAGINING THE CAR The Robin, Bilston Worcester Artshouse turing works from the Arts Council Fourteen artists, one challenge… RICK ASTLEY Sun 2 KONSTANTINOS KOUFOS Collection by LS Lowry, Peter Blake, Transform a car into a work of art! 2 BAD MICE & DJ FAYDZ July, Delamere Forest, Sun 9 July, O2 Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth, Cartists bring together some of the Fri 7 July, Hare & Northwich, Cheshire Academy, Birmingham Lucian Freud, David Hockney and best contemporary creativity in the Hounds, Birmingham UK for an exclusive and unique fu- GAZ BROOKFIELD AND many other significant artists, Fri 7 MR BEN Fri 7 July, ROY ORBISON & BUDDY sion of industrial design and artistic THE COMPANY OF July - Sun 17 Sept Drummonds Bar, HOLLY SHOW Sun 9 imagination, Sat 15 July - Sun 29 THIEVES Sun 2 July, Worcester July, Evesham Arts Oct, Coventry Transport Museum The Marr's Bar, Centre Worcester THE ELO EXPERIENCE Fri JOANNA EDEN Sun 2 7 July, Malvern The- 54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List NEW Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 9 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:08 Page 2

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 July

sky’s Petrushka, Wed 5 July, Chel- Avon Birmingham tenham Town Hall, Cheltenham DER ROSENKAVALIER Welsh National Classical Music EDDIE BRIMSON, DARIUS DAVIES, STU- THE REDDITCH ORCHESTRA: LAST NIGHT Opera present a staging of Strauss' ART GOLDSMITH & PHIL ELLIS Sat 8 OF THE PROMS Programme includes sumptuous comedy. Sung in German SINFONIA SUMMER CONCERT Featuring July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham works by Sullivan, Mozart, Henry with English surtitles, Sat 1 July, Jonathan Bloxham (conductor) and Wood, Elgar & Parry, Sat 8 July, Ar- JUSTIN MOORHOUSE Sat 8 July, The Birmingham Hippodrome Claire Burnell (french horn). Pro- trix, Bromsgrove Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham gramme includes works by Mozart, NOREEN KHAN, GUZ KHAN, AATIF NAWAZ, Strauss, JS Bach & Mendelssohn, ENGLISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Fea- ALI OFFICIAL & NABIL ABDULRASHID Sat 1 July, St Andrew’s Church, Barnt turing Academia Musica Choir, Sel- Sun 9 July, The Glee Club, B’ham Green, Bromsgrove wyn College Choir, Amy Wood (soprano), Esther Brazil (alto), Ruairi PATRICK LIVE AT THE SANDY HOLES Bowen (tenor), Michael Mofidian HOTEL Sun 9 July, mac, Birmingham (bass) & Sarah MacDonald (conduc- tor). Programme comprises Bach’s B Minor Mass, Sat 8 July, Great Malvern Priory

Theatre MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Presented by FOH Theatre Company, Sat 1 July, CARMILLA Stage27 present Sheridan The Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon La Fanu’s gothic novella, Fri 30 June Comedy - Sat 1 July, mac, Birmingham TWELFTH NIGHT Rain Or Shine Theatre BRANT INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETI- Company present an outdoor staging THE ODD COUPLE Melting Pot Theatre TION: THE FINAL Sat 1 July, Birming- ROB ROUSE, PAUL THORNE, RO CAMP- of Shakespeare’s magical tale, Sat 1 Company present Neil Simon’s ham Town Hall BELL & GEORGE ZACH Sat 1 July, The July, Witley Court, Worcester comic play concerning two mis- Glee Club, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM JUNIOR CONSERVATOIRE matched roommates, until Sat 1 July, MORE UNBEARABLE PLEASURES OF SHOWCASE Featuring Daniele Rosina MICKEY BARTLETT, ALLYSON JUNE The Coach House Theatre, Malvern BEING A WOMAN With Joana Eden and (conductor), Jeffrey Snowdon (con- SMITH, JOHN LYNN & SIMON BLIGH Sat Leigh McDonald, Sat 1 July, The Old EMMA Stage adaptation of Jane ductor), Timothy English (conductor), 1 July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Austen’s witty tale of romance and David Wynne (conductor), Junior PIERRE HOLLINS, JOE ROWANTREE & mistaken intentions, until Sat 1 July, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Outdoor stag- Conservatoire Choirs and Orchestras. SEAN PERCIVAL Sat 1 July, Jongleurs Malvern Theatres ing of the Crescent Theatre’s version Programme includes works by Lehar Comedy Club, Birmingham of Jane Austen’s romantic novel, Sat and Tchaikovsky, Sat 1 July, The Bra- THE WINTER'S TALE Second Thoughts BARBARA NICE, GARAGHTY AND THOM 1 - Sun 2 July, Castle Bromwich Hall mall, Birmingham Drama Group fuse live music with a Gardens, Birmingham Sat 1 July, mac, Birmingham post-war setting and an ensemble THE CBSO IN SUTTON PARK Features FIN TAYLOR & KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN cast to present a modern reinvention A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Pre- Michael Seal (conductor) and Noah Wed 5 July, The Glee Club, B’ham of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, sented by Little Lute Productions, Stewart (tenor). Programme includes until Sat 1 July, The Bear Pit Theatre - Sun 2 July, The Dell, Stratford-upon- works by Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Puc- DANIEL TOWNES, IAN COPPINGER & The United Reformed Church, Strat- Avon cini, Mascagni, Elgar, Williams, Bern- COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- ford-upon-Avon A JUDGEMENT IN STONE A brand new stein, Donizetti and many more, Sat 1 SON Thurs 6 July, The Glee Club, staging of Ruth Rendell's classic July, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield Birmingham TITUS ANDRONICUS Bloody and brutal play in which the decay of Rome thriller, Mon 3 - Sat 8 July, Wolver- YOUTH CHORUS SUMMER SHOWCASE BRENNAN REECE & ELEANOR TIERNAN reaches violent depths, until Sat 2 hampton Grand Theatre Features Julian Wilkins (conductor). Thurs 6 July, mac, Birmingham Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, INDOMADOR BY ANIMAL RELIGION Programme includes works by MARCUS BIRDMAN, ZOE LYONS, PHIL Stratford-upon-Avon Comic, punchy look at the way we Brahms, Britten, Elgar, Fauré, Holst, REID & GEORGE ZACH Thurs 6 July, build our identities. Part of BE FESTI- Mendelssohn and John Rutter, Sat 1 LA CAGE AUX FOLLES John Partridge, The George Hotel, Lichfield VAL 2017, Tues 4 July, The REP, July, CBSO Centre, Birmingham Adrian Zmed & Marti Webb star in a KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs touring production of the smash-hit Birmingham SPOTLIGHT ON BROADWAY Espressivo 6 July, Stourbridge Town Hall musical, until Sat 1 July, Grand The- THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN Chorus presents songs from Broad- HAL CRUTTENDEN & KEN CHENG Fri 7 atre, Wolverhampton THE NIGHT TIME Highly acclaimed Na- way classics to contemporary hit July, Stratford Artshouse, Stratford- tional Theatre production based on shows, Sun 2 July, The Bramall, SALOMÉ Oscar Wilde’s lyrical drama, upon-Avon Mark Haddon's award-winning novel, Birmingham written in French and originally banned in England, recounts in a sin- Tues 4 - Sat 8 July, Birmingham Hip- SUMMER CONCERT OF ENGLISH CHORAL gle act the biblical story of Herod An- podrome MUSIC Featuring Stephen Dodsworth tipas’s daughter, until Wed 6 Sept, THE MIKADO Sasha Regan’s all-male (conductor) and Adrian Moore (or- Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s popular ganist). Programme includes works ford-upon-Avon opera, Tues 4 - Sat 8 July, Malvern by Orlando Gibbons, Henry Purcell, Theatre Alfred Hollins and Charles Villiers ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA Shake- Stanford, Tues 4th July, The Guild speare’s tragedy of love and power, THE SENSEMAKER BY WOMAN’S MOVE A Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon until Thurs 7 Sept, Royal Shake- story of managing expectations speare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon which fuses contrasting music and MUSIC FOR YOUTH NATIONAL FESTIVAL spoken word with a chopped-and- Tues 4 - Sat 8 July, Birmingham Sym- THE TEMPEST Outdoor staging of spliced soundtrack, Part of BE FESTI- phony Hall, Birmingham THE RAYMOND & MR TIMPKINS REVIEW Shakespeare’s last and most com- plete play, until Sat 8 July, Stafford VAL 2017, Wed 5 July, The REP, IGOR LEVIT PIANO RECITAL Programme WITH COMIC TBC Fri 7 July, Katie Castle Birmingham includes Shostakovich Preludes and Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge PORTRAITS AND SHORT STORIES BY Fugues Op 87, 170’, Wed 5 July, BARRY CRYER & COLIN SELL Fri 7 July, JULIUS CAESAR Bloody story of con- PANAMA PICTURES Using ropes, tram- Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham Artrix, Bromsgrove spiracy and murder, noble intentions and ignoble actions, until Sat 9 Sept, polines and daring acrobatics, the THE CBSO AT CHELTENHAM FESTIVALS DANIEL TOWNES, IAN COPPINGER, TOM Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- show explores the relationships bind- Features Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (con- HOUGHTON & MAFF BROWN Fri 7 - Sat ford-upon-Avon ing families & different generations ductor) and Jan Lisieckiė (piano). Pro- 8 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham together. Part of BE FESTIVAL 2017, VICE VERSA Phil Porter’s ‘side-split- gramme includes Debussy’s Prélude MATT REED & CERYS NELMES Fri 7 - Wed 5 July, The REP, Birmingham à l’après-midi d’un faune, Chopin’s ting’ comedy romp,until Sat 9 Sept, Sat 8 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, EVERYTHING IS OK BY MARCO Piano Concerto No 2 and Stravin- The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-

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thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 July D’AGOSTIN One-man show about cul- TINITSA: HOTEL OF CURIOSITIES Brand tural and sensory overload. Part of new show featuring award-winning BE FESTIVAL 2017, Wed 5 July, The clowns, jugglers, unicyclists and REP, Birmingham trapeze artists, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July, MY COUNTRY IS WHAT THE SEA DOESN’T Beckett's Farm, Birmingham WANT BY CASA DA ESQUINA The story ALL THE VOICES BY TANTE&TANTE The of Portuguese immigrants in the UK, eccentric sister-duo return to show- Part of BE FESTIVAL 2017, Wed 5 case the results of their awarded resi- July, The REP, Birmingham dency, which began a week in THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY advance of this year’s BE FESTIVAL, Using huge projection photos and Sat 8 July, The REP, Birmingham original film footage, this 50th An- BE NEXT UK Working in unison to cre- niversary celebration features a full ate a physical theatre performance, live band performing many of the this youth theatre initiative sees local duo’s hits, Wed 5 July, The Core The- 14 to 19-year-olds from a range of atre, Solihull backgrounds take to the stage. Part THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM of BE FESTIVAL 2017, Sat 8 July, The SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) Roller- REP, Birmingham coaster romp through all of Shake- HOMO FURENS BY PLAN-K Re-imagin- speare’s plays, Wed 5 - Sun 9 July, ing the experience of soldiers’ military The Old Joint Stock Theatre, B’ham training, this is a story about pushing LÉGENDE BY ROMAIN TEULE A perfor- beyond what we thought we were ca- mance lecture on the nature of lan- pable of. Part of BE FESTIVAL 2017, guage. Part of BE FESTIVAL 2017, Sat 8 July, The REP, Birmingham Thurs 6 July, The REP, Birmingham PERFORMANCE MUNICIPAL BY VICENTE SOLITUDES BY KULUNKA TEATRO A story ARLANDIS Playful dialogue testing the Macbeth - Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove about holding onto the simple and limits of language. Part of BE FESTI- everyday as we grow older. Part of VAL 2017, Sat 8 July, The REP, B’ham travaganza packed with a host of early-years play space for families re- BE FESTIVAL 2017, Thurs 6 July, The ANATOMIA PUBLICA BY MAN DRAKE A colourful characters, Sun 9 July, The turns, until Mon 28 Aug, Herbert Art REP, Birmingham story of strange, fractured relation- Core, Solihull Gallery & Museum, Coventry BETELGEZ BY KI OMOS KINEITAI Dark, ships in the aftermath of war. Part of SHAKESPEARE SHUFFLE Presented by SUMMER HOLIDAYS Summer of fun engrossing story of imminent dan- BE FESTIVAL 2017, Sat 8 July, The The Rose Company, Sun 9 July, The featuring magicians and ventrilo- ger... Part of BE FESTIVAL 2017, REP, Birmingham Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon quists, until Sun 3 Sept, Cadbury Thurs 6 July, The REP, Birmingham HENRY V Presented by Eris Theatre PATRICK LIVE AT THE SANDY HOLES World, Bournville, Birmingham HIAWATHA An in2theatre production Company, Sat 8 July, The Dell, Strat- HOTEL Join seaside cabaret legend ART COURSES until Sat 14 Oct, Arley based on the epic poem by Henry ford-upon-Avon Patrick as he recreates his summer- Arboretum, Bewdley Longfellow. Thurs 6 - Sat 8 July, The MISTER MAKER AND THE SHAPES LIVE! time spectacular from the infamous JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Bear Pit Theatre - The United Re- Interactive live show for younger au- Sandy Holes Hotel, Sun 9 July, mac, Learn about the history of the area, formed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon diences, Sat 8 July, Palace Theatre, Birmingham its buildings and businesses, Sat 1 CATS Youth Theatre production of the Redditch MAC(BETH) Presented by The Brit July, Museum of the Jewellery Quar- Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Join Illyria for a School, Sun 9 July, The Dell, Strat- ter, Birmingham classic, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 July, The social whirlwind of balls, dinners and ford-upon-Avon STEAMPUNK FESTIVAL Corsets and Rose Theatre, Kidderminster very eligible officers, Sat 8 July, Pack- MADAGASCAR - A MUSICAL ADVENTURE clogs at Ironbridge’s first ever Steam- BRITISH ENOUGH? An immersive, the- wood House, Solihull Theatretrain Hagley present an ama- punk gathering, Sat 1 - Sun 2 July, atrical, site-specific experience set in COMEDY OF ERRORS All-male theatre teur show based on the popular ani- Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Shropshire a future where British citizenship is group The Lord Chamberlain’s Men mated movie, Sun 9 July, Crescent BIRMINGHAM SANDWELL WEST MID- the ultimate prize. Part of BE FESTI- present an outdoor staging of Shake- Theatre, Birmingham LANDS FIESTA 2017 Celebration of Fil- VAL 2017, Thurs 6 & Sat 8 July, The speare’s farce, Sat 8 July, Kenilworth MEASURE FOR MEASURE Presented by ipino cultures and heritage, Sat 1 - REP, Birmingham Castle, Warwickshire The Brit School, Sun 9 July, The Dell, Sun 2 July, Lightwoods Park, Smeth- 40,000 CENTIMETRI QUADRATI BY CLAU- THE THIRD POLICEMAN Flann O’Brien’s Stratford-upon-Avon wick, Birmingham DIA CATARZI Paring her movements comic masterpiece, Sat 8 July, mac, VIKING WEEKEND! Raudr Vagr Vikings down to the essential, Claudia Catarzi Birmingham group re-creates the lifestyles of the finds possibilities in restricted space. HAMLET Presented by The Brit Viking and Anglo-Saxon peoples, Sat Part of BE FESTIVAL 2017, Fri 7 July, School, Sat 8 July, The Dell, Strat- 1 - Sun 2 July, Arley Arboretum, Be- The REP, Birmingham ford-upon-Avon Events wdley TAMING OF THE SHREW Heartbreak ROMEO & JULIET Oddsocks breathe STEP BACK TO THE 1940S All aboard for Productions present an outdoor stag- new life into Shakespeare’s classic BIRMINGHAM INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL Eu- a Severn Valley Railway train journey ing of Shakespeare’s unconventional tale by giving it a Mods & Rockers rope’s largest Indian film festival, back in time to the 1940s, Sat 1 - Sun love story. Suitable for ages eight- theme, Sat 8 July, Fillongley Lodge, often referred to as the ‘punk-rock of 2 July, Severn Valley Railway, Bewd- plus, Fri 7 July, Ragley Hall, Warwick- Coventry Indian cinema’, until Sun 2 July, vari- ley shire ous locations throughout Birmingham MACBETH Oddsocks present a Steam- LAVENDER MONTH Learn about the his- REVOLT ATHEN BY ODC ENSEMBLE In- THE STITCHING, SEWING & HOBBYCRAFT torical uses of lavender, then try out Σ punk musical adaptation of Shake- sights into post-crisis Greece. Part of speare’s dramatic story of ambition SHOW Featuring talks and demonstra- some lavender tea and cake in the BE FESTIVAL 2017, Fri 7 July, The turned bad, Sun 9 July, Avoncroft Mu- tions, new product launches and tearoom, Sat 1 - Sun 30 July, REP, Birmingham seum, Bromsgrove plenty of inspiration, until Sun 2 July, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham NEC, Birmingham WHAT DOES STUFF DO? Featuring pour- SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Outdoor stag- EID MELA Fun-filled day celebrating ing, ping-pong and a motivational ing of the Crescent Theatre’s version DINOSAURS IN THE WILD Featuring dra- Eid Mela, with activities including speech delivered by a man in swim- of Jane Austen’s romantic novel, Sat matic storytelling and high-end digital Henna, live bhangra and music, face ming trunks... Part of BE FESTIVAL 8 - Sun 9 July, Blakesley Hall, B’ham graphics and animatronics, until painting, crafts, sports and a bouncy 2017, Fri 7 July, The REP, B’ham Thurs 24 Aug, NEC, Birmingham castle, Sun 2 July, Soho House, THEATRETRAIN GOES BACK TO THE FU- Handsworth, Birmingham MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS PRESENT GOS- TURE Singing, acting & dancing ex- A VERY VIKING VOYAGE The Herbert’s whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List NEW Warwicks/Worcs 1 - 9 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:08 Page 5

July 2017

Friday 7th July Saturday 15th July Saturday 15th July BARRY CRYER & ROBERT WHITE & HACKNEY COLIN SELL RACHEL FAIRBURN COLLIERY BAND STRICTLY COME JOKING COMEDY DOUBLE HEADER AWESOME LIVE BAND

Saturday 22nd July Sunday 23rd July Saturday 29th July ABBA REUNION MORGAN & WEST ROXY MAGIC GREAT MUSIC FROM UTTERLY SPIFFING A NIGHT OF ROXY MUSIC & MAMMA MIA TO DANCING SPECTACULAR MAGIC SHOW BRYAN FERRY QUEEN

COMING SOON: The Big Chris Barber Band, The Night Watch, SongStars Showchoir, Fi Glover, Diamond, Redditch Orchestra, Beyond The Water’s Edge, Outspoken Open Mic, MadCap Theatre, Desperado, Little Howard’s Big Show, NT Live – Angel In America, Marley Experience, Wings Over Abbey Road, Pop, The Demon Barbers, Nicola T as Beyonce...

Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer @artrixarts with up-to-date information about upcoming shows or download our latest brochure @artrix arts centre www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Free parking on-site

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thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 July THE BMC AND LEYLAND SHOW Celebrat- July, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Strat- hidden gems including a Mediter- Upcote Farm, Cheltenham ing the vehicles produced by the ford upon Avon ranean-inspired garden, Sun 9 July, NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL 2017 Line up British Motor Corporation, Sun 2 July, MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS Fri 7 - Sun 9 Selly Manor, Bournville includes Zinc Zebra, Behind The Set- British Motor Museum, Gaydon July, Beckett's Farm, Wythall, B’ham LAZY JAZZ ON THE LAWN Grab your tee, The Occasional Orchestra & The THE FAST CAR FESTIVAL Featuring club GUIDE DOGS FAMILY OPEN DAY & CAR picnic blanket and enjoy a lazy sum- Dylan Rythmn Band, Fri 7 - Sat 8 displays, track action, motorsport leg- BOOT Lots of fun activities, a bouncy mer Sunday of live music and relax- July, Napton on the Hill, Warwickshire ends and supercar displays, Sun 2 castle, slides and dog demonstration, ation on the lawns in front of the FUSE FESTIVAL Line-up includes Born July, Donington Park Racing Circuit, Sat 8 July, Guide Dogs Training Court, Sun 9 July, Witley Court, Great Again Beatles, Pollen, Rge Assist & Derby School, Warwick New Road, Leam- Witley Bud Sugar, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July, Beacon LAZY JAZZ ON THE LAWN Grab your ington Spa Park, Lichfield picnic blanket and enjoy a lazy sum- RUN WHAT YOU BRING Take your car or LINTON FESTIVAL Full Line-up, Billy mer Sunday of live music and relax- motorcycle out on the quarter-mile Walton Band, Band of Friends, Willie ation on the lawns in front of the dragstrip and test its performance Festivals & The Bandits & Hayseed Dixie, Fri 7 Court, Sun 2 July, Witley Court, Great limits, Sat 8 July, Santa Pod Race- - Sun 9 July, The Alma Inn, Ross-on- Witley way, Northampton BARN ON THE FARM FESTIVAL Line-up Wye BLACKWORK WORKSHOP An event in- VINTAGE IN THE PARK A full weekend of includes Tom O’Dell, Lucy Rose & GODIVA FESTIVAL Line-up includes troducing novices to this addictive vintage and handmade things, live Benjamin Francis-Leftwich, until Sun The Darkness, Tom Clarke (The craft and allowing people who’ve had entertainment, dancers and music, 2 July, Over Farm Market, Highnam, Enemy) and The Stranglers Fri 7 - some experience to develop their Sat 8 - Sun 9 July, Lightwoods Park, Gloucester Sun 9 July, War Memorial Park,, skills, Tues 4 July, Avoncroft Mu- Smethwick, Birmingham KINGS HEATH FAKE FESTIVAL Line-up in- Coventry seum, Bromsgrove CARS AND COFFEE BREAKFAST CLUB cludes trinbute bands Oasish, MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL ROLLS ROYCE ENTHUSIASTS CLUB Event Wide and varied display of beautiful Blondied & Green Date, Sat 1 July, Line-up includes Chaka Khan, Soul II catering for anyone with an interest in cars from bygone years, Sat 8 July, Kings Heath Park, Birmingham Soul, Craig Charles & Lee Fields & the motor car products of Rolls- Coventry Transport Museum, Coven- BE FESTIVAL The Expressions, Fri 7 - Sun 9 July, Royce, Thurs 6 July, Coventry Trans- try Featuring a diverse range Moseley Park, Birmingham port Museum, Coventry of contemporay theatre from across BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS Learn WHY FESTIVAL Line up includes reg- Europe, Tues 4 - Sat 8 July, The REP, PRE-PLAY TALK: TITUS ANDRONICUS about the amazing story of the Hip- gae giants Gabbidon (ex Steel Join Lisa Peter, International Lecturer Birmingham podrome, Sat 8 July, Birmingham 2000TREES FESTIVAL Line up includes Pulse), Khaliq, Remi Fox Novak, An- in Shakespeare Studies, for an intro- Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham Slaves, Nothing But Thieves, Pulled gryfish, & Church of Elvis, Sat 8 July, duction to Titus Andronicus, Shake- Apart By Horses, Jamie Lenman & The Crossing, Digbeth, Birmingham speare’s bloodiest tragedy, Thurs 6 NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME Discover Feed The Rhino, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 July,

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thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 July Fri 14 - Sat 15 July, The Glee Club, Classical Birmingham GEOFF BOYZ & DAVID MORGAN Sat 15 July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Music Birmingham JOHN FOTHERGILL, JARLETH REGAN, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Featuring ALEX BOARDMAN & SALLY-ANN HAY- Thomas Nickell (piano) & David Cur- WARD Sat 15 July, The Comedy Loft, tis (conductor). Programme includes Birmingham works by Copland, Gershwin & Dvo- ROBERT WHITE, RACHEL FAIRBURN Sat rak, Tues 11 July, Stratford 15 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Sat 15 CWMBACH MALE CHOIR Sat 15 July, July, mac, Birmingham Malvern Theatre, Malvern

Theatre

BEYOND THE WATER’S EDGE Captivat- ing series of portraits presented through the words of some of the Mary J Blige - O2 Academy, Birmingham world’s best poets, Mon 10 July, Ar- Hounds, Birmingham MARY J. BLIGE Sat 15 trix, Bromsgrove Gigs RED JUMPSUIT APPARA- July, O2 Academy, THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY! Ama- TUS Fri 14 July, O2 In- Birmingham CBSO VIBRANT VOICES Featuring Ula teur production presented by Artrix Youth Theatre, Tues 11 July, Artrix, LEMURIA Mon 10 July, stitute, Birmingham CLAUDE VON STROKE, Weber (conductor), Marc Hall (chil- dren’s chorus conductor), CBSO SO Bromsgrove The Sunflower SAMANTHA WRIGHT MARC SPENCE, TOM Vocal, CBSO Children’s Chorus and Lounge, Birmingham QUINTET Fri 14 July, SHORTERZ Sat 15 July OUR MAN IN HAVANA Stage version of The Rainbow Venues, musicians from the CBSO, Sat 15 Graham Greene’s ‘uproarious farce’, THE JIGANTICS Mon 10 Symphony Hall, Birmingham July, Birmingham Town Hall Tues 11 - Sat 15 July, Malvern The- July, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham atre Birmingham LEATHER & LACE Fri 14 IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC ROCK NIGHT Sat 15 CHARLEY’S AUNT Worcester Reper- MARTIN STEPHENSON July, The Roses The- July, Route 44, tory Company present Brandon Tues 11 July, Kitchen atre, Tewkesbury Birmingham Thomas’ ‘rip-roaring farce’, Tues 11 - Garden Cafe, B’ham LOTTO BOYZZ Fri 14 ULTRA 90'S Sat 15 July, Comedy Sun 23 July, The Commandery, THE BIG Q FISH Tues 11 July, The Slade The River Rooms, Worcester July, The Jam House, Rooms, Wolverhamp- Stourbridge SPENCER JONES & BRENNAN REECE ROMEO & JULIET New production of Birmingham ton Wed 12 July, The Glee Club, B’ham THE STYLE COUNCIL- Shakespeare’s immortal tale of an TRAPT, FALLEN STATE & URBAN INTRO Fri 14 - LORS Sat 15 July, The ADAM HESS & MAT EWINS Wed 12 all-consuming love, Wed 12 July, CONFESSIONS OF A Sat 15 July, The Jam Empire, Coventry July, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre TRAITOR Tues 11 July, House, Birmingham Birmingham SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Outdoor stag- The Flapper, B’ham TEQUILA MOCKINGBYRD THE STEVE GIBBONS BAND, Sat 15 July, Blue JO ENRIGHT, ALLYSON JUNE SMITH, ing of the Crescent Theatre’s version KEVIN DEVINE Wed 12 Fri 14 July, The Flap- Piano Restaurant And KERRY LEIGH & MAUREEN YOUNGER of Jane Austen’s romantic novel, July, The Sunflower per, Birmingham Bar, Birmingham Wed 12 July, Kitchen Garden Cafe, Wed 12 - Thurs 13 July, Selly Manor, Lounge, Birmingham LEILA & CYRIL DUCLOS Birmingham Birmingham CWMBACH MALE CHOIR THE SWINGLES Wed 12 Fri 14 July, The Core BIRMINGHAM ORMISTON ACADEMY Sat 15 July, Malvern ALISTAIR BARRIE, COMEDY CAROUSEL July, Lichfield Garrick, Theatre, Solihull COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE Theatres WITH ANDY ROBINSON & COMIC TBC Bringing Staffordshire WITTERQUICK Fri 14 Thurs 13 July, The Glee Club, together music, dance and acting, IN2MINDS Sat 15 July, DORJA, CHARLES DEX- July, The Asylum, Birmingham Wed 12 - Thurs 13 July, The Old Rep The Marr's Bar, TERWARD, ARAMANTUS, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Worcester FIN TAYLOR & JAYDE ADAMS Thurs 13 KILLER BOB & GENESIS THE SPOOKY MEN'S July, mac, Birmingham 4 PLAYS AND AN INTERVAL An evening ARC Wed 12 July, The CHORALE Fri 14 July, THE AC30'S Sat 15 July, of light-hearted plays presented by Flapper, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall The Roadhouse, the Phoenix Players, Wed 12 - Sat 15 Birmingham VO FLETCHER Wed 12 LEGEND - LEGENDS OF July, The Bear Pit Theatre - The July, Symphony Hall, ROCK Fri 14 July, The HACKNEY COLLIERY United Reformed Church, Stratford- Birmingham River Rooms, BAND Sat 15 July, Ar- upon-Avon trix, Bromsgrove RICKY TIMS Thurs 13 Stourbridge TWELFTH NIGHT Shakespeare’s magi- July, Number 8 Com- ANDREW WEATHERALL ANTI-CLONE Sun 16 cal tale is reimagined in the 1920s, munity Arts Centre, Fri 14 July, Hare & July, The Flapper, with prohibition rife and Europe still Worcestershire Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham reeling in the wake of war, Thurs 13 - Fri 14 July, Wolverhampton Grand B.D. LENZ TRIO Thurs JACEK STACHURSKY FLEETWOOD BAC Fri 14 Theatre 13 July, The Marr's July, Stratford Sun 16 July, O2 Insti- Bar, Worcester Artshouse, Stratford- tute, Birmingham BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Amateur pro- JOSH PUGH & TOM TOAL Fri 14 July, duction performed by Palace Youth DAVE ONIONS Thurs 13 upon-Avon HUE AND CRY Sun 16 Evesham Arts Centre Theatre, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 July, July, Katie Fitzgerald's, July, The Robin, MOTOWN DIVA’S SHOW STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Fri 14 Palace Theatre, Redditch Stourbridge WITH THE DREAMETTES Bilston July, mac, Birmingham TRANSITIONS New play by Lorna TRISTAN & HESTON Fri 14 July Nailcote HANNAH ALDRIDGE Sun ALISTAIR BARRIE, DAN NIGHTINGALE, Hall, Berkswell, 16 July, Kitchen Gar- French which follows the fortunes of Thurs 13 July, Hare & MAUREEN YOUNGER & DAN THOMAS Warwickshire den Cafe, Birmingham a group of students and teachers 60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List NEW Warwicks & Worcs 10 - 16 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:07 Page 2

Monday 10 - Sunday 16 July

from four schools as they battle for survival, Thurs 13 - Tues 18 July, The REP, Birmingham Dance SPENCER Nick Hall brings humour to the story of Spencer Percival, the RHYTHM OF THE DANCE Featuring both only Prime Minister ever to be assas- traditional and current dance styles, sinated... Fri 14 July, Blue Orange Thurs 13 July, Malvern Theatre Theatre, Birmingham U-DANCE Showcase of work by youth MRS OSCAR WILDE The story of the dancers from across the UK, Fri 14 - wife of one of the Victorian era’s most 16 July, Birmingham Hippodrome famous writers, Fri 14 July, The Old NAVADAL Akademi’s national South Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Asian youth dance competition, run PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Join Illyria for a this year in partnership with One social whirlwind of balls, dinners and Dance UK, ISTD and Sampad, Sat 15 very eligible officers, Fri 14 July, Han- July, Birmingham Hippodrome bury Hall, Droitwich Spa AS YOU LIKE IT Madcap Theatre Pro- ductions combine comedy, music, Octonauts Octo-Glow Explorers - Sealife Centre, Birmingham dance, stage combat & physicality with Shakespeare’s original script, Fri Talks 14 - Sat 15 July, Mary Arden’s Farm, Aug, National Sea Life Centre, B’ham Stratford-upon-Avon AN AUDIENCE WITH ANN WIDDECOMBE Events CARTISTS: REIMAGINING THE CAR Four- THE LIFE & DEATH OF MARILYN MONROE Tues 13 July, Stratford Artshouse, teen artists, one challenge… Trans- Breakthrough Theatre explore the life Stratford-upon-Avon SUMMER OUTDOOR LIVING EXHIBITION form a car into a work of art, Sat 15 of one of history’s most iconic Event bringing together leading man- July - Sun 29 Oct, Coventry Transport women, Fri 14 - Sun 16 July, Blue Or- ufacturers of garden products and Museum, Coventry ange Theatre, Birmingham showcasing exciting new develop- SUMMER FAIR Large for-sale selection ments, Tues 11 - Thurs 13 July, NEC, OLD KING COLE Derek Webb’s show of home-made gifts, crafts, toys, Birmingham for children, Fri 14 - Sat 22 July, Hall Film books and bric-a-brac, Sun 16 July, Green Little Theatre, Birmingham LOCAL LEARNING SHOWCASE Find out Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth more about learning opportunities in ROMEO & JULIET Oddsocks breathe BONSAI DEMO Experts demonstrate INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Worcester, Thurs 13 July, The Hive new life into Shakespeare’s classic best care and practice for Bonsai Worcester, Worcester tale by giving it a Mods & Rockers trees, Sun 16 July, Birmingham theme, Sat 15 July, mac, Birmingham NAPOLEON (12a) Biography/Drama. VALUATION DAY WITH BIDDLE AND WEBB Botanical Gardens Starring Albert Dieudonné, Vladimir AUCTION HOUSE Bring your heirlooms JUMPROV 2 - THE SEQUEL Unique com- VICTORIAN DAY Millers make flour in Roudenko. mac, Birmingham, Sat 15 and valuables along to the museum edy sketch show completely made the watermill, plus children’s crafts July for an Antiques Roadshow-style valu- up on the spot and 100% improvised, and outdoor fun and games, Sun 16 ation day, Thurs 13 July, Wednesbury Sat 15 July, The Crescent Theatre, KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD July, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Wednes- Birmingham (12a) Action/Adventure. Starring Char- BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS Unlock the lie Hunnam, Jude Law. The Roses bury ALL THE FLOWERS DYING Three In One secrets of Witley's partying past, Sun Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 15 - Sun 16 BRITISH GRAND PRIX Fri 14 - Sun 16 Productions presents Roger Price’s 16 July, Witley Court, Great Witley July July, Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, play, which explores how love and LAZY JAZZ ON THE LAWN Grab your Northamptonshire hate, peace and violence can exist WONDER WOMAN (12a) Action/Adven- picnic blanket and enjoy a lazy sum- side by side, Sat 15 July, Blue Or- ture. Starring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine. MIDLANDS HOME AND GARDEN SHOW mer Sunday of live music and relax- ange Theatre, Birmingham The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat Featuring nurseries, garden design- ation on the lawns in front of the 15 - Mon 17 July ers, experts in home decor and much THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ELSIE GREY Court, Sun 16 July, Witley Court, more, Fri 14 - Sun 16 July, Ragley One-woman show in which Susan- TUBBY HAYES - A MAN IN A HURRY Great Witley Hall, Ragley, Alcester nah Hallcroft explores the issues that Documentary. Starring Tubby Hayes, cause people with dementia to seem- Martin Freeman. Followed by live DRAGSTALGIA A weekend dedicated to ingly disappear... Sat 15 July, Blue jazz. Royal Spa Centre, Leamington drag racing, hot rods and bikes from Orange Theatre, Birmingham Spa, Sun 16 July a bygone era, Fri 14 - Sun 16 July, Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough ANTONY & CLEOPATRA Presented by Festivals The King’s Troupe, Sat 15 July, The THE KICKBACK MOTORBIKE SHOW & Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon WORKSHOP FAIR Featuring over 50 BROMSGROVE’S FOLK FESTIVAL Line- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: customs, cafe racers and classic mo- LITTLE HOWARD’S BIG SHOW FOR KIDS ́ up includes The Melrose Quartet, torcycles, as well as around 20 sup- Quicksilver and Dan McKinnon, Interactive stand-up with live anima- pliers providing parts, accessories Thurs 13 - Sun 16 July, The Bowling tion on stage. Suitable for all the fam- Released from Tues 11 July, showing and much more, Sat 15 July, The Green, Bromsgrove ily, Sat 15 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove at selected cinemas: Custard Factory, Digbeth BIRMINGHAM FEST Annual showcase SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Outdoor stag- WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (tbc) WOLVERHAMPTON FIESTA The ‘ultimate of new theatrical productions from ing of the Crescent Theatre’s version CARS 3 (U) city show’, Sat 15 - Sun 16 July, West across the UK, Fri 14 - Sun 30 July, of Jane Austen’s romantic novel, Sat THE BEGUILED (15) Park, Wolverhampton Various locations across Birmingham 15 - Sun 16 July, Harvington Hall, Kidderminster THE LAST WORD (15) WIMBLEDON FINALS LIVE STREAM BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL JAZZ & BLUES Game, set, match! Celebrate all FESTIVAL Line up includes Brush with MACBETH Oddsocks fuse laughter THE MIDWIFE (12a) things Wimbledon with live streams the Blues, The Broombusters, C-Jam, and witchcraft in a unique take on TOMMY'S HONOUR (PG) of the finals, Sat 15 - Sun 16 July, Ra- Suzi Woods, Roy Forbes Trio, The Shakespeare’s dramatic story of am- gley Hall, Ragley, Alcester Catfish Kings, Books Williams, The bition turned bad, Sun 16 July, mac, Whiskey Brothers and many more, Birmingham OCTONAUTS OCTO-GLOW EXPLORERS A brand new deep-sea adventure Sat 15 - Sun 23 July, various loca- where you can see the ocean in a tions across Birmingham & Solihull whole new light, Sat 15 July - Sun 13 whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List NEW Warwickshire & Worcs 17 - 22 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 19:53 Page 1

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List NEW Warwickshire & Worcs 17 - 22 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 19:53 Page 2

thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 July Birmingham Classical KEVIN MCCARTHY, TREVOR CROOK & COMIC TBC Sat 22 July, Jongleurs Music Comedy Club, Birmingham LUISA OMIELAN, MICK FERRY, CARL MUSIC SERVICE GALA CONCERTS Mon HUTCHINSON & PETE OTWAY Sat 22 17 - Fri 21 July, Symphony Hall, July, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Birmingham THE OPERA BOYS Fri 21 July, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Theatre

THE SIMON AND GARFUNKEL STORY Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this 50th An- niversary celebration features a full Desperado - Artrix, Bromsgrove live band performing many of the duo’s hits, Mon 17 July, Belgrade House, Birmingham Sat 22 July, The Rain- Theatre, Coventry bow Venues, B’ham Gigs RUST FOR GLORY Fri 21 ROOM ON THE BROOM Tall Stories’ mu- July, Route 44, B’ham THE SABBATH YEARS LEGENDS: SUPERHERO SYMPHONIES sical adaptation of the classic picture GURDAN THOMAS Tues VOICE OF THE HEART - Sat 22 July, The Marr's The People’s Orchestra showcase book by Julia Donaldson and Axel soundtracks from a series of well 18 July, The Tin Music KAREN CARPENTER Fri Bar, Worcester Scheffler, Mon 17 - Wed 19 July, known superhero films including Su- And Arts, Coventry 21 July, Wolverhamp- TUNDE JEGEDE & THE Wolverhampton Grand Theatre perman, Spiderman and Batman, ton Grand Theatre ART ENSEMBLE OF BEEBE KWARTET Tues Sat 22 July, New Alexandra Theatre, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG Fawlty LAGOS Sat 22 July, 18 July, The Jam DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & Birmingham Towers meets Noises Off in this House, Birmingham ADORED Fri 21 July, mac, Birmingham award-winning West End comedy, ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: CLASSICAL The River Rooms, ABI KELSEY BAND Sat Mon 17 - Sat 22 July, Malvern The- GURDAN THOMAS Wed MASTERPIECES Featuring Thomas Stourbridge 22 July, Katie Fitzger- atre 19 July, Kitchen Gar- Nickell (piano) & David Curtis (con- ald's, Birmingham den Cafe, Birmingham ABBA MANIA Fri 21 July, ductor). Programme includes works TAMING OF THE SHREW Heartbreak DUCKING PUNCHES Belgrade Theatre, ABBA REUNION Sat 22 by Haydn, Beethoven & Schubert, Productions present an outdoor Wed 19 July, The River Coventry July, Artrix, Broms- Sat 22 July, Stratford Artshouse, staging of Shakespeare’s unconven- tional love story. Suitable for ages Rooms, Stourbridge BUCK AND EVANS Fri 21 grove Stratford-upon-Avon eight-plus, Tues 18 July, Brueton July, The Asylum, THE WEST COAST EA- TOOTS AND THE MAY- PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA: A CHILD Park, Solihull TALS Wed 19 July, The Birmingham GLES Sat 22 July, The OF OUR TIME Featuring Sarah Fox THE SOUL IN THE MACHINE Saltmine Assembly, Leamington TAKE THAT SHOW WITH Roadhouse, B’ham (soprano), Hilary Summers (alto), Theatre Company present a play ‘for Spa FAKE THAT Fri 21 July, KIOKO Sat 22 July, Andrew Tortise (tenor). Programme anyone who works for a living’, Tues Nailcote Hall, Berk- Hare & Hounds, includes works by Elgar, Britten & HAMILTON LOOMIS Wed 18 July, Swan Theatre, Worcester 19 July, The Jam swell, Warwickshire Birmingham Tippett, Sat 22 July, Worcester THE WIZZ Brit Youth Theatre presents House, Birmingham QUEEN II Sat 22 July Al- A CELEBRATION OF NEIL Cathedral a funky modern version of The Wiz- bany Theatre, DIAMOND Sun 23 July, THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL CHORUS Also MICHAEL WESTON KING ard Of Oz, Tues 18 - Wed 19 July, Coventry The Roses Theatre, featuring Philharmonia Orchestra, Thurs 20 July, Kitchen The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Garden Cafe, B’ham SACRED SOUNDS-SIKH Tewkesbury Geraint Bowen (conductor), David REMEMBER, REMEMBER The Young MUSIC TRADITIONS AND SHAPLA SALIQUE Sun Stout (baritone), James Oxley DANNY GRUFF Thurs 20 REP presents Grace Barrington’s THE FIRST WORLD WAR 23 July, Birmingham (tenor) & Judith Howarth (soprano). July, Ort Cafe, B’ham play, which recounts three different Sat 22 July, Birming- Town Hall Programme comprises JOEY LANDRETH Thurs versions of the same event, Tues 18 ham Town Hall Mendelssohn’s St Paul, Sun 23 July, 20 July, Hare & THE PAUL JOHNSON Worcester Cathedral - Thurs 20 July, The REP, B’ham CHORUSGIRL Sat 22 JAZZ CAFE Sun 23 July, Hounds, Birmingham JANE EYRE Chapterhouse Theatre July, The Tin Music The Roses Theatre, MILLION DOLLAR PIANO Company present an outdoor stag- And Arts, Coventry Tewkesbury Thurs 20 July, Bel- ing of Charlotte Bronte’s classic grade Theatre, ESSENTIAL 80’S Sat 22 AMYTHYST KIAH PLUS novel, Wed 19 July, Birmingham Coventry July, The River Rooms, AMIT DATTANI Sun 23 Comedy Botanical Gardens Stourbridge July, Kitchen Garden TOPLOADER Thurs 20 THE SCARECROW’S WEDDING Family Cafe, Birmingham July, The Jam House, DARKZY, USSY, DJ CHEF TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 17 show based on the book by Julia Birmingham July, The Blue Orange Theatre, Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, Wed 19 DESPERADO Fri 21 July, Birmingham Sat 22 July, Malvern Theatre Artrix, Bromsgrove LUCY PORTER & RHYS JAMES Wed 19 THE COURSE OF TRUE LOVE SE Theatre SUMMER TERRACE SES- July, The Glee Club, Birmingham Company present a reinterpretation SIONS Fri 21 July, The JARRED CHRISTMAS & COMEDY of some of William Shakespeare's Rainbow Venues, CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON best scenes, woven together to cre- Birmingham Thurs 20 July, The Glee Club, B’ham ate a new story about two young lovers, Wed 19 - Sat 22 July, The LUISA OMIELAN & PHIL NICHOL Thurs PUNJABTRONIX Fri 21 Attic Theatre, Coventry July, mac, Birmingham 20 July, mac, Birmingham REQUIEM FOR GROUND ZERO Stage2 MARCUS BIRDMAN & DAVE CHAWNER MOTORHEADACHE Fri 21 present an amateur staging of Fri 21 July, Evesham Arts Centre July, The Marr's Bar, Steven Berkoff’s acclaimed eulogy Worcester JARRED CHRISTMAS, OWEN O'NEILL, to the thousands of victims of 9/11, SOLID SOUL Fri 21 - Sat KATE LUCAS & STEVE SHANYASKI Fri Wed 19 - Sat 22 July, The Crescent 22 July, The Jam Toploader - The Jam House, Birmingham 21 - Sat 22 July, The Glee Club, Theatre, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List NEW Warwickshire & Worcs 17 - 22 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 19:53 Page 3

thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 July P.A.T.S Yellow Collective present a PETER PAN JNR XcelShowbiz presents THE JUNGLE BOOK ‘Spectacular’ street try movement-based piece which con- its version of the popular Disney mu- dance and ‘breathtaking’ circus com- ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE SUMMER FAIR tains elements of performance art sical, Sat 22 July, The Old Rep, Birm- bine to bring Kipling’s classic tale Enjoy loved styles and treasures and combines texts in Spanish & En- ingham crashing into the 21st century, Wed while learning about their origins from glish, Thurs 20 July, The Blue Orange MORGAN & WEST'S UTTERLY SPIFFING 19 - 22 July, Birmingham Hippo- the enthusiastic experts, Thurs 20 - Theatre, Birmingham SPECTACULAR MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS drome Sun 23 July, NEC, Birmingham HOW TIME FLIES Handmade Theatre AND CHILDISH GROWN UPS Morgan & CULTURALLY SENSITIVE MEMORY CAFE presents an original and quirky show West mix brain-busting illusion and The cafe supports individuals with inspired by the intriguing world of ar- good old-fashioned tom-foolery, Sun early to moderate dementia. Suitable chaeology, Thurs 20 July, mac, Birm- 23 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove for anyone living with dementia or ingham HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL JNR Amateur Film memory-related concerns and their AS YOU LIKE IT Madcap Theatre Pro- staging presented by Pauline Quirk caregivers, family and/or friends, Fri ductions combine comedy, music, Academy Solihull, Sun 23 July, The INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: 21 July, Soho House, Handsworth, dance, stage combat and physicality Core, Solihull Birmingham with Shakespeare’s original script, THE TEMPEST Presented by Mate Pro- SILK PAINTING COURSE Workshop ex- Thurs 20 July, St Andrew’s Church, ductions, Sun 23 July, The Dell, Strat- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (PG) ploring how unusual and often Droitwich Spa, Worcester ford-upon-Avon Family/Fantasy. Starring Emma Wat- startling effects can be achieved FORBIDDEN NIGHTS Circus acts with a son, Dan Stevens. Stourbridge Town when painting and dyeing silk, Sat 22 BLUE REMEMBERED HILLS Adaptation Hall, Mon 17 July twist from the Britain’s Got Talent of the Dennis Potter tale about seven July, Selly Manor, Bournville, B’ham contestants, Thurs 20 July, Palace English children on a summer’s after- MOONLIGHT (15) Drama. Starring Ma- THE THRILLING THIRTIES Experience Theatre, Redditch noon during World War Two, Sun 23 hershala Ali, Shariff Earp. Artrix, the sights and sounds of Kenilworth A JOURNEY THROUGH WAR On The July, Artrix, Bromsgrove Bromsgrove, Mon 17 - Tues 18 July in the interwar years, Sat 22 - Sun 23 Floor Theatre Company explore life in ROMEO & JULIET Oddsocks breathe THE HIPPOPOTAMUS (15) Comedy. July, Kenilworth Castle, Kenilworth the trenches and the wartime role of new life into Shakespeare’s classic Starring Matthew Modine, Russell WARS OF THE ROSES LIVE The War of women, Thurs 20 - Fri 21 July, Selly tale by giving it a Mods & Rockers Tovey. The Roses Theatre, Tewkes- the Roses unfolds in an epic live-ac- Manor, Birmingham theme, Sun 23 July, Whitbourne Hall, bury, Mon 17 - Thurs 20 July tion show, Sat 22 July - Sun 3 Sept, BONNIE & CLYDE The sounds of blues, Worcester GIFTED (12a) Drama. Starring Chris Warwick Castle gospel, bluegrass, country and rock- DNA Stages School of Acting present Evans, Mckenna Grace. The Roses LAZY JAZZ ON THE LAWN Grab your abilly provide the backdrop for this an amateur version of Dennis Kelly’s Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues 18 - Mon picnic blanket and enjoy a lazy sum- ‘gripping and sexy’ production, which teenage drama, Sun 23 July, Artrix, 24 July mer Sunday of live music and relax- charts the journey of America’s most Bromsgrove AFTER THE STORM (PG) Drama. Star- ation on the lawns in front of the renowned folk heroes, Thurs 20 - Sat AS YOU LIKE IT Presented by the Cro- ring Abe Hiroshi, Maki Yoko. Foreign Court, Sun 23 July, Witley Court, 29 July, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, language, English subtitles. The Great Witley Birmingham predy Harlequins, Sun 23 July, The Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 19 FRANKENSTEIN: MAN OR MONSTER Mad July Tom Theatre presents a gothic com- ROLE PLAY Taking Chances present a new comedy about a couple who BOTTICELLI INFERNO (12a) Documen- edy featuring madness, a monster tary. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 19 July and a teddy bear... Fri 21 July, Blue think they may have a ‘seven-year HIDDEN FIGURES (12a) Festivals Orange Theatre, Birmingham itch’, Sun 23 - Tues 25 July, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham Biography/Drama. Starring Taraji P. COMEDY OF ERRORS All-male theatre Henson, Octavia Spencer. Artrix, DEERSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL Line-up group The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Bromsgrove, Fri 21 July includes Doggen All Star Band, present an outdoor staging of Shake- DESPICABLE ME 3 (tbc) Animation/Ac- K.O.G & the Zongo Brigade, Trans- speare’s farce, Fri 21 July, Coughton tion. With the voices of Steve Carell, global Underground, Inner Terrestials Court, Warwickshire Dance Kristen Wiig. The Roses Theatre, & Devils Prefects, Fri 21 - Sun 23 THE MARRIAGE OF KIM Ambitious Tewkesbury, Fri 21 - Thurs 27 July July, Newton Cross Country Course, retelling of Mozart’s Marriage Of Fi- Nottingham BOOK OF HENRY (tbc) Drama/Thriller. garo in which comparisons are made XPOSE A showcase to celebrate Year Starring Naomi Watts, Jacob Trem- NOZSTOCK Line-up includes Seasick with Kim Kardashian’s marriage to 12 Dance students’ achievements at blay. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Steve, Happy Mondays, General NBA star Kris Humphries, Fri 21 - Sat Birmingham Ormiston Academy, Fri 21 - Thurs 27 July Levy, Ocean Wisdom, Mungo’s Hi-Fi 22 July, The Blue Orange Theatre, Tues 18 - Wed 19 July, The Old Rep, & Beans on Toast, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Birmingham Birmingham July, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard ANNIE Brit Youth Theatre presents its THE RED SHOES Matthew Bourne’s ac- BUG JAM FESTIVAL Line-up includes version of the much-loved family mu- claimed production returns to the NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Reverend and The Makers, sical, Fri 21 - Sat 22 July, The Cres- Midlands, Wed 19 - Sat 22 July Released from Fri 21 July, showing at Wham!Duran & South Church, Fri 21 cent Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome selected cinemas: - Sun 23 July, Santa Pod Raceway, DES O'CONNOR & JIMMY TARBUCK LIVE Northamptonshire CITY OF GHOSTS (tbc) Sat 22 July, Wolverhampton Grand L FEST Music, arts & comedy festival Theatre DUNKIRK (12a) featuring Sian Evans, Fri 21 - Mon 24 THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ Ama- MONSTER ISLAND (tbc) July, Prestwold Hall, Loughborough teur staging by All Round Theatre SCRIBE (tbc) BURTONFEST 2017 Line-up includes School & Senior Youth Theatre, Sat THE MIDWIFE (12a) Union J and X Factor 2016 winner 22 July, Palace Theatre, Redditch Matt Terry, Sat 22 July, National Brew- A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Pre- ery Centre, Burton-on-Trent sented by The Collective, Sat 22 July, SPLENDOUR FESTIVAL Line-up in- The Dell, Stratford-upon-Avon cludes Kaiser Chiefs, Tony Hadley, A JOURNEY THROUGH WAR On The Events Billy Ocean, Busted, Gabrielle Aplin, Floor Theatre Company explore life in British Sea Power, Georgia & Black the trenches and the wartime role of Grape and many more, Sat 22 July, RETRO GAMES NIGHT Big Comfy Book women, Sat 22 July, The Blue Orange Wollaton Park, Nottingham Shop’s monthly retro game night, Theatre, Birmingham Thurs 20 July, Fargo Village, Coven-

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thelist Monday 24 - Monday 31 July CARMEN LYNCH, JAMES DOWDESWELL Gigs Classical & COMIC TBC Fri 28 - Sat 29 July, The Glee Club, Birmingham INDIGO GIRLS Mon 24 Music ROBERT WHITE, JAVIER JARQUIN & July, Birmingham JASON PATTERSON Fri 28 - Sat 29 Town Hall July, Jongleurs Comedy Club, Birm- SAINT-SAËNS ORGAN SYMPHONY Per- ingham CHUCK PROPHET & THE formed by Philharmonia Orchestra MISSION EXPRESS Tues with Wayne Marshall (organ) & GAVIN WEBSTER, ANDY ROBINSON, 25 July, Hare & Jérémie Rhorer (conductor). Pro- HELEN BAUER & KEVIN GILDEA Sat 29 Hounds, Birmingham gramme includes works by Lloyd July, The Comedy Loft, B’ham THE CISSY STONE BAND Webber, Poulenc, & Saint-Saëns, Wed 26 July, The Jam Mon 24 July, Worcester Cathedral House, Birmingham MUSICAL & AMICABLE SOCIETY: LATE CHARLOTTE BERG Wed NIGHT BRANDENBURG Programme in- 26 July, Hare & cludes works by Vivaldi & J.S Bach, Theatre Hounds, Birmingham Mon 24 July, St Helen’s Church, Worcester PERSUASION Chamber Opera Tours THREADED PLUS JACK present a new musical drama based COOKSON Wed 26 July, THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS Featuring Celine Dion- Barclaycard Arena on Jane Austen’s classic story, Mon Kitchen Garden Cafe, Roderick Williams (baritone), David 24 July, Stratford Artshouse, Strat- Birmingham BARGHOUTI, MOHAMED 60S Sat 29 July, The Butt Philip (tenor) & Susan Bickley ford-upon-Avon NAJEM & FRIENDS Fri Core Theatre, Solihull (mezzo-soprano), Tues 25 July, CELINE DION Thurs 27 28 July, Birmingham Worcester Cathedral DERREN BROWN: UNDERGROUND Lat- July, Barclaycard THE BORGIAS, LYCIO, Town Hall est stage show from the award-win- Arena, Birmingham FLO & ODMANSBOX Sat ORGAN RECITAL WITH HERMAN JOR- ning master of psychological KEITH EMERSON A MUSI- 29 July, The Sunflower DAAN Programme includes works by JAKE MITCHELL Thurs illusion, Mon 24 - Wed 26 July, New CAL CELEBRATION OF Lounge, Birmingham Froberger, Sweenlinck, Byrd, J.S 27 July, O2 Academy, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham LIFE Fri 28 July, Sym- Bach, Kerckhoven, Purcell, Litaize & Birmingham THE STONE CUTTERS ROOM ON THE BROOM Tall Stories’ mu- phony Hall, B’ham Sat 29 July, The Marr's Russell, Tues 25 July, St Swithun’s THE KUT Thurs 27 July, sical adaptation of the classic picture TEDDY MATHEWS BAND Bar, Worcester Church, Worcester Hare & Hounds, book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Fri 28 July, Katie THREE CHOIRS FESTIVAL CHORUS & Birmingham THE BLUETONES Sat 29 Scheffler, Mon 24 - Wed 26 July, Bel- Fitzgerald's, Stour- July, O2 Institute, PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA Featuring MILK TEETH Thurs 27 grade Theatre, Coventry bridge Birmingham Frank Beermann (conductor), Na- July, The Flapper, FUNNY GIRL Natasha J Barnes stars THE SEX PISTOLS EXPE- talya Romaniw (soprano), Claudia Birmingham THIS ELEGANT CHAOS, Huckle (contralto) & Daniel Norman as Fanny Brice in this touring pro- RIENCE Fri 28 July, The MALLEN & ANGELS & JOE MCELDERRY - SAT- (tenor). Programme includes works duction of the critically acclaimed Roadhouse, B’ham IDOLS Sat 29 July, URDAY NIGHT AT THE by Strauss, Torsten Rasch & West End musical, Mon 24 - Sat 29 KILLERSTREAM Fri 28 Route 44, Birmingham MOVIES LIVE! Thurs 27 Janá ek, Wed 26 July, Worcester July, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre July, Drummonds Bar, July, New Alexandra SAX IN THE CITY: THE Cathedralč SHIRLEY VALENTINE Jodie Prenger Worcester Theatre, Birmingham NOTEBENDERS Sat 29 CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA ACADEMY stars in Willy Russell's classic play, MILLICENT STEPHENSON July, Symphony Hall, SARAH MCQUAID Thurs Featuring Michael Seal (conductor) Mon 24 - Sat 29 July, Malvern The- WITH LIVE BAND Fri 28 Birmingham 27 July, Evesham Arts and Michael Petrov (cello). Pro- atre July, Crescent Theatre, Centre TOROUS Sat 29 July, gramme includes works by Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham Shostakovich, Barber and Stravin- UFO Thurs 27 July, AN EVENING WITH BEV- sky, Sun 30 July, Birmingham Town Birmingham Town Hall ROXY MAGIC Sat 29 ERLEY VEGAS: FROM July, Artrix, Broms- Hall ESTHER Thurs 27 July, BOOZER TO CRUISER Fri grove Katie Fitzgerald's, 28 July, Crescent The- Stourbridge atre, Birmingham NIRVANA UK Sat 29 July, The Roadhouse, DEL CAMINO Thurs 27 - ULTIMATE 40 - UB40 Birmingham Fri 28 July, The Jam TRIBUTE Fri 28 July, Comedy House, Birmingham The River Rooms, LIONIZE Sun 30 July, The Flapper, B’ham THE VIOLENT HEARTS, Stourbridge JOHN ROBINS Wed 26 July The DISJOY & BARE PALE Fri MR BEN Fri 28 - Sat 29 ENERGY + MISS VIN- Glee Club, Birmingham , 28 July, The Sunflower CENT Mon 31 July, The MURDER ON THE TERRACE Test your July, The Jam House, CARMEN LYNCH & COMEDY CAROUSEL Lounge, Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, sleuthing skills in Heartbreak Pro- Birmingham WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 27 July, Birmingham ductions’ outdoor whodunnit, Tues PALESTINE JAZZ: NAI BRINGING ON BACK THE The Glee Club, Birmingham 25 July, Hill Close Gardens, Warwick GEOFF NORCOTT & CARL DONNELLY BILLIONAIRE BOY Heartbreak Produc- Thurs 27 July, mac, Birmingham tions present David Walliams’ tale of love, loss and friendship, Tues 25 - Wed 26 July, Brueton Park, Solihull CHARLEY’S AUNT Worcester Reper- tory Company present Brandon Thomas’ ‘rip-roaring farce’, Tues 25 - Sat 29 July, Hereford Cathedral VENUS AND ADONIS Artistic Director Gregory Doran revives his unique version of Shakespeare’s kaleido- scopic poem, Wed 26 July - Fri 4 Aug, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- upon-Avon The Bluetones- O2 Institute, Birmingham MISS SAIGON Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Boublil whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List NEW Warwicks / Worcs 24 - 31 July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 15:04 Page 2

Monday 24 - Monday 31 July

& Schönberg’s legendary musical, dens, Nr Bewdley, Worcester Wed 26 July - Sat 23 Sept, Birming- WONDERLAND Wendi Peters, Dave ham Hippodrome Willetts & Kerry Ellis star in Frank THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS An outdoor Wildhorn’s musical adaptation of staging of the classic riverbank ad- Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In venture featuring Ratty, Mole, Badger Wonderland and Through The Look- and Mr Toad, Thurs 27 July, Birming- ing Glass, Mon 31 July - Sat 5 Aug, ham Botanical Gardens Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ABOUT A GOTH Gritty Theatre present a rude and raucous comedy about the trials and tribulations of being a 17-year-old gay Goth in the 21st cen- tury, Thurs 27 July, The Crescent Dance Theatre, Birmingham CURIOUS CREATURES Squash Box The- H.O.M.E Translucent Dance Company atre fuse puppetry, slapstick, live present a ‘dynamic and thought-pro- music and lots of amazing natural- voking’ evening of dance, Sun 30 history facts to uncover the mysteries July, Artrix, Bromsgrove Translucent Dance Company H.O.M.E - Artrix, Bromsgrove of the animal kingdom, Thurs 27 July, Worcester mac, Birmingham Events CLASSIC VEHICLE DAY Classic vehicles WOLFIE AND THE SHOWGIRL New musi- from yesteryear, on display at sta- cal by Carolyn Scott-Jeffs - a story of HANDS-ON HISTORY: MEDIEVAL The tions along the line, Sun 30 July, Sev- love, crime and killings, Fri 28 July, Film Hands On History Crew bring the ern Valley Railway, Bewdley, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham past to life, Mon 24 - Sun 30 July, Ke- Worcestershire THE CURTAIN CALLS Students of World INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: nilworth Castle, Kenilworth MEDIEVAL OPEN DAY See knights do Of Hands Theatre, a summer school IMPROVING YOUR IMAGES Receive battle on the ruins, learn about the for British Sign Language users, step-by-step guidance on how to edit medieval history of the castle and showcase their talents, Fri 28 July, HIDDEN FIGURES (12a) and organise images of your artwork take part in craft activities, Sun 30 mac, Birmingham Biography/Drama. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer. Artrix, using a range of imaging tools, Wed July, Weoley Castle Ruins, B’ham AS YOU LIKE IT Madcap Theatre Pro- Bromsgrove, Mon 24 - Wed 28, Mon 26 July, Royal Birmingham Society Of LAZY JAZZ ON THE LAWN Grab your ductions combine comedy, music, 31 July Artists, Birmingham picnic blanket and enjoy a lazy sum- dance, stage combat and physicality PAW PATROL Come and see Marshall mer Sunday of live music and relax- with Shakespeare’s original script, Fri HAMPSTEAD (12a) Drama. Starring & Chase at intervals throughout the ation on the lawns in front of the 28 July, Artrix, Bromsgrove Diane Keaton, Brendan Gleeson. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 24 - day. Perfect for little ones, Wed 26 Court, Sun 30 July, Witley Court, THE CHILD WHO SAID NO Spoken-word Fri 28 July July - Wed 30 Aug, Birmingham Great Witley theatrical play about recovery. Written Botanical Gardens AWESOME ARCHAEOLOGY Meet intrepid by and starring Goddesse Education CARS 3 (tbc) Animation/Adventure. LET'S MAKE ROBOTS WORKSHOP adventurers and see artefacts gath- campaigner Alice Smith, Fri 28 - Sat With the voices of Owen Wilson, Hands-on workshop explaining how ered from digs around the world, 29 July, The Blue Orange Theatre, Armie Hammer. The Roses Theatre, to assemble a robot with pens for Mon 31 July - Fri 4 Aug, Kenilworth Birmingham Tewkesbury, Fri 28 - Mon 31 July legs that will draw for you, Fri 28 July Castle, Kenilworth BABY DRIVER (15) Action/Crime. Star- WIND IN THE WILLOWS An outdoor - Fri 1 Sept, Birmingham Museum ring Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey. The staging of the classic river bank ad- And Art Gallery venture featuring Ratty, Mole, Badger Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 28 - BEAR-ILLIANT NEW 5K Attendees are and Mr Toad, Sat 29 July, Packwood Mon 31 July encouraged to get sponsored to House, Solihull JURASSIC PARK (12a) Adventure/Sci-Fi. stroll through Sutton’s beautiful park- Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern. Mock- Festivals ROMEO & JULIET Oddsocks breathe land, before enjoying the event’s ingbird Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 30 new life into Shakespeare’s classic dedicated Activity Zone, Sat 29 July, July WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- tale by giving it a Mods & Rockers Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park, Sutton cludes Oysterband, Spooky Men’s theme, Sat 29 July, Mary Arden’s A MAN CALLED OVE (15) Coldfield Chorale, Andy Kershaw & Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon Comedy/Drama. Starring Rolf Lass- EXPERIMENTS IN VIRTUAL REALITY Join Gaêlica,Thurs 27 - Sun 30 July, War- gård, Bahar Pars. Foreign language, IN THE MIDST Play based around the James Alliban, designer, programmer wick School, Warwick English subtitles. The Roses Theatre, Burt family and its secrets, Sat 29 and visual artist, for a ‘fun, interactive Tewkesbury, Mon 31 July BAREFOOT FESTIVAL Line-up includes July, The Crescent Theatre, B’ham and sensory treat’, Sat 29 July, Birm- The Brandy Thieves, GoldWater, The THE OVER COAT Enact Academy pre- ingham Museum And Art Gallery River Chickens & The Tom Browne sent a new work of youth theatre FLOATING PATTERN Stitched textile Band, Fri 28 - Sun 30 July, Prestwold adapted from Nikoli Gogol’s classic, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: workshop exploring the manipulation Hall, Loughborough Sat 29 July, The Blue Orange The- of fabric and paper elements in a free BIRCHFIELD JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up in- atre, Birmingham and relaxed way to produce a per- cludes Milton Godfrey, Kate Lux- CIRCUS DAY: TAKING FLIGHT RoguePlay Released from Wed 5 July, showing sonal pattern-based piece of work, moore, Handsworth Community present a family-friendly piece of at selected cinemas: Sat 29 July, Royal Birmingham Soci- Choir and African Roots Fusion Band, aerial theatre created for visually im- SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (12a) ety Of Artists, Birmingham Fri 28 - Sun 30 July, St Mary's paired audiences, Sun 30 July, mac, A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER (PG) FREE DAY AT THE MUSEUM OF THE JEW- Church, Birmingham Birmingham IT COMES AT NIGHT (15) ELLERY QUARTER Explore this extraor- MADE FESTIVAL Line-up includes A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Pre- dinary time capsule on a lively Chase & Status, Giggs, Gorgon City, THE LAST WORD (15) sented by GYP, Sun 30 July, The Dell, guided tour, Sat 29 July, Museum of Sub Focus, & Affect, Sat 29 July, The Stratford-upon-Avon THE MIDWIFE (12a) the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Rainbow Venues, Digbeth, B’ham AS YOU LIKE IT Madcap Theatre Pro- DUNSTALL CASTLE OPEN DAY Climb the SHARDFEST Line-up includes Lucy ductions combine comedy, music, steep staircase to the top of the tower Spraggan, 5 After Midnight, DJ Luck dance, stage combat and physicality to get views across the estate to the & MC Neat, Sat 29 - Sun 30 July, Nor- with Shakespeare’s original script, Rotunda and surrounding country- man Chamberlain Playing Fields, Sun 30 July, Arley Arboretum & Gar- side, Sun 30 July, Croome Park, Birmingham 66 whatsonlive.co.uk MAC F/P July.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 14:47 Page 1 BE Festival F/P June 2017.qxp_Layout 1 26/06/2017 11:44 Page 1