Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover

Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover September 2018 .qxp_Wolverhampton & Black Country Cover 20/08/2018 11:37 Page 1

AWFUL AUNTIE COMES Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands TO WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON SEPTEMBER 2018

Wolverhampton & Black Country ISSUE 393 SEPTEMBER 2018 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On wolverhamptonwhatson.co.uk

inside:

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

MK ULTRA Rosie Kay’s acclaimed production at Forest Arts... TWITTER:@WHATSONWOLVES

MILKSHAKE! LIVE singing, dancing and family fun at Wolverhampton Grand AEOK @WHATSONWOLVERHAMPTONFACEBOOK:

COLOURS GALORE! rainbow exhibition at

WOLVERHAMPTONWHATSON.CO.UK Glasshouse Arts Centre (IFC) Wolverhampton.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 15:13 Page 1

Wednesday 26th September at 8.00pm Friday 28th September at 7.30pm and Wednesday 3rd October at 7.30pm Saturday 29th at 1pm & 7.30pm

DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA HIJINX THEATRE ARENA THEATRE PRODUCTIONS FUEL THEATRE THE FLOP KUKUNOR / KALAHARI SUMMIT

Tickets £12, £10 conc. Tickets £12, £10 conc. £7 mat. Tickets £12, £10 conc. Contents September Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:47 Page 2

September 2018

Contents

Bollywood in the Potteries - Taj Express comes to the Regent Theatre... feature on page 8

Craig Charles Awful Auntie Coracle Champions the list

brings his popular Funk & Soul David Walliams’ much-loved major event makes a welcome Your 16-page Club to The Buttermarket tale, on stage at the Grand... return on the River Severn week-by-week listings guide page 15 page 29 page 49 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 15. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 39. Film 42. Visual Arts 45. Events

@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Wolverhampton What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire 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 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 MEDIA GROUP Lauren Cole [email protected] 01743 281706 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Jack Rolfe, Elly Yates-Roberts, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee 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 Wolverhampton September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 12:52 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

There ain’t nothing like A Black Country Night Out! This year’s A Black Country Night Out touring show will feature a new cast member - comedian Wayne Beese. Wayne joins the ensemble as a replacement for longtime contributor Ian ‘Sludge’ Lees, who recently passed away following a short illness. Wayne (pictured below) is joined in the line-up by husband-and-wife comedy duo Dandy, comedian Ollie Spencer, resident band The Empty Can (pictured left) and the ukele-playing Joe Thomas. The show is touring to venues across the Midlands. See page 56 for Midlands dates...

Gorge on comedy at National Theatre show set album and music video, as well as benefit- ting from extensive media promotion. Ironbridge’s Enginuity to visit Wolverhampton For more information, visit openmicuk.co.uk Ironbridge Gorge Museum is this month hosting its first ever comedy night, with former Time Out Comedian of the Year Paul Tonkin- BP Portrait Award returns son headlining the event (Enginuity, Friday 7 to Wolverhampton gallery September). Paul will be joined by compere Tony Meresse The prestigious BP Portrait Award is return- and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Jonny ing to Wolverhampton Art Gallery next Awsum (pictured). For further details, call month (Saturday 13 October). 01952 433 424 or visit ironbridge.org.uk Now in its 39th year, the free-to-view exhibition showcases outstanding and innovative new portraits from around the world. Visit wolverhampton.gov.uk for more information. The National Theatre’s (NT) Macbeth will tour to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next spring. Helmed by NT Artistic Director Rufus Norris and designed by War Horse’s Rae Smith, the production propels Shakespeare’s classic tragedy into a post-apocalyptic world of anar- chy and uncertainty. Michael Nardon and Kirsty Besterman (both pictured, above) star. Macbeth runs at the Grand from 12 to 16 Seventy years and still March. To book tickets, ring 01902 42 92 12 or galloping along... visit grandtheatre.co.uk. The Horse Of The Year Show will next month be celebrating its 70th anniversary at Birm- Open Mic auditions ingham’s NEC (Wednesday 3 to Sunday 7 Oc- Open Mic UK, the country’s premier music tober). competition for unsigned acts, is this month A firm favourite on the showjumping calen- holding auditions at Birmingham’s NEC (Sat- dar, the five-day event hosts a range of na- urday 22 September). Singers, songwriters, tional and international showjumping rappers and vocal groups of all ages are en- classes, and will this year also be presenting couraged to enter, and can do so by register- four entertainment displays for visitors to ing at Open Mic UK for £5. The competition enjoy. For more information, visit hoys.co.uk winner will get the chance to record a debut

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First Word

John Partridge to star in Edgar Wallace thriller One-time EastEnders favourite John Partridge is next month starring in a spine-chilling murder-mystery at the Lich- field Garrick Theatre. Partridge, who played the character of Christian Clarke in the long-running BBC TV series, will take the role of In- spector Tanner in the Classic Thriller Company’s production of Edgar Wallace’s The Case Of The Frightened Lady. The show runs at the Garrick from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 October. To book tickets, call 01543 412121 or visit lich- Day Of The Dead returns to Shrewsbury’s Buttermarket fieldgarrick.com Mexico’s legendary Day Of The Dead event is coming to Shrewsbury’s Buttermarket venue. The famous festival, which sees the deceased being prayed for by their family and friends, is well known for its colourful, celebratory tone - and Shrewsbury’s version certainly intends to follow suit. Contributors to the event include live percussionists and a host of international DJs, with huge con- fetti blasts, candy skull face-painting, stage flames and fire breathing shows also featuring. Day Of The Dead takes place at The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, on Friday 2 November. For more information, visit thebuttermarket.co.uk

Tyler Moon to Atlantic Ladies sail into Shrewsbury charm Telford A play telling the ‘oar-some’ story of three Shropshire women who made a record-breaking row across the Atlantic ocean is showing in Shrewsbury late this month. Local playwright Chris Eldon Lee’s Staffs venue full Atlantic Ladies follows the extraordinary voyage of daredevil three- of enchantment some Sharon, Di and Elaine, whose 60-day adventure on the high Weston Park is this Christmas seas finally came to an end when they made landfall in the inviting visitors to enter ‘a Caribbean. The production shows at the town’s Wightman Theatre magical winter wonderland of from 26 to 29 September; Market Drayton Festival Centre, 4 October illumination’ (Friday 14 - Sat- and Sir John Bayley Club, Wellington, Fri 5 October. urday 22 December). Set within the grounds of the Former EastEnders actor celebrated estate, located on Tony Discipline will star as Ironbridge venue to host silent disco the Shropshire/Staffordshire Prince Charming in Oaken- Popular Ironbridge Gorge visitor attraction Enginuity is set to host its border, Enchanted Weston gates Theatre@The Place’s first ever silent disco next month. will transform the Capability pantomime production of Featuring in a series of nighttime events called Ironbridge Lates, the Brown pleasure ground of Cinderella this Christmas. disco takes place on 5 October and is suitable for people aged 18 and Temple Wood into a magical Tony, who played the char- older. For more information, visit ironbridge.org.uk after-dark illuminated trail. acter of Tyler Moon in the For further information, visit long-running BBC TV se- weston-park.com. ries, will be joined in pan- Two long-lost Hancocks in Stourbridge toland by pop singer Lolly Two long-lost 1950s radio scripts written for Midlands-born comedy and Joe Chambers, best legend Tony Hancock are set to be performed this month. known from popular Cbee- The scripts from the series Vacant Lot focus on life in the fictional bies show The Rhyme seaside town of Churdley Bay, where the blundering and pompous Rocket. Hancock is hoping to better his situation. For further information, The scripts will be performed at Stourbridge Town Hall on visit theplacetelford.com Wednesday 19 September. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Wolverhampton September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 12:52 Page 3

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New campaign aims to promote the lives and contributions of older members of the LGBT community A Midlands charity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen- der people (LGBT) has launched a campaign aimed at pro- moting the lives and lived experiences of older LGBTs. Birmingham LGBT’s Ageing With Pride initiative will high- light the positive contributions made by gay and trans people over the age of 50 who are living or have lived in the city. Commenting on the importance of the campaign, the charity’s Director, Steph Keeble, said: “I’m really excited that we’re able to deliver Ageing With Pride. The aim is for it to be highly visible, addressing the issues that older LGBT people face but also celebrating the lives and achievements of our LGBT elders, many of whom fought discrimination and campaigned for the achievements in human rights we all now share.” For further information, visit blgbt.org

Martin spins the Channel Four on the lookout for people A celebration of hits in Shropshire interested in ‘embracing drag’ later-life creativity Channel Four is currently on in Staffordshire the lookout for three people from the Dudley area of the Black Country to take part in a new show celebrating the art of drag. The series will focus on indi- viduals who’re interested in embracing the artform, whether that be in order to explore their sexuality or maybe Spandau Ballet and former as a way of boosting their con- EastEnders star Martin Kemp fidence. For further informa- turns DJ later this year when he tion, visit summerfilms.co.uk Staffordshire’s fifth Live Age visits Shrewsbury’s Buttermar- Festival takes place in the ket venue. Potteries this month. The 56-year-old heartthrob will Celebrating continued cre- be heading behind the decks to Cosford museum shares inspirational ativity in later life, the event spin all his favourite hits from RAF stories in a new series of talks showcases the work and tal- the 1980s on Friday 7 Decem- The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford this month launches a series of ents of older people, arts or- ber. talks about inspirational members of the RAF personnel who’ve ganisations and practitioners Commenting on the event, The played an important role in shaping the service during its first 100 from across North Stafford- Buttermarket’s Grant Lees said: years. The first talk (6 September) focuses on Michelle Partington, who shire. “Obviously Martin is a huge was operationally deployed as the This year’s highlights in- name from the '80s as part of first female paramedic with the clude a fine art workshop Spandau Ballet, a group that RAF Regiment. Michelle also went and a poetry reading by had so many well-known hits, on various tours as part of the Med- Simon Armitage (pictured). so we’re delighted that he’ll be ical Emergency Response Team, The festival takes place at the visiting Shrewsbury for one big providing lifesaving care to those New Vic Theatre, Newcastle- '80s party for the town.” injured on the front line in under-Lyme, on Friday 28 Tickets are now on sale for the Afghanistan. The second talk in the September and then contin- event and are available from series takes place on 4 October. ues at The Potteries Museum seetickets.com or thebuttermar- For more information, & Art Gallery on Saturday the ket.co.uk visit rafmuseumorg/cosford 29th and Sunday the 30th. 6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Wolverhampton September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 12:52 Page 4 Taj Express (W/S/S).qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 17:25 Page 1

Bollywood in the Potteries Bold beats and explosive dance as new musical arrives in the Midlands

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by Lauren Cole

Taj Express, which visits the Midlands this month, is a one-way ticket to experiencing the flavour of Bollywood. Expect a musical bursting with bold colours, fabulous dancing and a soundtrack by famous composer AR Rahman. What’s On spoke to producer and director Shruti Merchant about the show...

This month, the Midlands will be hit by a Bollywood because the whole world knows Shruti is particularly excited about bringing wave of Indian culture when Taj Express who Mr Rahman is. This story contemplates Taj Express to the UK. comes to both the Birmingham Hippodrome who carries on his legacy, and it acts as a “This is my favourite country. I desperately and the Regent Theatre in Stoke. catalyst to explore all the different music and want to move to the UK because I feel very dance of India through different choreogra- The feelgood musical has been a success connected to the world of musical theatre phy. across the globe, including during its stint in here. In Mumbai, where I’m currently living, London last year. Audiences will get the “I always like to think that the audience I feel all alone. When I walk around the opportunity to explore the glamorous world enjoys being transported into a new world streets of London, I see so many musicals of Bollywood through a young man’s desire where they feel happy, relaxed and, most playing and so many people lining up to to follow in the footsteps of composer AR importantly, are completely entertained. I’m watch theatre. That’s something that Rahman - the man behind the music from hit not here to put across any content that de- doesn’t exist in my country - films and Bolly- movie Slumdog Millionaire. presses anybody, or that makes them want to wood are the predominant entertainment. So check their phones. The fact that everyone yes, the UK is special to me.” Director and producer of Taj Express, Shruti wants to dance at the end of the show is Merchant, comes from a family who’s Directing musical theatre and leading her great; there’s some kind of release the heritage is deeply rooted in dance and company is incredibly hard work, but the audience feel when they come out of a choreography. rewards more than make up for it. Bollywood musical. I’m not here to show the “I’m born into a family of choreographers,” technique of Bollywood dancing or to brag “Theatre is the life I’ve chosen, but I’ve had she says. “Not just in Bollywood, but also about the kinds of fabulous extensions we do to sacrifice my personal life because the only from a background of Indian classical in our dancing. I just want my audience to be thing I’m doing is focusing on the dancing - predominantly Kathak, like all my entertained!” productions. It’s an endless job. There are ancestors from Rajasthan. times when I say, “I’m never going to do this Shruti believes Taj Express is bringing a true I started off my career assisting my sister, again”. Then, after finishing the production and diverse flavour of India to theatres across Vaibhavi Merchant, in films, and that’s when and sleeping for two or three days straight, the world. we got an offer to do a musical about her life. I’m trying to get back on it. Yes, there are a I quickly preferred sitting in a theatre to “I think Taj Express is a perfectly curated lot of sacrifices, but I think at the same time being on a set because the experience was show of the best parts of India. Everything - the madness is what I enjoy the most. The exhilarating - the audience reaction to your from the team we have to the songs we sing, reward is when the audience stands up at the work was so instant. The kind of love and the script by Toby Gough and the dance in end to give us a round of applause, and then adulation we received when taking our the show - makes this happen. We didn’t leaves the theatre laughing, smiling and culture and dance choreography on stage is want to bore people with Indian history, so dancing. something that made me never want to go the script is very easy to follow. Even the “I have another production that I’ll start back on a film set. So I started my company, fabrics and colours of the costumes have working on when Taj Express has finished. It Quintessence, to produce not only Taj brought in a pallete that is pan-India. will probably be presented next year at the Express but a lot more content from India.” “Audiences find our dance styles so intrigu- Edinburgh Fringe because we’ve got a keen Shruti believes that Bollywood is the perfect ing and wonder how we Indians move our interest from there. I’ve been touring Taj platform upon which to base the most necks in that certain way, so these are the Express for five years now, so it’s high time I vibrant of musicals. kinds of moments we’ve incorporated into did something new because there’s such a the musical. It doesn’t only feature demand. I’ll be presenting a lot more stuff “I guess in India we still believe in dreams traditional dance performed in the temples in from India out there on the world stage.” and fairytales. We believe very heavily in India, it also speaks to current India, which romance, and the drama surrounding ro- is in tune with hip-hop and other modern mance, and we show this in our films. How- forms of dance and music. The way our show ever, we wanted to do something different has been styled is in tune with popular world Taj Express runs at Birmingham with Taj Express. We came up with the idea standards, but also brings true India through. Hippodrome from Tuesday 11 to Saturday of telling the story of a young boy who tries It’s such a unique, diverse production for 15 September and is at Regent Theatre, to follow in the footsteps of AR Rahman. He audiences all over the world to enjoy.” Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday 18 September wants to be the next big composer in

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Food

mushrooms and cherry toma- toes. Essentially a cheesy garlic bread with some basic topping, it was nice but nothing spectacular. We’ve been quite spoilt with pizza options this year, from eating numerous outstanding pizzas in Rome to trying the winner of the ‘best traditional pizza in the world’ award at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo, at the city’s Pizza Rock restaurant. It’s hard not to make comparisons. The monstrous steak was cooked medium rare, much to our delight. It certainly wasn’t as flavoursome as other T-bones that we’ve enjoyed recently, but it was nonetheless cooked perfectly and (almost fully) de- voured. The creamy carbonara was also eaten, and we had a good go at the fries too. Our clothes were bursting at the seams - we’d stuffed ourselves to the point of being uncomfortable REVIEW: Fiume - but the tiramisu sounded too good to walk away from. And I'm Talking Italian at popular family-run Wolverhampton eatery glad that we didn’t. An Italian classic featuring mascarpone Offering tasty cuisine ‘with and we were seated in the bright cia came in the form of a crepe and eggs, cream and coffee and southern Italian influence and a upstairs area next to a window. filled with mushrooms, Italian Tia Maria-soaked savoiardi bis- fresh twist’, Wolverhampton- sausage and mozzarella, topped We perused the menu over a cold cuits topped with cocoa and based Fiume is an independent with cheese sauce and a bread- Peroni - Italy’s favourite pre- crushed coffee, it was the high- family-run Italian bar, restaurant crumb gratin. Another simple mium lager. Choosing from a se- light of the evening by far. It was & café, established in 2013 by starter but enjoyable nonethe- lection of starters including just perfect, and definitely up Famiglia Scaringi. less. Carpaccio di Manzo al Pepe Nero there with the nicest I've ever en- The stunning two-storey restau- (thinly sliced raw beef served Fiume’s menu features three joyed. rant boasts white walls and thick with rocket, parmesan shavings, whole pages of main-course op- From its canalside location to its wooden beams, as well as a horseradish mayonnaise and tions, including an entire page of exceptional staff, its tasty canalside outdoor seating area carasau), Polpette della Nonna spaghetti, linguine, penne, gnoc- tiramisu to its comfortable where customers can enjoy a (pork and beef meatballs in a chi, lasagne and risotto dishes, atmosphere, Fiume is well worth spot of alfresco dining. rich tomato sauce) and Calamari fresh fish - including swordfish, a visit the next time you’re out Fritti (deep-fried squid in flour salmon and sea bass - a range of The venue’s mouthwatering à la and about in Wolverhampton. and seasoning served with a pizzas and a selection of meat carte menu uses fresh ingredi- Lauren Foster ents and offers modern and clas- spicy tomato salsa), my partner dishes, including chicken, calf’s sic Italian dishes, including and I opted for the Crespella ai liver and beef. Food: nnnnn pastas, pizzas, fresh fish and Funghi e Salsiccia and Tagliere After quite the deliberation, we Service: nnnnn meats. di Prosciutto. opted for a small Biancaneve Ambience: nnnnn The latter, comprising sliced pizza - I’d heard the pizzas were Every Monday and Saturday Overall value nnnnn parma ham served with deep- pretty tasty so thought it was lunchtime, diners can also enjoy OVERALL nnnnn bottomless prosecco and endless fried gnocco fritto, was a tradi- only right we tried one - and a pizza for £26.95 per person. tional and simple starter. The 35oz T-bone steak to share. The Fiume salty ham, the gnocco fritto - steak came with fries and a small Despite the restaurant being suit- 5a Bridgnorth Road small balls of Italian bread - and portion of carbonara - carb ably busy, it boasted a relaxed, Compton the basil leaves made for an en- heaven! Wolverhampton chilled-out atmosphere on the joyable flavour combination. The pizza featured a garlic butter WV6 8AB evening that we visited. The staff Tel: 01902 755550 were friendly and welcoming, The Crespella ai Funghi e Salsic- base with mozzarella, ham,

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Food

Cannock Beer Festival back for a fifth year The fifth Cannock Chase CAMRA Beer Festival takes place from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 September at The Prince of Wales Theatre. The event features 63 ales, 20 ciders, bottled beers from around the world and, new for 2018, The Gin Bar, boasting 25 different gins. Admission is £3 for the general public, £2 for senior citizens and £1 for CAMRA members. The event takes place from 5pm to 11pm on the Thursday and from midday to 11pm on the Friday and Saturday. Popular beer festival returns to Lichfield The Lichfield Autumn Beer Festival takes place at the city’s Guildhall on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 September. The popular event features a choice of more than 30 real ales and ciders from local and regional breweries and a wide range of food. Live entertainment is provided by Grateful Dads on the Friday and local favourites Three’s Company on the Ludlow’s food festival offers a taste of the Marches Saturday. Returning to the stunning grounds of the town’s castle, Ludlow Food Festival is this year taking place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 September. The much-loved annual event boasts three main stages hosting more than 40 hours of chef Deliveroo rides into demonstrations. It also features in excess of 180 local food & drink producers and suppliers, selling Wolverhampton real food, ale, cider, perry, wine and plenty more from the Marches area. Takeaway service Deliveroo is now This year’s line-up of experts includes Wahaca founder Thomasina Miers, gardener Alys Fowler, available in Wolverhampton and the London Honey Company’s Steve Benbow and Romy’s Kitchen’s Romy Gill MBE. Black Country. Known for its bright blue riders zipping across many of the UK's major towns Tamworth hosts its fourth family-friendly food festival and cities, the company delivers food from local takeaways, popular chain The fourth Tamworth Food restaurants and independent eateries Gusto Festival is taking place to its customers’ doors within a set-mile at Castle Pleasure Grounds on radius. Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September. Boasting a wide range of food & drink stalls and live entertainment, the event features local producers selling hams, sausages, organic meat, handmade cheese, ice cream, fudge, vegetables, jams and pickles. Face painting, a bouncy castle and numerous rides ensure there’s plenty to keep younger visitors entertained.

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by Lauren Cole

Fun in the sun! Although it’s the end of the road for long-running television series Benidorm, the show’s Mid- lands fans can still catch up with all their favourite characters, thanks to a new touring stage version of the hit ITV comedy. What’s On recently chatted to Adam Gillen - who plays the unusual but loveable Liam Conroy - to find out more about Benidorm Live...

Complete with swingers, cross-dressing be himself. That’s the beautiful thing about stage, we’re able to have a proper barny, and more, would you say Benidorm really Liam, actually - he doesn’t try to be anyone where we can cross over speech when shout- embraces the beauty of diversity, Adam? else but who he is. He’s sometimes unusual ing at each other without that being an issue. I reckon so. I think the character of Les/Les- and sometimes quite strange, but nobody But I think the core elements are the same. ley is a wonderful one. It also shows how should apologise for who they are. So if he What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve someone can be if they’re surrounded by an keeps on that road, he’ll find somebody - seen off-set during all your time filming accepting community that allows him to be eventually. abroad? himself and express himself both as a man Some of Liam’s fashion choices in the TV God, I’ve seen quite a few things in and as his alter-ego. I think it portrays an en- series have been questionable. Has he Benidorm. People really let loose. People just vironment of freedom and freedom of expres- grown up a bit for the stage version? have the best time of their lives. Even though sion, and I think that’s a really positive thing. I’m not sure yet, as we haven’t had that cos- people are insanely happy, it does sometimes I imagine Benidorm’s portrayal of all tume chat, but I hope so. When I first started look like you imagine Sodom and Gomorrah lifestyles with a certain amount of levity, joy playing him, I got the impression he was would! It’s just absolute chaos and pure car- and fun can only be a good thing. I think the dressed by his mother and also borrowed a nage, but in the most beautifully fun sense. I overall reason for Benidorm’s success, few things from her wardrobe, which is quite couldn’t even pick out a specific event be- though, is that there’s a certain amount of ir- a fun angle. Then, as he’s grown up, he’s cause there have been too may. reverence, real warmth and heart in its story. been influenced by Kenneth, and I think Ken- Derren Litten genuinely loves his characters. Not planning a holiday trip to Benidorm neth has picked him out a couple of shirts. I anytime soon, then? Your character, Liam, and Kenneth - think now he’s older there may be a change, Well, I’ve been to Benidorm for four months played by Tony Maudsley - have a close but we’ll see what the costume chat has in every year for eight years, but I wouldn’t say friendship. What can we expect in the store. no to dipping my toe in again - once I’ve had stage version? What made you want to come back to the a little break - because its enormous fun. You Liam and Kenneth are who they are. They character of Liam for a full-on stage show? don’t have to be going for it party-wise to care for each other very dearly. I think they’re The series has come to an end, and I can’t enjoy the area because there are actually beautiful, well-formed characters who aren’t think of a better way to pay tribute to that some really lovely things to do there; it’s a re- shallow and have layers. They’re very whole- than by doing a sort-of Benidorm roadshow - ally beautiful part of Spain. The neon whites some and just fun to watch. I’m not sure if an extended, bumper episode. To see the always draw you back for a bit of nonsense in there’ll be duets in the Neptune, but certainly freedom that those characters can explore on the end, though. there’ll be a continuation of the combative, the stage as well is great. For example, Tony fun, warring siblings relationship they seem What are your plans for the future? and I, we like the physical, brotherly side of to have - just more nonsense. That’s the thing I’m not sure. We’ve got this until April and our characters’ relationship, and you can’t al- with all your best friends; you can have the then, after that, who knows? There’s hope- ways get all of that on camera effectively. So most horrendous rows and fall out terribly, fully more fun, interesting projects to come. to be on stage and to have a bit more space but you know they’re not going to go very far that allows you to really have a proper jostle and you’re always going to be there for each is ideal. other. I think that’s what happens with us. Benidorm Live visits the Regent Theatre, How does preparation for comedy on- Liam is pretty ill-fated and unlucky in Stoke-on-Trent, from Monday 24 to Satur- stage and comedy for screen differ? love. What dating advice would you give day 29 September, and then runs at the The timings and the rhythm of the comedy is him? New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham the same, but you’re not restricted so much I think I’d say that he shouldn’t be afraid to from Monday 3 to Saturday 29 December. by the technical side of things on stage. On Alexandra THeatre F/P Sept 2018.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 15:27 Page 1 GIGS September Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 13:52 Page 2

Gigs

Fridolijn Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, Sun 16 September Fridolijn’s (pronounced ‘Free-doe-Line’) music blends haunting self-penned songs with covers played in her own unique style, cinematic folk, jazz, electronica and broken beats. The Amsterdam-born singer previously enjoyed chart-topping success in both Holland and Japan with her band, Finn Silver.

Craig Charles Craig Charles is pretty well known to the great British public. The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, This month sees him bringing his hugely Fri 28 September popular Funk & Soul Club to the Midlands. Telly series Coronation Street, Robot Wars Gig-goers can expect a collection of tracks and Red Dwarf (not to mention successful which have been covered and remixed by Molotov Jukebox DJing and writing careers) have ensured current leading bands and DJs. The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 19 September Lisbee Stainton Scott Matthews Boasting a unique sound, Molotov Jukebox are a six-piece like no other. Lichfield Guildhall, Fri 7 September Newhampton Arts Centre, Fri 28 September Fronted by lead singer Natalia Tena (who Touring with the likes of Seth Lakeman, Scott Matthews’ new record, The Great Un- played Nymphadora Tonks in the Harry Pot- Paul Carrack and Joan Armatrading, Lisbee told, has been described as ‘a masterclass in ter film series and the wildling Osha in Game Stainton has been writing music for 22 honesty, instinct and reflection’, and is the Of Thrones), they bring their bilingual fiesta years, releasing five albums during that sixth studio album by the Ivor Novello floor-fillers to Stoke-on-Trent this month as time. Her latest offering, Lisbee LIVE, was Award-winning singer-songwriter. part of a 10th anniversary tour. released in March and features nine ver- “It’s a collection of songs that lots of people sions of previously released songs and two will relate to,” says Scott. “It’s a real mood- brand new numbers. “Every song on the shift of a record. The songs always start from album was recorded in one take,” explains a personal angle, but listeners will hear Lisbee “so what you’re hearing is, quite sim- them in different ways.” ply, just me and my guitar.”

Big Country The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury, Thurs 13 September; The Robin, Bilston, Fri 21 September Big Country were formed in 1981 by guitar- playing Bruce Watson and the late Stuart Adamson... Expect to hear classic hits and live favourites from the ever-popular Dun- fermline band, including Harvest Home, Fields Of Fire and In A Big Country.

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Classical

CBSO: Star Wars Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 8 September The Force Awakens in the Potteries this month when the City of Birmingham Sym- phony Orchestra get to grips with composer and conductor John Williams’ memorable music from all eight Star Wars movies. Light sabers at the ready... Michael Seal (pictured) conducts.

G4 Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 7 September After scoring a hit in the first ever series of X Factor, G4 became one of the country’s biggest crossover classical groups. Their debut album went straight to number one and sold more than 245,000 copies, making it the fastest-selling record of 2005. Although they disbanded two years and three albums later - citing as the reason their need to pursue individual interests - they reunited in 2014 for their 10th anniversary. Their visit to Shrewsbury will see them performing a song set that includes Bohemian Rhapsody, My Way, Nessun Dorma and Creep.

CBSO: Italian Moments CBSO: Dvorak’s Proms And Prosecco Symphony Hall, Birmingham, New World In The Park Thurs 27 September Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Chetwynd Deer Park, Newport, Shropshire, Wed 12 & Thurs 13 September Sat 8 September Omer Meir Wellber makes a welcome return to the region to conduct the City of Birming- ham Symphony Orchestra. The programme for the evening brings together concertos by Rachmaninov and Bartok with Dvorak’s Othello and From The New World. The latter piece was first performed 125 years ago, since which time it has established itself as one of the most popular sym- phonies ever written. Two of classical music’s most revered artists - violinist Gidon Kremer and pianist Jan Lisiecki (pictured) - contribute to the pro- Midlands conductor Alpesh Chauhan (pic- gramme on separate nights. Proms, prosecco and picnics - what’s not tured) picks up the baton to oversee a CBSO to love about this relaxed get-together? homage to all things Italian - from Timed to coincide with the Last Night of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet to Respighi’s the Proms, the event features perfor- depiction of Roman excess in his sym- mances by tenor Jack Foley, the highly phonic poem, Feste Romane. rated String Infusion and the British win- Russian pianist Pavel Kolesnikov also con- ner of the Chinese X Factor, Mary-Jess. tributes to the evening’s programme when Mary (pictured) will round off her perfor- he performs Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody On mance by leading the crowd in a host of A Theme Of Paganini. Last Night of the Proms favourites. whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Festivals September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:10 Page 1 Festivals September.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:10 Page 2

Festivals

Shiiine On Birmingham O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 8 September Festival brand Shiiine On is launching a new one-day event at Birmingham’s O2 Academy this month. Shiiine On Birmingham’s impressive line-up includes more than 20 iconic bands. The Hacienda will descend on the city, with Todd Terry headlining a superb line-up alongside Marshall Jefferson and Jon Dasilva. Ticket prices include free entry to two special afterparties. Line-up includes: Orbital, Shed Seven (pictured), Happy Mondays, Embrace, Glasvegas, Julian Cope, Reverend & The Makers, Black Grape, Cast, The Wedding Present, Dread- zone, A Certain Ratio, Jim Bob (Carter USM), Bentley Rhythm Ace, Thousand Yard Stare, The Stairs, Psyence, Steve Cradock, Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets) and Ned's Acoustic Dustbin.

Moseley Folk Godiva Bromyard Folk Festival Moseley Park, Birmingham, War Memorial Park, Coventry, Bromyard, Worcestershire, Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September Fri 31 August - Sun 2 September Thurs 6 - Sunday 9 September Tucked away behind Birmingham’s busy Taking place for the 51st time, Bromyard’s streets, the beautiful Moseley Park is one of much-loved celebration of traditional music the city's hidden gems, transformed each is now a well-established tradition in and of year into an enchanting escape by one of the itself. This year’s event promises more than Midlands' best-loved music festivals. 170 hours of entertainment, with some of the Traditional folk & low-fi acoustic sets blend finest national and international folk musi- seamlessly with dreamy electropop, cians headlining a programme that also in- psychedelia and indie favourites against a cludes workshops, sing-arounds, ceilidhs, magical backdrop of bright hippie colours, dance displays, children’s entertainment and lush foliage and a beautiful lake. The perfect a traditional craft market. way to see out the summer. Line-up includes: Oysterband, The Music line-up includes: Levellers, Teenage Young’uns (pictured), Rura, Cosmotheka, Fanclub (pictured), Nick Mulvey, Steve Chris Wood, Fara, Moore Moss and Rutter, Harley & Cockney Rebel, Show Of Hands, The Rheingans Sisters, Granny’s Attic, Crows, Bridget St John, King Creosote, This Is The The Hut People, Cardboard Fox, Jack Rutter, Proudly reaffirming its status as the UK's Kit, Willy Mason, Imarhan, Skinny Lister, Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, Steamchicken, biggest and best free music festival, Godiva Jools Holland and Samantha Parton, Richard Rosie Hood, Ben Robertson and Keith Don- presents another bumper crop of top-notch Dawson, Martin Carthy, Chris Wood and nelly. talent as it returns for 2018. Veteran perform- Siobhan Miller. ers join emerging artists working across a dazzling array of genres. While the traditional Godiva procession continues to this day, the weekend has certainly come a long way since its 17th century origins as a celebration of the medieval Countess of Mercia. Music line-up includes: Editors, Ronan Keating, Jake Bugg, Gaz Coombes (pictured), Cradle Of Filth, Asian Dub Foundation, Jonas Blue, Peace, The Neville Staple Band, Gabrielle, Professor Green, Little Comets, Hazel O’Connor and Blood Red Shoes. whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy September 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:11 Page 1

Comedy

Scummy Mummies Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 14 September; Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Wed 10 October “Our speciality is comedy for less-than-perfect parents, so that means all parents!” says Ellie Gibson about Scummy Mummies, her popular double act with Helen Thorn. “Our live comedy shows cover a wide range of parenting topics - from pelvic floors and play-dates to farting and fish fingers. Expect songs, sketches, stand-up and very scummy stories!”

Marcus Brigstocke Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 23 September; Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Sun 30 September; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 24 November; Evesham Arts Centre, Sat 1 December Rich Hall Oakengates Theatre at The Place, Telford, Peddling a line in dark, intelligent humour, the award-winning Marcus Brigstocke is one of Tues 25 September; Birmingham Town Hall, the most inventive talents on the comedy circuit. Jokes include: “I realised I was dyslexic Thurs 11 October; Evesham Arts Centre, when I went to a toga party dressed as a goat,” and “If Pac-Man had affected us as kids, Sat 20 October; Stourport Civic Centre, we'd all be running around in dark rooms, munching pills and listening to repetitive elec- Wed 21 November tronic music.” His official biography somewhat less than Marcus’s latest touring show, Devil May Care, finds Lucifer himself arbitrating on the in- modestly describes American funnyman creasingly tricky issue of what’s good and what’s bad ‘in these challenging divisive times’. Rich Hall as ‘a comic genius’ - albeit a ‘grouchy, deadpan’ one. With much of his comedy focusing on making fun of life across the pond in his home- Gary Delaney land, Rich is best known for his creation of Otis Lee Crenshaw, a bourbon-swilling red- Stafford Gatehouse, Fri 7 September; Artrix, Bromsgrove, neck jailbird from Tennessee whose many Thurs 20 September; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Thurs 11 October; The Glee Club, Birmingham, wives have all been named Brenda. Sun 4 November Rich returns to the Midlands with a show “The hardest part of running competitively in Wales that he describes as a hoedown: “There’s must be keeping up with the Joneses,” quips the ever- stand-up comedy, improvised ballads, popular Gary Delaney. cracking good musicianship, and ultimately And Gary’s certainly no one- a hilarious, foot-stomping, s**t-kicking good gag pony: “My girlfriend’s time to be had by all. Even if you don’t own dog died, so to cheer her up I a hoe.” went out and got her an iden- tical one. She was livid and yelled, ‘What am I going to do with two dead dogs?’ Or how about: “The president of France said that the English are arrogant with their re- fusal to learn foreign languages. At least I think that’s what he said. It all just sounded like haw-he-haw-he- haw-he-haw.” Suffice to say there’ll be plenty more where those came from when Sarah Millican’s Solihull-born husband returns to his Midlands roots this month. 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy September 2018 .qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:11 Page 2

Stephen Lynch The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 16 September American funnyman and theatrical star Stephen makes a welcome return to the UK for the first time in five years this month. A Broadway award winner for his performance in hit musical The Wedding Singer, Stephen describes himself as a musician trapped in a comedian’s body - so it’s little wonder that he’s made the singing of witty ditties a real front-and-centre element of his stand-up set.

Dylan Moran Run, the hugely entertaining Irishman specialises in stand-up rants that are often New Alexandra Theatre, Sat 22 September; bizarre and always unpredictable. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 6 October; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 30 October Jokes include: “I don't do drugs. If I want a rush, I just stand up when I'm not expecting Once labelled 'the Oscar Wilde of comedy’, it,” and “I can't swim. I can't drive either. I it's fair to say that Dylan Moran is a fella with was going to learn to drive but then I a style of humour all his own. A star of hit thought, well, what if I crash into a lake?” Jason Byrne films Shaun Of The Dead and Run Fat Boy Birmingham Town Hall, Sat 29 September Watching Jason Byrne on stage has been likened by one reviewer to watching foot- Geoff Norcott Chris Tucker baller Lionel Messi play for Barcelona: it’s Arena Birmingham, Thurs 27 September Henry Tudor House, not a matter of 'if' the magic will come, but Shrewsbury, Wed 12 'when' and 'how often'. Byrne comes to the Probably best known for playing September; The Core Detective James Carter in the Rush Midlands with brand new offering You Can Theatre, Solihull, Hour movies, American stand-up Come In, But Don’t Start Anything, a show Fri 16 November which he promises will hotwire his audi- comedian Chris Tucker has been a big High-energy Geoff is one hit at the cinema, starring in films ence’s funnybones big time! of the sharpest tools in “Everyone’s welcome,” says Jason, “unless which have collectively the comedy shed, pre- grossed more than one billion you’re under 14, in which case come back senting shows which when you’re older.” dollars at the box office. He’s blend observational hu- been plying his trade as a mour with satire - and comedian for a couple of even the odd impression decades now, and released his or several! A former first stand-up movie, Chris teacher, plenty of Tucker Live, on Netflix back in Geoff’s gags relate to 2015. school experiences and Jokes include: “Have you ever the education system. had a neighbour that borrows He’s also made some- your shit for so long, you have thing of a name for him- to borrow it back?” and “You self in the field of loan your friend money. You sports-related humour, a see them again, they don't say niche that’s yielded him nothin' ’bout the money. 'Hi, how plenty of work both on ya doin'? How's ya mama doing?' television and radio. Man, how's my money doin'?’”

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by Dave Freak Josh Pugh Keeps it personal with The Changing Man

A harrowing tale of confinement rests at the heart of Josh Pugh’s latest show. What’s On finds out more from the award-winning Warwickshire comedian…

Josh Pugh was just 10 years old when he jokes and they’re quiet, they’re not enjoying enjoyed doing it." experienced the traumatic incident that lies themselves." Although the podcast’s University of East at the heart of his latest stand-up show, The At the centre of the story is that agonising Coventry setting is entirely fictional, it's Changing Man. puffer jacket incident. certainly plausible. "I got stuck in a puffer jacket," he confesses, "I went to my dad’s one weekend and he was "You can see these universities online, and "for 48 hours!" just angry all the time. The next weekend he they’re so embarrassing. You see these Hailing from Atherstone, Warwickshire, Josh bought me this puffer jacket I wanted, as a students wandering around campus saying, made his stand-up debut in the spring of present, and I zipped it up and realised the ‘Wow! There are so many shops and facilities 2014. Within 18 months, he'd won the zip was stuck, and I was too scared to tell here! I can really see myself getting a great Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking him. I was worried that he’d shout at me, so I education here!’ So it started off as a parody Talent Award, and in 2016 he picked up the kept it on for the whole weekend.” of that.” English Comedian of the Year title - the prize As those two horrendous days progressed, With the first six episodes available online for which included a string of Australian gigs. the young Josh's stress levels sky-rocketed. for free, listeners will be pleased to know that "The weirdest thing was the ex-pats who Would his father be furious that he'd just there are more shows on the way. came to the show because I was billed as ruined his expensive new present? Would "We’ve started working on another series English Comedian of the Year. I’d have people someone have to tear him out of the snug now. People who’ve listened to it have coming up to me saying, ‘I used to live in jacket? Or would he be forced to live in it for enjoyed it, and we’ve enjoyed doing it - it’s Coventry’, or ‘I’ve been to The Roadhouse’ (a the rest of his life? nice to do something other than stand-up. now-closed venue in Birmingham). I found "Then something happens where I realise I You have all these ideas sometimes that don’t that dead odd - being so far away, on the don’t have to be scared of my dad, so the work as stand-up, so it’s nice to have a other side of the world, and having people show is about how you think people are one different vehicle for it. If you listen to a lot of coming up to me who knew where I lived!" way, but they can be another way.” podcasts, they’re often just two people It seems that bumping into local folk in chatting, but we wanted to produce it more The show is one of two he’ll be bringing to far-flung places is more common than you like a radio show. It’s scripted a bit more and the Birmingham Comedy Festival next might think. edited a bit more - there aren’t that many month. The second is the live premiere of his podcasts like it. I don’t think anyone else is "I did a gig in Switzerland, which is this real podcast, Josh And Phil's Knowledge Club, doing anything like it. We might do it at the melting pot of a place, and there was one guy with fellow West Midlands comedian Phil Fringe next year if it goes down well in there from Worcester!" Pagett. Birmingham." The Changing Man is Josh’s second one-hour "The premise of Knowledge Club is that we’re Edinburgh Fringe show. working for a fictional university and we’re pitching the university to potential students. "The Changing Man was my nickname. I’m a freelance lecturer who hasn’t really got Josh Pugh performs The Changing Man at That’s what my dad used to call me because I a clue and Phil’s the straight man. We’re still 1000 Trades in Birmingham’s Jewellery was always into different fads and different working it out, but it’ll be good live. Phil’s got Quarter on Saturday 13 October. stuff every time I went round to see him. So a good ear and eye for stuff like that." John And Phil’s Knowledge Club is at it’s a bit more personal this year. Last year's The Victoria, Birmingham, on Sunday show, A Boy Named Pugh, was just jokes and The first series of podcasts saw the duo 14 October, as part of the second Free me being daft - which this is as well - but explore subjects including money, crime, Half-Dayer. there’s also a story this time. I’ve enjoyed dating and technology. For more information about Birmingham doing a story, actually; when people are "Doing different subjects is a good way to Comedy Festival (5 - 14 October), visit quiet, they’re listening, but if you’re doing generate stuff; it’s a good exercise. I’ve bhamcomfest.co.uk

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Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Benidorm Live Benidorm regulars Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Adam Gillen (Liam) and Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple-Savage) are Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 24 - Sat 29 September; all present and correct in a production that promises to bring plenty New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 3 - Sat 29 December of sunshine to six early-autumn evenings at the Regent. Sangria in Stoke is the name of the game this month when Benidorm The production is then back in the Midlands in a couple of months’ Live jets into the Potteries. Darren Litten’s brand new stage show is of time, for a Christmas run at Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre. course based on the hit ITV1 comedy series that’s been delighting Check out our online interview with Adam Gillen who plays viewers for more than a decade now. Liam at whatsonlive.co.uk

The Goon Show Pop Music Nazanin’s Story New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, The REP, Birmingham, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 18 September Wed 12 - Sat 22 September Wed 19 & Thurs 20 September Comedy enthusiasts of a certain vintage will Nazanin’s Story focuses on the real-life expe- well recall The Goon Show. Presenting a rience of Iranian British charity worker highly original and utterly zany style of hu- Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. In 2016 she was mour, the 1950s radio programme made stars convicted of plotting to overthrow Iran’s cler- of its three main contributors, Spike Milligan, ical establishment and sentenced to five Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. years in the country’s prison system. This brand new homage to the show is A judge in Tehran recently admitted that presented by the same team who recently Nazanin will not be released from prison adapted another classic radio comedy for the until Iran receives payment for a 1970s debt stage - Round The Horne. Described in its publicity as an emotionally owed by Britain... contagious rollercoaster for anyone who's Long-listed for ever been a dick on the dancefloor, Pop the Amnesty Music finds G and Kayla taking advantage of Freedom of Ex- the free bar at a wedding they’re attending. pression award, With lashings of cheap prosecco offering the play is con- them the chance to forget their troubles, the stantly being up- pair embark on an epic journey through 30 dated to take into years of pop - in the process discovering that account new de- they have far more in common with one velopments in the another than their taste in tunes... ongoing saga.

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what a feeling! Joanne Clifton stars as Alex in the UK tour of Flashdance The Musical Joanne Clifton Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 2

More than 13 million people tuned in to BBC One to see Joanne Clifton and her partner, Ore Oduba, lift the glitterball trophy in the final of the 2016 series of Strictly Come Dancing. For the girl from Grimsby, it was not only a moment of triumph but also a stepping stone to a new career as a star of musical theatre. Now Joanne is taking her dancing to the next level in the new UK tour of Flashdance The Musical...

What’s your earliest dance memory, How was that? And what are Dance Sport knowing me only as a dancer, sitting there Joanne, and did you want to put on the Games? and thinking, ‘Let’s see if she can actually ballet shoes and tutu or throw yourself It was an amazing experience. They weren’t, act’! into body popping? like, the loudest audience in Russia, but it The character you play in Flashdance, My earliest memory is being at my mum and was great to be able to say, ‘I’ve done that’. Alex Owens, is based on a real-life woman dad’s dance school. When they couldn’t find The World Sport Games are basically all the who really did work as a welder by day anyone to babysit us, they used to take me sports that aren’t in the Olympics but are on and danced at night. Are you any good at and my brother Kevin along. We were just the waiting list to be included. It’s always DIY? toddlers, but Kevin would join in, and as difficult with something that’s based on I actually built myself a desk and a shoe- soon as he did, I would copy him. Then mum opinion rather than who crosses the line first rack! The shoe rack was basically little pipes put me into ballet, but I was just awful at it; or who jumped the highest - although ice that you fit together at corners, but the desk they used to call me the ‘pregnant plug’ dancing is in the Olympics, so dance could was wood and you had to use a screwdriver. because I wore the little black leotard with maybe make it one day, too. It’s a bit wobbly, and I got one bit the wrong the pink tights and was one of those kids You joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 way round, but apart from that I thought I whose belly really stuck out! I was absolutely and won two years later with Ore Oduba. did quite well. rubbish at it and hated it. So I stopped the What was your favourite dance routine ballet but did ballroom, Latin, disco and little Could you describe Alex in three words? during your winning series? group dances. Then we started entering Passionate, focused and determined. competitions when Kevin was five and I was Singing In The Rain, because I thought that four. Quite a lot of people think we’re twins, was a turning point for me and that style is In Flashdance, you have to perform but there’s a whole year and 11 days between just my thing. The audience seemed to love several dance routines that are so well us! the jive. I’m not keen on Latin, but I’m glad known they’ve become iconic movie they enjoyed it. But probably equal with moments. How are you feeling about that? You spent a long time in Italy. Do you Singing In The Rain was the ballroom show speak Italian? I can’t wait! I think the audience will get the dance we did at the end. They’ve both got all same feeling as me. When the music starts, Yes, I went over to a dance school at 16 and that Hollywood glamour, which I love. particularly Maniac and What A Feeling, nobody spoke English there, so I had to learn Your brother, Kevin, also a Strictly dancer, even if I’m tired after a day of rehearsals and very quickly. I stayed there for 14 years. When was the first to congratulate you, even the director says, ‘Okay, let’s do it from the I came back, I’d spent half my life there. It though you’d beaten him. Was there a top’, as soon as that music comes on, I get an was my first language for quite a long time, little bit of sibling rivalry in evidence absolute buzz and can’t wait to do it. and when I came back to England in 2014, I during the course of the show? used to think in Italian and had to translate You’re appearing in the show up until in my head back into English. I dreamed in More on my part. I’m more competitive than December. Are you feeling fit and ready to Italian for about a year after I left. It still Kevin. But he’s my big brother and I wanna take that on? comes out in natural reactions - like if I bang pay him back for all the wrestling moves he I think so. I’ve danced since I was four and my elbow or my knee, I’ll swear in Italian used to practise on me when we were kids. been trained the hard, sports way in Italy. rather than English, which can be a good But if he had a good week, I was really happy Obviously I’m older now - I’m 33 and I’m thing if I’m in public! for him, and he was for me. And as soon as playing a 19-year-old, but I know how to train the cameras went off, I went and said sorry Do you like Italian food? for it and I know how to eat so that I’ve got because he’d been in the finals four times enough energy but can look good in a I absolutely love it, although I wasn’t allowed and not won, and then I just came out of leotard. Touch wood, my dancing experience to eat much of it while I was over there. My nowhere and took the title! will help me through it. male coach was Italian and my female coach Having left Strictly, you went into the tour was Russian, so we were trained like the What is it about Flashdance that really of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Was musical Russian ballet dancers and, of course, we appeals to audiences? theatre a new direction for you or a return needed to be slim. But that’s why I’m eating to an earlier love? It’s such an iconic movie with such iconic lots of it now! songs and scenes. Everybody knows I’d never really trained in musical theatre, And do you cook it? Flashdance, everybody knows What A but I had private lessons in singing and Feeling and everybody knows the Maniac No. I can cook two things. I can do poached acting when I was a kid growing up in water scene. It’s going to be great for those eggs and pop tarts - but that’s a meal in itself, Grimsby. I didn’t do anything for 14 years moments, and I just say to people, come and isn’t it? You can have the poached eggs for while I was in Italy, but since I came back to see it! I’m so grateful that I’ve got the role. mains and then the pop tarts for pudding! do Strictly, I’ve been taking lessons again. Before Millie, I did two other musicals on the 2013 was an amazing year for you. You fringe, but Millie was my first big stage show. won the World Pro Ballroom Show Dance Flashdance The Musical runs at the I’ve wanted to do musicals since I was a kid. I Championships, the World Dance Sport Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from Tuesday absolutely love singing and acting, and I like Games and you performed at the Kremlin. 4 to Saturday 8 September. the excitement of the audience coming in, War Horse September online mag.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:14 Page 1

War Horse

Stage phenomenon War Horse is set to return to the Midlands... What’s On spoke to puppeteers Tom Quinn and Lewis Howard about their crucial role in this spectacular, emotive production...

Michael Morpurgo’s popular children's book puppets, so what’s each puppeteer’s puppet forwards until the head is in a good is now a hit National Theatre stage show, specific role? position. Then I control the front legs using which has wowed audiences and moved triggers at the curve of the knee. Tom: My role as the puppeteer of the head of people to tears all across the world. both Joey and Topthorn is to control what the How much time have you both spent The second UK tour of War Horse is horse is looking at, what it’s thinking and studying horse behaviour? underway. Local lads Tom Quinn - from what it’s feeling; to bring the horse to life. Tom: When we first started, we had a Redditch - and Lewis Howard - who grew up Lewis: As Joey’s heart, I instigate the fortnight of just ‘horse academy’, if you like. and attended drama school in Birmingham - breathing so the horse looks alive. Being It was a little puppetry school where all the are puppeteers in the show. What’s On spoke between the head and the hind means I can puppeteers gathered two weeks before the to them about the task of bringing huge on- see what both are doing, so I can silently rest of the cast to learn basic movements like stage horse puppets to life in front of translate between the two. If I see the hind walking, trotting and galloping. Then we thousands of people... wanting to make a certain move, but the went to the Kings Troop, the Royal Horse It takes three puppeteers to work the head isn’t in the right position just yet to do Artillery with all the ceremonial guns and entirety of the Joey and Topthorn so, I can hold off the hind form pushing the carriages, to watch the real-life Topthorns. War Horse September online mag.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:14 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Then, that afternoon, we went to a riding thoroughbred and half draught horse. He’s Tom: The puppets are made by a South stable to look at more chilled-out riding built for riding, not for a lot of the things he’s African company called the Handspring horses. So we watched a bunch of Joeys as made to do in the show. He’s quite chilled- Puppet Company. There are 23 puppets in the well. We were there watching a lot of little out and earthy, whereas Topthorn is just pure whole show, and Handspring make most of behaviours to refine our skills. thoroughbred, so he’s like a proper feisty them. They’re made from an aluminium officer’s horse. The puppets themselves do a frame that sits on top of the hind and heart Lewis: One of the most important things is lot of that for us, so Joey in comparison to puppeteers, and there’s a cane cage that sort making the horse look as heavy as it should Topthorn is slightly smaller, and as a head of sits around them. Then the mane and tail be. The weight of the puppet is on our backs puppeteer, I can extend Topthorn’s neck up are made using a material called tyvec and and we’re standing on our own feet, so it really tall. He’s an enormous horse, and we bits of leather. So, yeah, those bits rustle and takes a lot of practice to sell the idea that it’s need to convey that proud, feisty side of flow but it still has some weight, and a real horse. But there are things that the him.” between all of the canes there’s a thin mesh puppet can’t do, and if you tried to do those gauze so the audience can see out mostly, but things it would make it look less real, so once It’s easy for people who haven’t seen the in the right light the audience’s view into the we got comfortable with the basics, we show to be dubious about how a puppet cage is obscured. moved away from horse behaviour and can be made realistic on stage. Do either focused on how the puppet can move, and of you have anything to say to people who Is the puppet as heavy to work with as it how best to work with what we’ve got. aren’t yet convinced that they should go sounds? and see the show? Does each team of puppeteers create a Lewis: Yes, the cage that we’re under is 10 slightly different Joey or Topthorn - or Lewis: I first saw it 10 years ago. When my stone, and that’s split between the hind and even, does each individual puppeteer mum told me we were going to see the stage the heart puppeteers’ backs. Then, the legs bring a different personality to the role? version of War Horse, a book I’d read in are probably a couple of kg each, and then school, I didn’t imagine it would be puppets. the head has its own weight that the head Tom: Yes, it’s the same as any other role. So I assumed there would be projections or puppeteer holds up. We wear it as a backpack each team that does Joey and Topthorn something, and there would be a way of and it’s something you get used to. It’s like brings a slightly different characterisation to getting round it that would give the show a wearing one of those big backpacks for life on stage, just like an actor would do slightly more surreal feel. hiking - now only once you take it off do you when interpreting the lines from Hamlet. We realise how heavy it’s been. Early in still go through the same acting choices as But when baby Joey appears on the stage, as rehearsals it was quite brutal though. Trying the speaking parts go through, except we an audience member you don’t want to watch to do stuff, be nimble and make a huge horse don’t act through our own bodies. We also the puppeteers, you want to watch Joey puppet look realistic while having this huge change a lot of things from each show. For because that’s what’s amazing. Then, when weight on your back is quite a challenge. example, one of the nights, one of the actors the big horses come out, from afar you can’t may choose to shout one of their lines, or see a lot of the mechanisms - the puppets just What are your plans for the future? walk towards Joey particularly aggressively, look so fluid. Anyone who comes to see the Tom: I think this role has given me a bit of a which obviously Joey will need to be startled show will be surprised by how quickly they bug for puppetry, but obviously I trained as by. We spend a lot of it improvising how we forget it’s a puppet horse. I mean, we an actor, so I’m sure I can use all the skills think a horse would react in the situation suspend disbelief all the time in theatre, and I’ve gained from this role in a whole range of that’s playing out on stage, and each time this is no exception. work. something slightly different is created. Lewis, you trained at the Birminghan Lewis: As with most actors, I somehow can’t Lewis: I know with my team one of us brings School of Acting. Are you proud to be think beyond the current job. I’m sure I’ve more of a focused intensity to it and one of us returning to the city in such an important opened other doors by doing this role, and is a little more cheeky, but I think both are role? it’s taught me new things I wasn’t sure I’d very funny. But, of course, there are certain Lewis: Yes, I’m incredibly happy because enjoy. It’s like learning a new language or personalities it’s hard to bring to different originally, when we got the contracts, something - a new realm of opportunities parts of the horse. It’s much easier to bring a Birmingham hadn’t been announced and was have been opened up for me, so I’ll just wait sense of cheekiness to the head than to the still a venue to be confirmed. So when I got and see what happens next. hind, for example. It’s harder to be more that news, it was fantastic. To go back there aggressive in certain roles. So yes, certain for four weeks as well is even better. I qualities do manifest themselves in each role actually haven’t been back to Birmingham in the team, while each team also brings since I graduated, so I can’t wait to go back something slightly different to the stage. and show everyone around because I’ve been Tom, how do Topthorn and Joey’s telling the cast all about my favourite places. War Horse is at Birmingham Hippodrome personalities differ, and how do you as a Going back as Joey is really an honour. from Wednesday 10 Oct - Saturday 3 puppeteer bring those different Can you tell us a little bit about the November, and Regent Theatre, Stoke-On- characters out on stage? puppets themselves and what they’re Trent from Wednesday 27 March - Tom: Joey is a hunter, so he’s half made of? Saturday 6 April 2019. Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Salad Days Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 19 - Sat 22 September; Malvern Theatres, Tues 2 - Sat 6 October When newly-weds Jane and Timo- thy Dawes agree to take care of a tramp’s mobile piano for a month, they find themselves embroiled in an adventure that involves disrup- tive music, flying saucers and an ir- resistible desire to dance... Julian Slade and Dorothy Reynolds’ hit show debuted in the mid-1950s, having been written by the pair as a summer musical for the Bristol Old Vic's resident company. Featuring numbers including We Said We Wouldn’t Look Back, Look At Me, I’m Dancin’ and We’re Look- ing For A Piano, Salad Days is the show that famously made a young Cameron Mackintosh fall in love with all things theatrical. Casting includes Wendi Peters (pictured centre).

Jekyll & Hyde The League Of Gentlemen Rebus: Long Shadows The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Genting Arena, Birmingham, The REP, Birmingham, Tues 18 - Sat 22 September Thurs 13 & Fri 14 September Thurs 20 September - Sat 6 October Doctor Jekyll is not himself! Robert Louis Crime novelist Ian Rankin’s celebrated detec- Stevenson’s gothic novella tells the tale of a tive, John Rebus, takes to the stage for the brilliant but obsessive scientist whose sadis- very first time in a brand new show helmed tic alter-ego wreaks havoc across Victorian by the Birmingham Rep’s Artistic Director, London. Roxana Silbert. This dark, twisted tale of love, redemption Rankin’s most famous creation first hit the and the seductive power of evil is presented bookshelves back in 1987, with this year see- by the National Production Company. ing the publication of the 22nd Rebus novel. The character has also been brought to life The Bafta Award-winning magic of Reece on television, first by Four Weddings And A The Silence Of Snow: The Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, Mark Gatiss Funeral actor John Hannah and then by Ken and Jeremy Dyson makes a welcome return to Stott. Life Of Patrick Hamilton the stage after an absence of 12 years. The new stage play sees a retired Rebus back Lichfield Garrick, Fri 21 September Spawned on radio then television in the on the case when the daughter of a murder The burning question being asked in this dying days of the 20th century, The League Of victim appears outside his flat... new work by Mark Farrelly is: why do so Gentlemen featured a mind-boggling array of many people get through life without feeling grotesque, bizarre and downright unhinged they ever truly know another person? comedy characters, all of whom were going Writer and performer Farrelly, who scored a about their decidedly abnormal business in recent hit in the Midlands with previous the fictional northern town of Royston Vasey. show Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, seeks an- Favourite creations include Tubbs and Ed- swers to his question via a contemplation of ward Tattsyrup - who run the ‘local shop for Patrick Hamilton, best known for his plays local people’ - ‘dole scum’-hating Restart offi- Rope and Gaslight. But behind Hamilton’s cer Pauline Campbell-Jones, and gruff-spo- raw, unbridled talent there lurked a troubled ken transsexual taxi driver Barbara Dixon. alcoholic teetering on the brink of self-de- Expect all four and plenty more to be present struction... and correct when the boys take to the stage in Birmingham this month.

26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 4 Wendi Peters Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:36 Page 1

Salad Days! Wendi Peters Interview.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:36 Page 2

A loved-up young couple, plenty of laughs and a magical piano that makes people dance - award-winning musical Salad Days is coming to the Midlands... What’s On caught up with star of the show Wendi Peters to talk about the hit production and her extensive stage and screen career...

What’s Salad Days about, Wendi? northern working-class background, so has What do you hope the audience will take had to fight for all she has. The only away from the show? Salad Days holds lots of great memories for similarity is the fact that both have a roving me, and I was thrilled when this opportunity I’m hoping they’ll leave with big smiles on eye for the opposite sex… came along to do it. I first saw a production their faces after a glorious evening of of it when I was about 10. It was an amateur What else can you tell us about your uplifting singing and dancing. They may be a production in Accrington in Lancashire and character? little confused as to why everyone’s looking my godmother, Lorna, was in it. I became for a piano, and why one of Tim’s uncles Lady Raeburn likes to look after herself and obsessed with the music and, soon after, appears from a space ship shaped like a spends plenty of time in the beauty salon. there was a TV version of the show. My sister saucer. It’s such wonderful, crazy nonsense There’s a wonderful scene in Salad Days and I videoed it and watched it over and over but very funny! where she’s having her hair and nails done... again. It’s really become a family joke/ it’s going to be fun! What’s coming up for you once the tour memory, and it’s still quoted today! Of finishes? course, I’m now feeling very old, as I’m How do you feel about embarking on this playing one of the parents in the show. The tour? I have a week off and then it’s straight into show revolves around Jane and Timothy, panto season. I’m back at the Lyceum Theatre Most of my career has been on stage, and if who’ve just graduated from university. Not in Sheffield, playing Mrs Darling, Myrtle the someone asked me to pick between TV and knowing what to do next, they decide to get Mermaid and Big Chief Squatting Cow. I love theatre, the stage would always win. It’s married and get a job looking after a piano, Sheffield. I did my very first panto there in where I first fell in love with acting and which happens to be magic and makes 1987 at the Crucible Theatre and have been singing. My mum would take us to see all the people dance! Tim’s parents are desperate for back a few times since. There are great musicals that came to Manchester, and I him to get a good job and send him out to audiences and it’s a lovely city. visit all his uncles for career advice. Jane’s adored going to the theatre. A lot of my mother wants to find her a wonderfully rich theatre work has been on tour and I love it. Any advice for budding actors? It’s very exciting to be back on the road and influential husband - not knowing that My advice would be that you really must have again, bringing such a fun show to some she’s already married. It’s a wonderfully the drive and determination to want to wonderful places. I’ve played all of the upbeat, fun show with great numbers that a succeed. Not in terms of being famous and a theatres on this tour apart from two, so I’m lot of people will know and can tap and hum ‘star’, but in having a long and varied career looking forward to new towns and stages. along to. It’s a great ‘leave your troubles and a love for your art. Take the time to train We’re mostly doing a week in places, which is outside the theatre’ show, and I guarantee properly, be it privately or at a drama school. the perfect length. By the time you’ve settled you’ll leave with a big smile on your face. Watch and learn from other actors around the show in, you have a couple of days to you. You never stop learning. If you’re still at Lots of audience members will know you explore and then you move on. It’s also great school, get involved in as many school or from Coronation Street. How does this being on tour and catching up with friends local amateur productions as you can and character differ from Cilla? and family in various towns. enjoy it! That’s really important. They differ inasmuch as Lady Raeburn in What would you say to encourage people Salad Days is the quintessential aristocrat to come and watch Salad Days? who’s very relaxed and laid back until it Salad Days The Musical runs at the Salad Days is a fun, feelgood show that will comes to her daughter and finding the right Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from have you humming and tapping all the way husband for her. I suppose she really just has Wednesday 19 to Saturday 22 September, out of theatre. It’s complete escapism for two- Jane’s best interests at heart. Cilla in Corrie and then at Malvern Theatre, and-a-half hours - and in today’s world, couldn’t give two hoots for her children, Fiz Worcestershire, from Tuesday 2 to that’s sometimes needed. and Chesney, and comes from a very Saturday 6 October. Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Tartuffe ern-day Birmingham, they have in their midst the charismatic and de- vout Tahir Taufiq Arsuf - or Tartuffe to the sceptical. But is Tartuffe all Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Fri 7 September - Sat 23 February that he seems - and will family life ever be the same again?... Described as a wicked comedy about faith, family and #fakingit, this First performed in 1664, Moliere’s famous comedy saw its reputation brand new version of a 17th century masterpiece brings events bang wildly enhanced when the Archbishop of Paris issued an edict threat- up to date. ening excommunication for anyone who even so much as read the The story centres around the wealthy Pervaiz family. Living in mod- play, so offensive to the church did he consider the work to be.

As You Like It Lesley are not giving up. Instead they go Such imaginative stuff-and-nonsense is very below ground and dig in, determined to do much all in a day’s work for one-man enter- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, what they can to save their community... tainment machine Edward Day, whose pro- Thurs 27 - Sat 29 September Peake’s previous written work, Beryl - a duction also features retro animation, live A pacy tale of cross-dressing and mistaken warm and witty celebration of British cyclist music and comedy songs. identity, As You Like It is one of Shake- Beryl Burton - was also performed at the New speare’s most accessible and appealing Vic Theatre. comedies. And this particular version of the much-loved yarn should be even more acces- Evita sible and appealing than most, given that it’s Malvern Theatres, Tues 4 - Sat 8 September; being presented by the critically acclaimed Super Hamlet 64 Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tues 25 - Sat 29 September Pantaloons. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Fri 21 September Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice's third Laughing gear at the ready, then, for an Are you tired of all those common-or-un- major collaboration opened to rave reviews evening of bombastic buffoonery and foot- weeded-garden Hamlets in which the way back in the late 1970s, since which time stomping live music! prince’s father gets bumped off by his uncle it’s garnered a reputation as one of the great- who then marries his mother? If so, you may est musicals ever to grace West End and well enjoy the refreshing wind of change that Broadway stages. Super Hamlet 64 is blasting across the ram- Queens Of The Coal Age Telling the real-life story of Eva, the wife of parts of Elsinore Castle. New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, the Sure, all that dad/uncle/mum gubbins is pre- Fri 7 - Sat 29 September show is packed to the rafters with memorable sent and correct, but on this occasion the This powerful play by critically acclaimed numbers, including On This Night Of A Thou- young Prince Hamlet awakens to discover actor Maxine Peake sees four women taking a sand Stars, Buenos Aires and, of course, the that his life is actually a computer game. stand in the face of a changing world. classic Don't Cry For Me Argentina. What’s more, the person he has a crush on is It’s 1993, and although the Parkside Colliery Voice UK 2015 finalist Lucy O’Byrne takes the a samurai-sword-wielding superhero. pit is winding down, Anne, Elaine, Dot and title role.

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 11:14 Page 6

theatre for younger audiences...

Awful Auntie the world famous Teletubbies are here ap- and plenty of humour... When a tiny snail, pearing in their first ever theatre show, cre- who longs to see the world, hitches a lift on a Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Wed 26 - Sun humpback whale, 30 September; New Alexandra Theatre, Tues ated especially for little ones. Tinky Winky, 27 November - Sat 1 December Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po continue to enchant she finds herself embroiled in an ex- Frights, fights and friendships are the order and delight pre-school youngsters a full 21 citing adventure - of the day in David Walliams’ much-loved years after making their television debut on particularly when story. At the centre of the tale is a young girl BBC Two. the whale unexpect- named Stella. The sole heir to Saxby Hall, Brand new songs and the popular supporting edly gets beached... she finds herself in danger of losing both her characters of Tubby Phone, Noo-noo and Sun inheritance and her life when she comes up Baby also feature. against her thoroughly unpleasant Aunt Al- berta... Milkshake! Live Ensonglopedia Of Produced by the team behind the hugely suc- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 22 cessful stage adaptation of Walliams’ Animals September; Birmingham Town Hall, Gangsta Granny, the show comes complete Sat 27 October Artrix, Bromsgrove, Sun 16 September with a very old car, a very large owl, a very Here taking youngsters on a journey through small ghost and plenty of opportunity to After scoring a huge success with musical the world’s favourite fairytales are, among enjoy a jolly good chuckle. comedies about Charles Darwin, Albert Ein- others, Bob the Builder, Little Princess, stein and Marie Curie, the award-winning Noddy, Fireman Sam and Shimmer & Shine. John Hinton returns to the stage with a show If you’ve watched the TV series and/or been that features 26 animal songs - one for every to a previous live production, you’ll already letter of the alphabet. So if, as John puts it, know what to expect. If not, get ready for an you want to ‘get to grips with fascinating event that promises lots of laughter, bucket- facts about extraordinary echinoderms, dis- loads of family fun, bags of audience partici- tressed damselflies, crazy corals, batty birds pation and plenty of singing and dancing. and amazing arachnids’, then this is most definitely the show for you.

The Snail And The Whale Teletubbies Live MAC, Birmingham, Sat 1 & Sun 2 September Oakengates Theatre, at The Place, Telford, Sat Following on from versions of The Gruffalo 1 - Sun 2 September; Malvern Theatres, and Room On The Broom, highly rated en- Wed 19 - Thurs 20 September semble Tall Stories here present a show that Despite having been around for many a year, blends imaginative storytelling, live music

Matilda The Musical Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat 8 September Adapted from one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved books, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage-musical version of Matilda - complete with music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin - has been delighting West End audiences for six years. A staggering eight million people worldwide have so far seen productions of the critically acclaimed show, which has visited more than 50 cities and bagged an impressive 80-plus international awards. Impressive statistics in- Last deed. If you haven’t already done so, bag chance yourself a ticket and find out what all the to see! fuss is about!

whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Tall Stories' Happy Birthday Toby Mitchell.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:06 Page 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

The Gruffalo The Canterville Ghost The Snail And The Whale

This month marks the 21st anniversary of older people. We pride ourselves on making the least! We were wowed by the response to highly acclaimed theatre company Tall Sto- the kind of theatre that we ourselves would The Gruffalo, and from there it snowballed.” ries, created following a chance meeting like to watch. There are those big and silly The reaction to the show at the Edinburgh between its co-founders and artistic shows that parents enjoy on a certain level Fringe was one of many highlights for Toby directors, Toby Mitchell and Olivia Jacobs. but not entirely. That’s not what we do. We during Tall Stories’ 21 years. try to create something where everyone has a “Tall Stories came to be when I was produc- wonderful experience, and I think that’s why “I picked up a copy of The Scotsman’s Fringe ing a show on my own,” explains Toby. “I audiences keep coming back to our shows pull-out to find the review, and there was a went to deliver some flyers to Soho Theatre. I again and again. full-page photograph of our Gruffalo on the bumped into Olivia there, we got talking and front cover with a five-star review inside. So, stayed in touch. We decided to set up a com- “High points are when audiences really get it’s moments like that, when we realised we pany, which wasn’t called Tall Stories at the the show, or when a parent comes up to you were doing things that people were actually time, and went to the Fringe. We got reviewed and says their child won’t sit still for longer enjoying, that really stand out in our jour- and were regarded as a company to watch. than 10 minutes in front of the television, but ney.” that they’ve been absolutely motionless for “When we returned to the Fringe the follow- an hour watching us. Moments like that Seventeen years on, Tall Stories are still ing year, we came up with the name Tall Sto- make me very proud, but are also under- reimagining The Gruffalo every time they ries, as we thought it summed up what we standable because we’re talking directly to bring it back to the stage. aimed to do. I directed one show and Olivia the audience and taking them seriously, the other. Olivia did a show based on Oscar which a lot of children’s television doesn’t “Now a lot of the audiences are coming be- Wilde’s The Happy Prince And Other Stories, do.” cause they know the animation rather than and I did Alice In Wonderland. the book. We used to have two narrators and A pinch of good luck, or maybe just sound a female actor playing mouse. That worked “We didn’t really know what we were doing, intuition, also helped Tall Stories become when people only knew the book. Since the and neither of those shows were particularly established: “I had a day job in the early animation, we got the occasional complaint aimed at children. They were just ones that years of Tall Stories. I was working for saying that the animals didn’t look convinc- we wanted to do, but because they were Macmillan Children’s Books, and I read The ing because our costumes were a little more based around childhood favourites, families Gruffalo just before it was published. We suggestive of animals than full costumes. So, were our main audience. They told us how were looking for a show for a younger age we went back to the structure of the show, lovely it was to find work that didn’t talk group. We thought the Gruffalo was just a made it have three narrators at the start and down to their kids. We wouldn’t even have lovely story, so we decided to put that on then turned one of them into mouse on-stage considered talking down to our audience - we stage. in front of the audience. were just telling good stories - but that’s been our touchstone ever since.” “Of course, at the time it was an unknown “This was just gently saying to the audience book. Julia Donaldson was also unknown, so that they needed to use their imaginations Toby firmly believes this approach has been a it was fairly easy to negotiate the rights. for the show; part of the fun of a storytelling major factor in Tall Stories’ success: “We Then, while we had it in rehearsals, it won a show is that we don’t give it all to them on a don’t patronise the younger people in the au- major book prize - which was handy, to say plate. They have to get involved for it to be dience, and we don’t make it too silly for the 30 whatsonlive.co.uk Tall Stories' Happy Birthday Toby Mitchell.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:06 Page 2

by Lauren Cole TO TALL STORIES!

Wilde Creatures The Snow Dragon Room on the Broom

believable. It’s so rare to get a complaint “The Snail And The Whale is another Julia we’ve set the minimum age guide at 12-plus, about our shows now, which is wonderful. Donaldson title, but audiences get something so it’s still something that caters for lots of It’s great that the show is still 80% the same else from Tall Stories that they also enjoy. We people. as it was 17 years ago, when it first went on make it clear on all our publicity material “We did a preview in London a few weeks be- stage. It’s just a case of making sure we rein- that there is this extra story added on top of fore the Fringe, to what we thought was vent enough of it to keep it relevant and mod- the Julia Donaldson one, and that we’ve obvi- going to be a very tough crowd of South Lon- ern, so that people keep on coming.” ously consulted Julia about it and that she’s don school kids. Again, I think because we happy with it. That’s a definite favourite - a Tall Stories are often approached to adapt took them seriously, they were completely on well-loved story in a fresh way.” children’s picture books into theatre produc- board. It was joyous to watch because we tions. Luckily for Midlanders, two more of Toby’s thought they were going to be quite a de- all-time favourite Tall Stories productions are manding audience - and actually they were a “Whatever themes can be plucked out of a coming to the region very soon... demanding audience, but what they were de- story always create resonances if it’s a strong manding was a good story. So that’s the aim story. We’re quite well known as book “Wilde Creatures has four acting-musicians for our 21st birthday - to do a more grown-up adapters, and that’s despite the fact that only who’re extremely talented and manage to, show, seeing as we’re hitting ‘proper’ adult- a third of our shows are based on picture with our help, bring Oscar Wilde’s stories to hood. Then we’re hoping that the two shows books. The other two-thirds are popular fairy- life in a very imaginative and modern way. will tour together.” tales or things we’ve made up ourselves. We There’s also Emily Brown And The Thing (see do turn down people if their book hasn’t got a pages 32/33), a really lovely story about a Toby is optimistic about the future of Tall strong enough plot.” child who’s scared of the dark at bedtime and Stories. the way she overcomes it. Sometimes, however, extra layers can be “The aim is to continue to give audiences added to the story to make it suitable for the “With all my favourites, there’s a seamless- shows that they’re enjoying. The challenge stage. ness to them; although the stories are com- for the future is to get more shows in, to keep plex and there are lots of scene changes and on creating by seeing if there are any other “The way we made it work with The Snail props, we make it flow over that hour so that great picture books out there, or any other And The Whale was to tell the story through it doesn’t seem clunky. But that doesn’t mean stories we want to make up ourselves, and to the eyes of a young girl and her father, who’s it’s simple! We look like swans from the front, always be reinventing. Here’s to the next 21 in the navy. So in the story, the snail wants to but you don’t realise how much furious pad- years!” go on a trip around the world, so hitches a dling is going on behind the scenes! ride on the tail of a whale. This reflects how the girl would rather be with her dad than “For our 21st birthday, we took Wilde Crea- stuck in her bedroom, so there’s a process tures and the premier of The Canterville where we added emotional resonance to that Ghost to the Fringe. Wilde Creatures had a For more information and to find out story. In that case, there was a way for us to run in London last Christmas because there when the next Tall Stories production is make it work on stage, but the power of the was a big Oscar Wilde season. The Canter- coming to a theatre near you, story always has to come first when we make ville Ghost uses the same cast as Wilde Crea- visit tallstories.org.uk our shows. tures. We’ve set it as a grown-ups’ show, but whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Emily Brown and the Thing interview.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:13 Page 1

32 whatsonlive.co.uk Emily Brown and the Thing interview.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:13 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

Emily Brown And The Thing! It’s time for another adventure with award-winning theatre company Tall Stories. Join Emily Brown and her rabbit, Stanley, on their quest to find the key ingredients to a good night’s sleep... What’s On spoke to Sophie Alice, who plays Emily, about hit production Emily Brown And The Thing, which is coming to the Midlands over Christmas...

Young Emily Brown and her best pal, toy and music in there, just to add to the mainly the feeling is one of excitement. Yes, rabbit Stanley, discover a Thing crying production element as a whole, but it’s been there’s always the pressure of reviewing well outside their bedroom window because he kept as authentic as possible.” because Tall Stories are so well known, but can’t get to sleep. Of course, they can’t help as they’re so supportive, I tend not to notice Emily Brown And The Thing features but go on an adventure to try and assist that pressure too much. We really like to physical storytelling that uses not only actors him... create great shows as a team, so overall I’d but also puppets. “What puppets allow you say it’s definitely more enjoyable than nerve- Tall Stories’ version of the book, Emily Brown to do is include adventure elements on stage wracking.” And The Thing, is a witty and heartwarming that actors just couldn’t perform in a realistic children’s show that sees Sophie Alice taking way - for example, climbing trees and skiing Sophie has some theories as to why, over the lead role of Emily. “I’d worked with Tall down slopes. It brings a really exciting their 21 years of performing, Tall Stories have Stories before,” says Sophie, “so when they dimension to the play for both the audience been so successful. asked me to do this show, I jumped at the and us as performers. I think it’s very “The company are very passionate about chance. It’s a truly wonderful book. Emily amusing to watch, too - particularly with telling good stories to anyone and everyone - Brown is a fantastic young female Stanley, who, for a lot of the play, has been I think that’s the most important thing. They protagonist. She’s adventurous, she’s strong, upscaled from cuddly toy to full-grown adult have an incredible team of creatives, she’s courageous. I thought it would be man in a rabbit costume, only to be shrunk directors and visual thinkers. They have such brilliant to be involved in a family show that back down to tiny puppet size.” a passion for delivering beautiful messages has such a good female role at the heart of it. Sophie is thoroughly enjoying her time in the on stage, and I think that’s at the core of I just figured it would be such a rewarding production: “I get to go on three different what’s allowed Tall Stories to flourish.” role to play.” adventures, so what’s not to like? Really Currently, Sophie’s plans don’t extend The production is adapted from the book by immersing myself in those worlds is just so beyond a future spent with Emily Brown and Cressida Cowell, the author behind the exciting. We have so much fun playing our her friends. famous How To Train Your Dragon series. characters. It’s not put on at all; a lot of the emotion you see on stage isn’t even acting. “We’re taking the show to America and “The original cast worked with Cressida and We’re just having the best time, and it means Canada after Christmas. That’s a five-month the book’s illustrator, Neal Layton, to make a lot to us if the audience has as much fun tour, so that takes me up to May next year. sure the production was respectful and in watching the show as we do performing it.” After that, who knows? All I know is that keeping with the world of Emily Brown as Emily Brown and myself have an amazing seen in the original book. If you look at the Tall Stories’ version of Emily Brown And The adventure ahead of us!” pictures in the book and then come to see the Thing has been met with widespread critical show, there’s a striking resemblance between acclaim wherever it’s been presented. the characters, and we’ve tried to do that “I wasn’t in the original cast, but I was in the with the actual content also. Almost all the Emily Brown And The Thing shows at second cast, which did a UK tour followed by words from the book are in the stage version. Birmingham Hippodrome from Monday 17 the Sydney Opera House and Wisconsin. So Obviously, some of the characters have been December to Sunday 6 January. there are a few nerves now I’m returning, but extended, and we’ve got some original songs

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Dance previews from around the region Dance

Rosie Kay: MK Ultra The Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 20 & Fri 21 September; Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, Tues 25 September This critically acclaimed offering from Rosie Kay’s highly regarded local ensemble has been inspired by ‘the bizarre realm of pop culture, mind-control conspiracies and Illuminati imagery’. Commenting on the show, Artistic Director Rosie said: “MK Ultra is the result of three years of in- tense research which has taken me through the world of surveillance, state police, torture and brainwashing, to pop culture, mainstream media and celebrity breakdowns, then all the way back to politics and a comment on the post-culturism state we are now in. “At a time when everything is fake, or at least we don’t trust what’s real anymore, MK Ultra looks at what this world really feels like - and what ef- fect it is having on us, whether we know it or not.”

Fagin’s Twist Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 28 & Sat 29 September “I’ve always been excited by the idea of retelling a popular tale,” says Tony Adigun, the artistic director of innovative hip-hop and contemporary dance company Avant Garde. “I wanted to add a mischievous twist that would play with and challenge the audience’s perspectives on a much-loved classic.” The classic to which he refers is Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, which Adigun and his company are here reimagining. The piece delves deep into the backstories of the novel’s most prominent characters: Oliver, Fagin, Bill, Nancy and the Artful Dodger. “We’ve examined the relationships between the five of them,” explains Adigun. “The backstories will allow the dancers who’re playing these dynamic people to be engrossed by the characters and to really embody the roles.” New English Ballet Sampad: Double Bill Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tues 18 September MAC, Birmingham, Mon 24 September Sampad’s latest production, bringing to- New English Ballet here performs two works gether the classical and contemporary, that should perfectly showcase the company’s showcases the ability of ‘the most excit- impressive talent and versatility. ing young talent in South Asian dance’. The Four Seasons features recomposed music A story of love and devotion is explored by Max Richter and bold choreography from in TRI, via a series of solos and emotive Jenna Lee... duets. EKA, meanwhile, presents a show Performed alongside it is Remembrance, a of female unity and strength ‘through new ballet created by choreographer Wayne mesmerising movement’. Eagling to commemorate the armistice. The piece imagines the Hindu goddesses Inspired by the story of Dame Marie Rambert’s of learning, wealth and power as they life during the Great War, the piece is set to impact upon a modern world. Handel's Ode for St Cecilia's Day.

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The much-acclaimed Birmingham Royal page and opposite showcase the prowess of Ballet this month launches its new the company’s dancers. We suggest you grab Hippodrome season with two exciting yourself a ticket or two and check out La Fille presentations - one of which includes a world mal gardée and Fire And Fury in person. We premiere. The beautiful balletic shots on this promise you won’t be disappointed...

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La Fille mal gardée Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 26 - Sat 29 September Frederick Ashton’s ever-popular La Fille mal gardée (translated as The Wayward Daughter) is a choreographed exploration of rural life. A firm family favourite, the simple and engaging story tells the tale of Lise, whose mother is desperately attempting to find her a wealthy suitor. But who will win Lise’s hand - the loaded country bumpkin or the penniless but hunky farmhand?... Ashton’s 1960s creation was described by the Daily Telegraph as being ‘as finely wrought an English comedy as My Fair Lady or The Im- portance Of Being Earnest’. Justified praise indeed for a slick comedy that features a clog-dancing dame, a super-cute pony and no shortage of spectacular classical ballet.

Fire And Fury Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 3 - Sat 6 October The old and the new here combine for what promises to be an evening of truly memorable dance. David Bintley’s The King Dances focuses on the young King Louis XIV of France as he dances the role of the Sun God in a spectacular court entertainment... The second production is Ignite, by up-and-coming choreographer Juanjo Arqués. Presented as part of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s innovative Ballet Now programme - and inspired by Turner’s painting, The Burning Of The House Of Lords And Commons - the piece is here receiv- ing its world premiere. Photo credits (top to bottom) 1. Brandon Lawrence and Céline Gittens, 2. Tyrone Singleton and Delia Mathews, 3. Delia Mathews, 4. Brandon Lawrence and Céline Gittens. All photos: Fabio Filippi Singleton and Delia Mathews, 3. 4. Brandon Lawrence Céline Gittens. All photos: Fabio Photo credits (top to bottom) 1. Brandon Lawrence and Céline Gittens, 2. Tyrone

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Film

EDITOR’S CHOICE

The King Of Thieves CERT tbc sooner had the raid broken across the headlines, than a film version of the events seemed almost inevitable. But nobody could have envis- Starring Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Charlie Cox, Michael Gambon, Ray Winstone, Francesca Annis, Paul Whitehouse aged such a mouth-watering cast of England’s knighted and fêted. Directed by James Marsh (UK) The director James Marsh made his mark in the field of documen- The thieves in question are a gaggle of ageing crooks who have the taries, winning innumerable plaudits for Man On Wire and Project temerity to break into a vault in Hatton Garden, London’s jewellery Nim, before directing the Oscar-winning The Theory Of Everything. district. It was the biggest robbery in British criminal history and no Released Fri 14 Sept

Film highlights released in September...

The Nun CERT 15 (96 mins) The Miseducation Of Starring Demián Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Cameron Post CERT 15 (91 mins) Bloquet, Charlotte Hope Directed by Corin Hardy (USA) Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, John Gallagher Jr, Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck, Jennifer The fifth instalment in The Conjuring fran- Ehle Directed by Desiree Akhavan (USA/UK) chise, this supernatural shocker is set in 1952 Having been caught making out with the and features a creepy Romanian monastery. prom queen, Cameron Post (Moretz) is sent to And there’s already talk of The Nun 2. American Animals God’s Promise, an out-of-the-way treatment Released Thurs 6 Sept centre dedicated to curing the gay. Based on CERT 15 (117 mins) the 2012 novel by Emily M Danforth. Starring Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner, Jared Abrahamson, Udo Kier, Ann Released Fri 7 Sept Dowd Directed by Bart Layton (USA) Heists are suddenly all the rage again (think Ocean’s Eight, Logan Lucky), but this one’s based on a true story. Four young fantasists decide to rob a Kentucky university library, as much for the excitement of the crime as for the value of the rare books. The real crooks talk to camera as their escapades are re-enacted on screen. Released Fri 7 Sept

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Film highlights released in September...

The Seagull CERT 12a (99 mins) Superfly CERT 15 (116 mins) Starring Annette Bening, Saoirse Ronan, Corey Starring Trevor Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Stoll, Elisabeth Moss, Mare Winningham, Jon Michael K. Williams, Lex Scott Davis, Jennifer Tenney, Brian Dennehy Directed by Jennifer Yuh Morrison Directed by Director X (USA) Nelson (USA) Following the remake of the blaxploitation Yep, this is an American version of Chekhov’s thriller Shaft in 2000, there are now a slew of 1895 social satire, with Ms Bening as the age- new reboots in the works, with this being the ing actress Irina Nikolayevna Arkadina. The first out of the starting gate. Trevor Jackson film was shot in New York. takes on the role of Youngblood Priest (made Released Fri 7 Sept famous by Ron O’Neal in 1972), an Atlanta drug dealer who attempts to quit the business after ‘one last job.’ For the record, Direc- The Predator CERT tbc tor X was born Julien Lutz in Toronto. Starring Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Released Fri 14 Sept Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K Brown, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen Directed by Shane Black (USA) The human race is in trouble again. The Mile 22 CERT tbc predators - first seen in the 1987 thriller star- Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Malkovich, ring Arnold Schwarzenegger - have upgraded Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais Directed by Peter Berg (USA) themselves by introducing DNA from other species. And now they are intent on wiping A CIA agent (Wahlberg) is tasked with smug- out humankind. gling a police officer with sensitive information out of Southeast Asia. Peter Berg Released Thurs 13 Sept previously directed Marky Mark in the enor- mously efficient Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day. Lucky CERT 15 (88 mins) Released Wed 19 Sept Starring Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley Jr, Tom Skerritts, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman, Sakina Jaffrey Directed by John Carroll Lynch (USA) The House With A Clock Having reached the grand old age of 90, In Its Walls CERT PG Lucky, a US Navy veteran, realises that it is Starring Jack Black, Cate Blanchett, Owen time to come to terms with his mortality... Vaccaro, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sunny Not long after completing this, his first leading Suljic, Kyle MacLachlan Directed by Eli Roth role in some time, the veteran character actor (USA) Harry Dean Stanton passed on, aged 91, adding an enormous frisson to this noble character study. It marks the directorial debut of the actor John Carroll Lynch. Released Fri 14 Sept

Reinventing Marvin CERT tbc Starring Finnegan Oldfield, Grégory Gadebois, Vincent Macaigne, Charles Berling, Isabelle Huppert Directed by Anne Fontaine (France) At the age of 59, Anne Fontaine can consider herself one of the grande dames of French Eli Roth is responsible for such films as cinema, with a portfolio that includes Coco Cabin Fever, Hostel and Death Wish, so it Before Chanel (2009), Gemma Bovery (2014) makes sense that his first children’s film and The Innocents (2016). Here, Marvin Bi- should be based on the Gothic horror novel joux (Oldfield) is not like other boys in his by John Bellairs. The recently orphaned small village and only after a chance en- Lewis (Owen Vaccaro) goes to stay with his counter with a drama teacher does he realise uncle (Jack Black), who turns out to be a that there is another world that can accom- mediocre warlock living in a house contain- modate those who are different… Mlle Hup- ing the secret to the end of the world. Should pert plays herself. be fun. Released Fri 14 Sept Released Fri 21 Sept 40 whatsonlive.co.uk Film September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 18:26 Page 4

Film

Faces PlacesCERT PG (94 mins) Directed by Agnès Varda and JR (France) Agnès Varda is the grande dame of the French New Wave, JR an anonymous artist and pho- tographer who specialises in colossal pictures displayed in public places. Together, the un- likely duo travel round France to capture the lives of the locals and in the process bond on camera. The result went on to be nominated for an Oscar for best documentary of 2017. Released Fri 21 Sept

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Puzzle CERT 15 (103 mins) Starring Kelly Macdonald, Irrfan Khan, David her blob of a husband could have foreseen. Denman, Bubba Weiler, Austin Abrams Puzzle, the film, is not unlike its protagonist. Directed by Marc Turtletaub (USA) Its wider ambitions materialise slowly and The puzzle in question is of the jigsaw vari- while it seems to occupy a modest, even safe ety. It is one of the few pleasures that Agnes mind-set, it has the intelligence to feed out (Kelly Macdonald) allows herself, in between its story in its own time, without pandering The Little Stranger caring for her husband and her two sons, all to the impatient. The result, then, is a splat- the cooking, the housework and her commit- ter of surprises, as our heroine gathers CERT 12a (111 mins) ments to the church. Somehow, arranging all courage to pursue her own dreams and to Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, Will these myriad cardboard shapes into their cor- Poulter, Charlotte Rampling, Josh Dylan find her own voice. In short, Marc Turtle- Directed by Lenny Abrahamson rect order gives Agnes a sense of control, of taub’s subtle, resonant film is a timeless (Ireland/UK/France) finding a way to complete the puzzle of her character study of a woman sidelined by life. The name to note here is Lenny Abrahamson, life. And her new obsession is about to trans- In a good way. form her world in a way that neither she nor the talented director who brought us the grip- Released Fri 7 Sept ping, moving and original (and Oscar-winning) Room of 2015. His new film is a Gothic drama set in 1947 based on the novel by CERT 12a (111 mins) Sarah Waters. It stars Domhnall Gleeson as a Night School country doctor whose life unravels when he Starring Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Rob Riggle, Taran Killam, Romany Malco, Keith David attends a patient at a crumbling manor Directed by Malcolm D. Lee (USA) house. It seems like only yesterday that Melissa Mc- Released Fri 21 Sept Carthy went back to school in Life Of The Party (2018). Now it’s the turn of Kevin Hart and other troublemakers who are forced to attend A Simple Favour night school in order to complete their high CERT 15 (117 mins) school exams. From the director of The Best Starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Henry Man, Soul Men and Girls Trip. Just saying. Golding, Andrew Rannells, Linda Cardellini, Rupert Friend Directed by Paul Feig (USA) Released Fri 28 Sept It’s a case of mistaken inten- tions when a small-town ‘mommy blogger’ (Anna The Wife CERT 15 (100 mins) Kendrick) attempts to solve Starring Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, the disappearance of her Max Irons, Annie Starke, Harry Lloyd Directed by Björn high society friend (Blake Runge (UK/Sweden/USA) Lively). The mystery drama It’s early days, but there’s already some buzz surround- is based on the novel by ing Glenn Close’s Oscar chances for this drama. She Darcey Bell, described as ‘Gone Girl on plays Joan Castleman, the wife of a writer (Jonathan steroids, amphetamines and cocaine.’ From Pryce) who is honoured with the Nobel Prize in Litera- the director of Bridesmaids, The Heat and ture, an event that prompts her to examine her own Spy. life. Based on the 2003 novel by Meg Wolitzer. Released Fri 21 Sept Released Fri 28 Sept whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Visual Arts September-2.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 12:05 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

Out Of The Shadows MAC, Birmingham, 8 September - 11 November The human cost of locking up people with learning disabilities and/or autism is the subject of Polly Braden & Sally Williams’ Out Of The Shadows. “Sally and I spent 2017 driving between Bristol, London and West Bromwich to visit the 10 people that share their stories with us,” explains Polly. “Sometimes we would arrive to find Rodney didn’t feel like seeing us, or Harry had got into trouble and was back in prison. On other occasions we would be happy to see Lindsey preparing for her first day of volunteer work after a life spent in and out of prison. This journey, at times sad and frustrating, could also be inspiring and uplifting.”

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

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Visual Arts

Within And Without: Body Image And The Self Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, until Fri 1 February This is the second exhibition to take place in the museum’s Story Lab gallery, a space that invites visitors to help shape the future of the venue. Exploring the ways in which body image impacts on issues such as social status, gender, stage of life, health, aesthetics, religion, politics and sexuality, the exhibition’s theme has been shaped into a single narrative by volunteers working with staff on the show’s development.

Grace A Williams: Intermission experienceCOLOUR New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 11 November Glasshouse Arts Centre, Stourbridge, until Sun 14 October Standing inside a rainbow, playing with through a selection of large-scale instal- the shadows of an eclipse, exploring relations, displays and experiments, the flection and investigating the mystery of presentation aims to explain the ways in coloured shadows are among the activi- which different colours can influence ties and experiences which visitors to people, and also to pose new questions this ‘remarkably beautiful’ exhibition about ‘the meanings of colour in the can enjoy. world around us’. Exploring the science and art of colour

Journeys With ‘The Waste Land’ The Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 15 September - Sun 18 November Grace A Williams’ two-screen projection focuses Taking as its starting point TS Eliot’s fa- on the gaze of two unknown black men whose mous poem, The Waste Land - written in portraits appear on 19th century photographic 1922, in the aftermath of the Great War - slides found by the artist. Journeys aims to explore the meanings of “Despite being historic images,” explains Grace, the poem and its relationship to Coventry. “their representation in a contemporary context The Waste Land’s imagery of journeys and enacts a reading of race and identity that com- fragmentation, redemption through fire and pletely undermines their original purpose of rebirth, connects with the histories and defining colonial ‘othering’. This feels particu- myths of the city. larly pertinent in a moment where voices eradi- The exhibition shows at the Mead Gallery cated by white eurocentrism - including women until one week after the 100th anniversary and ethnic minorities, regularly lumped together of the World War One armistice. as ‘other’ - are being reinstated.”

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Festival of Imagineers presenting a unique mix of arts and engineering on the streets of Coventry...

Festival of Imagineers brings a plethora of The eyes of the nation were drawn to journey,” Claire continues. “We ran a small- outdoor art and performance to Coventry this Imagineer when they unveiled their project scale festival of invention at that time, which month. All pieces are based around the for the London 2012 Olympics. was to do with the fact that Coventry has merging of the arts with engineering. historically been a very inventive city. We left "The thing that everyone would know us for The festival is now in its fifth year and is a that behind when we did our major Olympic is our Godiva Awakes project for the recurring part of Imagineer’s calendar of project in 2012, where we’d mixed with a Olympics,” says Claire. “We made a massive projects. whole series of engineering companies Lady Godiva puppet and cycled it down to across the region. So it seemed like a natural “Our aims as a company really are to create London. I think since then it’s been a slightly progression to link all our future work to extraordinary, new and exciting outdoor work challenging journey because there was a those engineers, and to explore further the in creative spaces, with the hope of engaging period after 2012 where a lot of funding dried synergy between creative engineers and as broad a range of audience as possible,” up - this happened nationally.” creative artists. says Claire Maddocks, Creative Producer at Despite those funding difficulties, the Imagineer, and the festival’s director. “We “For the festival, quite a lot of the company managed to create a very unusual want to support the development of new performances will use structures or machines and distinct identity for Festival of artists and young people through our work, or other things that have been engineered to Imagineers. but mainly we want to create work that’s create a framework for facilitating really memorable.” “The concept came out of quite a long performance or art of some description. Festival of Imagineers.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:19 Page 2

By Lauren Cole

We’ve managed to really fuse those elements Imagineers presents a balance of local, over the next five years.” together over the years, and I think that’s national and international work. Claire hopes Coventry becoming City of very much what Imagineer is about. I feel it "I do feel like you need to do stuff that’s Culture 2021 will help propel Imagineer, the really makes sense to our audience now, and locally rooted, but is interesting nationally festival and Coventry itself towards new they really appreciate the festival as and internationally. I think the important heights: “I’m really excited because I’ve something a little bit different, quirky and thing is creating a platform upon which there spent almost my whole career in Coventry, unexpected.” can be a cross-fertilisation between local, insisting the city isn’t the cultural desert Each year sees the festival programme take national and international artists. So I think many presume it to be! This is Coventry’s on different themes: "We’re doing two it’s about striking a balance between opportunity to really change people’s themes this year - connectivity and play. The nurturing, supporting and showcasing local perceptions of it. In terms of what it means connectivity part is all about exploring what artists, and bringing in work from outside for the festival, we really don’t know, but connects people, communities, places and that can influence the local art scene, or be we’re hopeful. I think it’s just a case of more. Our theme of play partly links to some influenced by it.” waiting to see what happens.” work the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum are Claire is also optimistic about the festival’s doing exploring the subject. It also links to future. our major new commission, Bridge, where Festival of Imagineers takes place in one of the main things we’re exploring is “We’re exploring a slightly different model various locations around Coventry city creating an environment in which members and different partnerships, so it may become centre from Monday 17 - Saturday 22 of the public are invited to play in the public a festival where you might visit Coventry and September space, or behave differently from usual in stay for the duration. I can’t reveal much else For more information, visit relation to a public space." about what we’re actually trying to do, but festivalofimagineers.co.uk the plan is to grow and explode the festival Claire is immensely proud that Festival of

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS...

CARMEN FUNEBRE REAR VIEW CHILD HOOD Sat 22 Sept Thurs 20 - Sat 22 Sept Thurs 20 - Sat 22 Sept As Imagineer celebrates 20 years of Rear View is a unique, interactive Originally commissioned by Artichoke for working with inspirational outdoor arts experience where the streets of Coventry Lumiere London in Trafalgar Square, an company Teatr Biuro Podrozy, and the UK become part of the performance. Presented installation of illuminated balloons fills marks the centenary of World War One, by IOU, the action happens on a custom- Broadgate. French company Collectif Coin Festival of Imagineers presents Teatr Biuro made conversion of a double decker bus, a are experts in site-specific art, exploring a Podrozy’s most iconic performance. mobile auditorium that turns the city into a dreamy and somewhat naïve vision of the Carmen Funebre is a visceral and brutal stage, as participants are taken on a digital technologies that surround us in exposé of the horrors of war, based on the journey during which familiar and not so everyday life through ideas about body, Bosnian conflict of the 1990s. familiar places are brought to life. sound and light. Events September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 15:16 Page 1

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Events previews from around the region Events

Classic & Retro Show Himley Hall & Park, Dudley, Sun 2 September This popular show presents a selection of 800-plus vehicles and static displays featuring saloons, sports cars, commercial & military vehicles and classic motorcycles. There are trade & autojumble stands too, as well as a contribu- tion from Warwickshire singer Melissa Hollick, who’s promising to get the crowds dancing with a variety of vintage music.

A Place In The Sun Live Italy and Florida, showcasing a wide range of properties and answering potential punters’ NEC, Birmingham, Fri 21 - Sun 23 September purchasing questions. The official exhibition of Channel Four’s popu- Television-show presenters Amanda Lamb, Jas- lar series returns to the Midlands - and it’s the mine Harman, Jonnie Irwin and Laura Hamil- perfect place to negotiate the process of finding ton will be on hand to share their experience The Cycle Show an ideal property abroad. and offer advice, while a panel of experts will NEC, Birmingham, More than 150 exhibitors will be flying in from take visitors through the ins and outs of buying Fri 28 - Sun 30 September locations including Spain, France, Portugal, a property abroad.

Autumn Steam Gala Midland Game Fair Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Weston Park, Shropshire, Thurs 20 - Sun 23 September Sat 15 & Sun 16 September Check out an array of steam locomotives at Sev- As the premier event of its kind in the country, ern Valley Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala this the well-established Midland Game Fair offers a month. rewarding weekend for those with a passion for Attractions include overnight running on the Fri- traditional country pursuits. day and Saturday, an early-morning breakfast The event showcases a wide range of rural attrac- train from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster, an open- tions, including clay shooting, gundog competi- to-visitors Eardington Halt station, and Paddock tions, falconry displays and ferret racing. Showcasing more than 300 ex- Railway and Coalyard Miniature Railway in There’s plenty of musical entertainment to enjoy hibitors, 500 brands and the very steam. as well, with folk, jazz & blues and Celtic & coun- latest bikes and accessories, it’s no try stages all featuring. surprise that the Cycle Show is the Younger visitors can get up-close-and-personal to UK’s biggest cycling event. some beautiful The 2018 line-up of brands fea- birds in the fal- tures Canyon, Orange Mountain conry classroom, Bikes, Oakley, Primal Europe and with other kids’ Dolan, to name but a few. entertainments Main-stage attractions include in- including don- dustry talks, celebrity interviews key rides, a and the chance to pick up plenty bouncy castle of hints and tips about cycling - and bungee from how to get started to safety trampolines. for families.

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Events previews from around the region Events

Every September, thousands of volunteers across England organise events to celebrate the country’s fantastic history, architecture and culture. These Heritage Open Days offer you a chance to discover hidden places, try out new experiences and learn fascinating facts about some of England’s most interesting visitor destinations - all free of charge. Below, we’ve selected a few Midlands highlights from the 2018 edition of the festival.

POP-UP EXHIBITION This year’s exhibition explores the stories of women in Stratford-upon-Avon across six centuries - from Shakespeare’s plays to Stratford’s suffragettes and beyond - torian sideshow full of ‘spectacular and astonish- 400 Years of Aston Hall through the Shakespeare Centre’s li- ing displays’. brary, archive and museum collection. Aston Hall, Birmingham, Sat 8 September There’s also the chance to meet Queen Victoria Craft activities and a Tudor ‘dress-up Aston Hall brings to a close its 400th anniversary and learn about her two visits to the venue - first corner’ are also available. celebrations with The Palace of Curiosities, a Vic- as a princess and then, in 1858, as Queen. SAT 8 & SUN 9 SEPTEMBER, THE SHAKE- SPEARE CENTRE, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON ********************************** OPEN WEEKEND A weekend for steam, engine, canal boat and industrial ar- Trampoline, Tumbling & chaeology enthusiasts. The event fea- DMT British Championships tures engine rallies and displays of classic cars and commercial vehicles. Arena Birmingham, Sat 22 & Sun 23 September Crafting activities take place in the With 13 major medals won at the European Canal Warehouse. Championships, British gymnastics is enjoying a SAT 15 & SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, ETRURIA

brilliant year. INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM, STOKE ON TRENT m Olympic medal-winning trampolinist Bryony ********************************** Page (pictured) is here back on home soil, taking OPEN DAY TOURS Free-entry event fea- on stiff competition from world team bronze turing tours of both the museum and medallists Laura Gallagher and Kat Driscoll. the nearby ruins of Bordesley Abbey. Other highlights include children’s Nathan Bailey and Luke Strong go head-to-head craft activities, various exhibitions, a for the men’s trampoline crown. Malvern Autumn Show family heritage trail and music by local Other attractions include performances by the charity Indigo Arts. Three Counties Showground, Malvern, senior tumbling teams, led by 2018 European Sat 29 & Sun 30 September SUN 9 SEPTEMBER, FORGE MILL NEEDLE champion Lucie Colebeck, and the very best of MUSEUM, REDDITCH A weekend of home-grown family fun is in Britain’s DMT gymnasts, who’ll be executing ********************************** store at the Malvern Autumn Show. high-flying stunts in a bid for the British titles. MEET 17TH CENTURY COSTUMED CHAR- For green-fingered visitors, there’s the chance ACTERS Meet the musketeer and his to glean some useful know-how from the gar- wife alongside replica arms and ar- dening and floral experts in attendance, as mour from the siege of Oswestry in well as to stock up on plants and bulbs for 1644. On the Saturday and Sunday, winter. visitors can also enjoy a guided walk from outside St Oswald’s Parish. Other show highlights include the Giant Veg- etables Championship, an ‘old tyme’ fair- FRI 14 - SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, OSWESTRY VISITOR CENTRE, SHROPSHIRE ground, free dance lessons and a local arts, crafts & food market.

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Events previews from around the region Events

STORE TOURS Behind-the-scenes tour during which visitors can meet the BCLM Curators, see some of the museum’s hidden treasures and curiosities, and handle objects in the workshop. SAT 15 SEPTEMBER, BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM, DUDLEY ********************************** WOMEN OF WELLESBOURNE New exhibition bringing to life the stories of local women through voice recordings and displays. From the everyday to the extraordinary, the event celebrates the rural Warwickshire community. The Monster There are 42 obstacles in total, including an 18- metre mega-slide, a ‘tunnel of love’ and ‘The SAT 15 SEPTEMBER, CHEDHAM’S YARD, WELLESBOURNE NEC, Birmingham, Fri 21 - Sun 23 September Bouncy Cage of Doom’. ********************************** Release your inner child in a nostalgic bouncy The event also features a selection of street food, MEDIEVAL WALK & COSTUME GUIDED castle experience for adults. numerous cocktails and craft beers, a host of TOURS Discover hidden history in the At nearly 300 metres long, The Monster is one of pop-up stalls, giant adult ball pits and live DJs. village of Yardley on a 2.5-mile stroll the world’s largest inflatable obstacle courses. led by experts from the Birmingham & Warwickshire Archaeological Society. The walk begins at Blakesley Hall, where costumed guided tours will also be taking place. Coracle World SAT 15 & SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, The Glamping Show BLAKESLEY HALL, BIRMINGHAM Championships 2018 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, ********************************** Thurs 20 - Sat 22 September Pengwern Boat Club, Shrewsbury, TOLKIEN & SAREHOLE Visitors to the Fri 14 September 18th century mill can learn about how This major charity event makes a welcome return it inspired Lord Of The Rings author to Shrewsbury’s River Severn for the 11th time. JRR Tolkien’s fictional land of The Organised in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, Shire. the championship sees teams of four paddle a SAT 15 & SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, SAREHOLE traditional coracle boat in a relay race across the MILL, BIRMINGHAM river. ********************************** Also up for grabs is the Richard Bayliss Trophy, EXTRAORDINARY COMMANDERY WOMEN for the team that raises the most money prior to Explore Worcester’s Civil War Story, an the event, and a prize for the best fancy dress. interactive experience with costumed tours in a Grade I listed building. Racing starts at 3pm, with teams aiming to im- Visitors can join one of the Their Sto- prove on the current world record of five minutes ries tours and learn about extraordi- and 20 seconds. Event organisers are hoping to nary Commandery women. raise funds in excess of last year’s £33,700. SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, THE COMMANDERY, WORCESTER Glamping - a more luxurious form of camping ********************************** - has become increasingly popular during the HIGHBURY DURING THE GREAT WAR The last few years and is now a prominent part of Moseley Society History Group com- the leisure industry. memorates the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One with interac- This annual show presents a wide selection of tive displays, living history, and the pop-up, temporary and pre-pitched accommo- chance to research family members. dation solutions, including yurts, tipi and sa- SUN 16 SEPTEMBER, HIGHBURY HALL, fari tents. MOSELEY This year’s seminar programme takes a look at An extensive list of Heritage innovation within the industry, how to de- Open Days events can be found velop a glamping business and ways to create at heritageopendays.org.uk sustainable profit.

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Four Play feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 1 Tom Silverton photo credit: Clive Padden Photography / paddenphotography.co.uk / Photography Padden credit: Clive photo Silverton Tom Four Play feature.qxp_Layout 1 21/08/2018 11:16 Page 2

A play for our times Midlands-born actor Tom Silverton this month makes his Old Joint Stock Theatre debut, playing Michael in a new comic four-hander about sex and commitment in the 21st century. Tom recently chatted to What’s On about this much-anticipated play, and about what audiences can expect...

Why is Four Play a relevant drama for he’s doing is purely physical, whereas spoken to a few friends about their experi- our times, Tom? what he has with his partner is truly loving ences. For my own character of Michael, It explores what relationships have be- and special. who’s obsessed with fitness, I’ve been hitting the gym as much as possible. As for come in the time of Grindr, Tinder, Hornet Can you give us some background to the cast as a whole, people have really etc. They can be a lot more open and fluid, the four characters? and I think that people who were in a rela- been delving into the details of the script We have two couples: Rafe & Pete and An- tionship before this phenomenon kicked and then going away to create these rich drew & Michael. Michael’s my character. off may feel a little bit left behind, as backgrounds for the characters; where Rafe and Pete are in a seven-and-a-half- though they’ve missed out on all this op- they work, their families, their favourite year relationship, and one of them insti- portunity to be so easily promiscuous and bars - anything that’ll bring them to life. gates the idea to involve one of the other easy-going. There are plenty of contempo- couple. Pete is quite adventurous and likes Is Four Play best suited to an intimate rary cultural references in the play, and to pass off the power to Rafe, but he can be performance area like The Old Joint the dialogue is very conversational, which a little uptight and is very sensitive. An- Stock, or would it work equally well on adds to the intimacy. drew and Michael have been together a a larger scale? Four Play exposes the frustrations that can couple of years. Andrew is easy-going and The OJS is the perfect venue for it; the arise for couples in long-term relation- loving, which Michael can take advantage characters are revealing all the intimate ships. Are they involving another member of. He’s often out at all hours at the gym. details right in front of you. It feels like to simply spice up their sex life, or are they you’re right there with them throughout doing it to save an already-crumbling rela- Where does the comedy angle come the whole play. tionship? from? With relationships being a lot more open Relationships aren’t usually one long bat- There’s been a big furore over Jack these days, the definition of monogamous tle, so there’s plenty of playfulness be- Whitehall - a straight man - playing a can be slightly looser. tween the couples. I think comedy comes gay character in Disney’s Jungle Cruise. What’s your opinion on straight men Does the play centre on a throuple or a from tension too, so even if the characters playing gay characters? threesome? What’s the difference? aren’t being directly funny, their sly com- ments, slip-ups and mistakes provide I can understand the frustration from the Without giving too much away, one couple plenty of laughs, along with a few tongue- LGBT community, as it’s important to im- propositions half of another couple with in-cheek moments. prove representation in Hollywood, giving an idea which means there’s a certain everyone an equal opportunity. On the amount of risk involved for them all. How much sexual content is there, and other hand, if they felt he was the very best There’s definitely a great deal of intimacy is there an audience age limit? person to fulfil that role because of his act- for the three characters. I would say a Sex is one of the biggest topics of the play, ing ability, then that’s fair enough. How- throuple is a three-way relationship in so there’s plenty of it explored by the char- ever, Disney may well have played on the every aspect, but a threesome is purely a acters - from kinky things to sensual can- controversy a little to generate publicity, physical, sexual experience. dles, it covers a lot! As for an age limit, it’s which could be considered a little ex- Do the characters in the play distin- at your own discretion, but I wouldn’t ploitative. guish between sex and a loving rela- bring your kids - it’d make for a bit of a tionship? full-on sex-ed. Four Play shows at Birmingham’s Old Definitely. One of the characters gets about What research have you undertaken for Joint Stock Theatre from Wednesday 5 quite a bit, but he still saves ‘something’ the role? to Saturday 8 September. intimate for his partner. He believes what Well, I haven’t signed up to Grindr, but I’ve The List Cover September Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:50 Page 1 The List Cover September Wolves_Shrops_Staffs.qxp_Layout 1 17/08/2018 13:50 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide Septemberptember 22018018 thelist

Joe Lycett plays Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent - Thursday 6 September & Dudley Town Hall - Friday 7 September

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 September Mon 10 to Sun 16 September Mon 17 to Sun 23 September Mon 24 to Sun 30 September

Peaky Blinders Night at Black An Evening with Ant Middleton Ross Noble at Russell Watson at the Country Living Museum, Dudley at Regent Theatre, Stoke Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Fri 7 - Sat 8 September Fri 14 September Thurs 20 - Fri 21 September Mon 24 September

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thelist THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER

both a medium and metaphor, Sat 29 Visual Arts Sept - Tues 30 Oct Himley Hall & Park, Dudley THE DUDLEY SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Exhi- The Willow Art Gallery, bition of work by society members, Oswestry until Sat 22 Sept NEW AUTUMN OPEN EXHIBITION 2018 Showcasing work by OutlineArt, a New Art Gallery - Walsall group of professional artists who live on the borders of Cheshire East and ANDREW TIFT: IMMORTALISE Andrew Staffordshire, Sat 15 Sept - Sat 27 presents a range of paintings, draw- Oct ings, photographs and sketchbooks NEW WAR & CONFLICT, POETRY & PEACE which combine his love of portraiture AS PART OF WILFRED OWEN FESTIVAL with experimental works, until Sun 2 Exhibition of remembrance and com- Sept memoration to mark the centenary of CORNELIA PARKER: THIRTY PIECES OF Wilfred Owen’s death and armistice SILVER (2015) Cornelia has here re-ap- day, Sat 15 Sept - Sun 11 Nov propriated a group of found glass photographic negatives of antique sil- verware, continuing her interest in Wolverhampton Art Gallery Lisbee Stainton - Lichfield Guildhall objects and their histories, the mate- SLAVES OF FASHION: NEW WORKS BY rial of silver and the medium of pho- THE SINGH TWINS Exhibition exploring 3 Sept, Theatre Sev- T.REXTASY Fri 7 Sept, tography, until Sun 2 Dec the history of Indian textiles, Empire, ern, Shrewsbury Prince Of Wales Cen- MAHTAB HUSSAIN - MITTI KA GHAR Ex- enslavement, luxury consumerism, Gigs GREG RUSSELL & CIA- tre, Cannock hibition extending from Mahtab Hus- and the contemporary relevance of THE KAISER CHIEFS Sat RAN ALGAR Mon 3 THE SMALL FAKERS Fri 7 sain’s Floor Three exhibition, Going these issues in the modern world, 1 Sept, Wolverhamp- Sept, Stafford Gate- Sept, The Night Owl, Back Home To Where I Came From, until Sun 16 Sept ton Racecourse house Theatre Birmingham until Sun 24 Feb CONTEMPORARY COLLECTIONS Display BLAKE - THE ANNIVER- highlighting paintings, drawings, pho- WET WET WET’S THE THE Fri 7 Sept, Dig- SARY TOUR Sat 1 Sept, tographs and sculptures in the GRAEME CLARK Mon 3 beth Arena, B’ham Newcastle Borough Museum Lichfield Garrick Sept, Newhampton & Art Gallery gallery’s contemporary collections, SYKED FEAT EX LIME- until Tues 2 Oct SAVING ABEL Sat 1 Arts Centre, Wolver- HOUSE LIZZY TIM READ NEW BACK IN TIME WITH TEXTILES Sept, The Asylum, hampton MELANIE TOMLINSON: GHOST HORSES Fri 7 Sept, Eleven, Fashion and textiles collection from Birmingham AND GUNS Exhibition of work by THE DEVON ALLMAN Sandyford, Stoke on the early 1800s to the 1980s, Sat 15 Melanie Tomlinson, who creates intri- THE ZEPPELIN EXPERI- PROJECT, Mon 3 Sept, Trent Sept - Tues 13 Nov cate three-dimensional sculptures as ENCE Sat 1 Sept, The Robin, Bilston LISBEE STAINTON Fri 7 an archive of urban folk tales, until Eleven, Sandyford, INCUBUS Tues 4 Sept, Sept, Lichfield Guild- Potteries Museum & Art Sun 14 Oct Stoke on Trent O2 Academy, B’ham hall Gallery - Stoke-On-Trent WOLVES CELEBRATORY EXHIBITION Cel- FRANCIS & THE FIEND SANDY ALEX G Tues 4 WHITESNAKE UK Fri 7 NEW COMMEMORATING CONFLICT: THE ebration of Wolverhampton Wander- Sat 1 Sept, O2 Sept, Hare & Hounds, Sept, The Slade POTTERIES AND WAR Exhibition explor- ers Football Club’s EFL Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton ing how the Staffordshire potters Championship triumph, showcasing THE SOUND AKA + BRI- SOCCER MOMMY Tues 4 U2-2 Fri 7 Sept, The chose to commemorate the wars of a selection of photographs from the TANNIA BEAT Sat 1 Sept, Hare & Hounds, Robin, Bilston the 18th and 19th centuries, Sat 22 club’s end-of-season open-top bus Sept, The Robin, Bil- Birmingham THE RHYTHM KINGS + Sept - Sun 18 Nov parade, until Sun 28 Oct ston SERENITY + TEMPER- SPECIAL GUEST OTIS NEW FOR THE FALLEN A 22-metre-long QUEEN STREET A look at the history of TEXAS + IMELDA MAY ANCE + ALIGHT Tues 4 REDDING III Sat 8 Sept, painted wall hanging, depicting a several properties along Queen (SKYLINE SERIES) Sat 1 Sept, Eleven, Sandy- Theatre Severn, panorama of the battlefields fought Street, until Sun 4 Nov Sept, Symphony Hall, ford, Stoke on Trent Shrewsbury over by the 5th Battalion North Birmingham LA GUNS Tues 4 Sept, GARBAGE Sat 8 Sept, Staffordshire Regiment during the Other VISUAL ARTS MARSHALL JEFFERSON The Robin, Bilston Digbeth Arena, B’ham First World War. Plus archives and Sat 1 Sept, Hare & NEW H-ART Exhibition by artist Maggie BARRY MANILOW Tues 4 THE DARLING BUDS + objects relating to the end of the war, Hounds, Birmingham Sat 22 Sept - Sun 18 Nov Davis, Sat 8 - Sun 16 Sept, Lingen Sept, Arena B’ham THE PROCTORS Sat 8 SERPENTYNE Sun 2 Nursery and Garden Centre, Nr Buck- JASON DONOVAN Wed 5 Sept, Hare & Hounds, Sept, The Robin, Bil- nell Sept, Theatre Severn, Birmingham Qube Gallery, Oswestry ston NEW ROOM CURATED BY PETER SALTER Shrewsbury THE COUNTERFEIT NEW QUBE OPEN 2018 Annual competi- OFF THE WALL- PINK Exhibition of works by architects and FASTLOVE - A TRIBUTE STONES Sat 8 Sept, tion inviting artists from all over the FLOYD TRIBUTE Sun 2 photographers in conjunction with TO GEORGE MICHAEL The Robin, Bilston country to submit work on a particu- Sept, The River artists, ceramicists and textile mak- Wed 5 Sept, Stafford SWEDE DREAMZ Sat 8 lar theme. This exhibition features the Rooms, Stourbridge ers, Sat 8 Sept - Sat 6 Oct, Twenty Gatehouse Theatre Sept, The River shortlisted entries, Thurs 6 Sept - Twenty Gallery, Ludlow MARTIN STEPHENSON SAM DRAISEY AND THE Rooms, Stourbridge Mon 15 Oct Sun 2 Sept, Henry NEW SECRET SEVERN ART TRAIL Twice- REVOLT Wed 5 Sept, BROTHERS BEYOND Sun Tudor House, Shrews- yearly showcase for both new and The Robin, Bilston 9 Sept, Prince Of Weston Park, Shifnal established artists in and around the bury PASSENGER Wed 5 Wales Centre, Can- Ironbridge Gorge, Fri 28 Sept - Sun 7 CLARE BOWEN PLUS NEW 100 HEARTS WAR STORIES A Sept, O2 Institute, nock Oct, Ironbridge, Telford SUPPORT Sun 2 Sept, thoughtful exhibition to commemo- Birmingham NIGHTWISHED Sun 9 rate all those who took part in World Symphony Hall, B’ham SABBRA CADABRA Thurs Sept, The Robin, Bil- War One. Textile artists interpret the THE GREATEST SHOW- 6 Sept, The Robin, Bil- ston stories using cloth and thread as MAN - IN CONCERT Mon ston 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Shropshire Sat 1 - Sun 9 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 13:50 Page 2

Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 September

GEORGE EGG Sat 8 Sept, The Old Rep Classical Music Theatre, Birmingham MO GILLIGAN Sat 8 Sept, New Alexan- LICHFIELD PROMS Free annual out- dra Theatre, Birmingham door concert that takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Beacon ADAM BLOOM, SARAH KEYWORTH, MIKE Park, Sat 1 Sept, Beacon Park, Lich- NEWALL & FREDDY QUINNE Sat 8 Sept, field The Comedy Loft, Birmingham A FRENCH ACCENT ON THE CLASSICS ALFIE MOORE Sat 8 Sept, MAC Birm- Featuring Birmingham Conservatoire ingham pianists Domonkos Csabay & Connor ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 8 Sept, The Wilcox. Programme includes works Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent, by Handel, Chopin & Debussy, Thurs Staffs 6 Sept, Royal Birmingham Conserva- JEREMY HARDY Sun 9 Sept, The Old toire Rep Theatre, Birmingham G4 Fri 7 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury STAR WARS Michael Seal and the CBSO perform John Williams’ music from all eight films, Sat 8 Sept, Re- Theatre gent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent DIAMONDS ARE FOR ERIC Eric is taking PROMS & PROSECCO IN THE PARK Fea- his new lady on holiday, so finds the turing Newport Male Voice Choir, cheapest deal..., until Sat 1 Sept, Mary-Jess Leaverland (soprano), New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- Jack Foley (tenor), local community Lyme Joe Lycett - Dudley Town Hall choir A Choired Taste & electric- acoustic string quartet String Infu- THE FULL MONTY Musical adaptation Birmingham BROTHERS BEYOND Celebrating 50 of the hit film of the same name, until sion, Sat 8 Sept, Chetwynd Deer THE RESISTABLE RISE OF ARTURO UI years of Joseph & The Amazing Sat 1 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Park, Newport, Shropshire Bertolt Brecht’s satire about the rise Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sun 9 Sept, Birmingham of Hitler, Tues 4 - Sat 15 Sept, The Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock JERSEY BOYS Internationally ac- Wightman, Shrewsbury claimed musical telling the real-life LADY MACBETH AND HER SERVANTS story of Frankie Valli And The Four Jars Of Clay Theatre Company pre- Seasons, until Sat 8 Sept, Wolver- sents its version of Shakespeare's Comedy hampton Grand Theatre blood-splashed tale, Wed 5 - Sat 8 Kids Show ANDY ASKINS, KEVIN MCCARTHY, STU- THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY Sept, The Blue Orange Theatre, Birm- ART MITCHELL, JOHNNY COCHRANE & Smash-and-grab comedy promising ingham MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal COMIC TCB Sat 1 Sept, The Glee Club, swagloads of laughter, until Sat 8 Shakespeare Company's award-win- FORBIDDEN NIGHTS Two hours of Birmingham Sept, The REP, Birmingham ning musical, until Sat 8 Sept, Birm- ‘thrilling action and provocative ingham Hippodrome LIVE AT HOT WATER SPECIAL Sat 1 MACBETH Starring Christopher Eccle- choreography’, Thurs 6 Sept, Theatre Sept, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ston and Niamh Cusack, until Tues Severn, Shrewsbury TIDDLER AND OTHER TERRIFIC TALES ADAM ROWE, STEVE HALL, MANDY 18 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Featuring live music, puppetry and a GOODNIGHT MISTER TOM Amateur host of colourful characters from Julia KNIGHT & COMIC TBC Sat 1 Sept, The Stratford-upon-Avon staging of Michelle Magorian’s Donaldson & Axel Scheffler’s best- Comedy Loft, Birmingham ROMEO AND JULIET Contemporary pro- wartime tale, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Sept, loved titles, Thurs 30 Aug - Sat 1 duction of Shakespeare's story of ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 1 Sept, The Stourbridge Town Hall Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham love at first sight, until Fri 21 Sept, Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN UGLY Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Strat- TELETUBBIES LIVE Join Tinky Winky, Staffs B*****DS! Join Cattle Productions for ford-upon-Avon Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po as they ex- JOE LYCETT Thurs 6 Sept, Victoria Hall, some rude’n’crude fun & frolics... Fri plore their magical world, Sat 1 - Sun THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR David Stoke-on-Trent 7 Sept, Theatre On The Steps, Bridg- 2 Sept, Oakengates Theatre at The Troughton stars as Falstaff, until Sat ROSS NOBLE Thurs 6 Sept, Oaken- north, Shropshire Place, Telford, Shropshire 22 Sept, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, gates Theatre at The Place, Telford, TARTUFFE Brand new version of Stratford-upon-Avon THE SNAIL & THE WHALE A Tall Stories Shropshire Moliere's provocative French classic, musical production inspired by the TAMBURLAINE Michael Boyd returns to JARLATH REGAN, ANDREW O'NEILL & relocated to Birmingham's modern- bestselling picture book by Julia the RSC to direct a new staging of COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- day Pakistani Muslim community, Fri Donaldson & Axel Scheffler, Sat 1 - Christopher Marlowe’s famous play, SON Thurs 6 Sept, The Glee Club, 7 Sept - Sat 23 Feb, The Swan The- Sun 2 Sept, MAC, Birmingham until Sat 1 Dec, Royal Shakespeare B’ham atre Stratford, Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon THE ENORMOUS TURNIP Stuff And Non- KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY NIGHT Thurs QUEENS OF THE COAL AGE Maxine sense Theatre Company return with UNCLE BEN'S FAMILY FEUD Comedy fol- 6 Sept, Stourbridge Town Hall Peake’s powerful play about four unswerving energy, live music and lowing the ups and downs of family women taking a stand in the face of a eccentric puppetry, Sun 9 Sept, Lich- JONNY AWSUM, ANDREW BIRD, LUKAS life, Thurs 30 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, The changing world, Fri 7 - Sat 29 Sept, field Garrick KIRKBY & SEAN MORAN Thurs 6 Sept, Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under- The George Hotel, Lichfield JOHN EDWARD - PSYCHIC MEDIUM Sun Lyme IAIN STIRLING Fri 7 Sept, The REP, 2 Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, Birm- THE 39 STEPS The Crescent Theatre Birmingham ingham Company present John Buchanan’s JOE LYCETT Fri 7 Sept, Dudley Town MRS BEETON, MY SISTER The story of tale of treachery, spies and dastardly Dance Hall Isabella Beeton’s surprising life, Sun deeds, Sat 8 - Sat 15 Sept, Crescent QUEST Unique family show fusing 2 Sept, Chelmarsh Parish Hall, Nr Theatre, Birmingham PAUL TONKINSON & JONNY AWSUM Fri 7 morris, clog and sword dancing with Bridgnorth, Shropshire Sept, Enginuity Museum, Ironbridge, CONJUGAL RIGHTS Amateur staging of popping, locking, breaking and mar- Shropshire MEEK A haunting story of ruthless Roger Hall’s single-set farce concern- tial arts, to the beat of new songs and JARLATH REGAN, ANDREW O'NEILL, OLA state control, tense friendships and ing a couple about to celebrate their traditional melodies, Sat 1 Sept, & GEORGE ZACH Fri 7 - Sat 8 Sept, The one woman's determination not to be 21st wedding anniversary, Sat 8 - Sat Stourbridge Town Hall Glee Club, Birmingham broken, Tues 4 - Sat 8 Sept, The REP, 15 Sept, Oldbury Rep whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Shropshire Sat 1 - Sun 9 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 14:01 Page 3

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thelist Saturday 1 - Sunday 9 September ment from the Roaring 20s, Fri 7 - Sat your scout pack to Enginuity for a Talks Events 8 Sept, Black Country Living Mu- hands-on workshop session every seum, Dudley Saturday, Sat 8 Sept - Sat 20 Oct, En- AN EVENING WITH ADAM HENSON Join BACKSTAGE TOUR Journey behind the ginuity Museum, Ironbridge, Shrop- Adam as he shares stories about his scenes at one of Britain's premier shire farming life, his TV career and the producing theatres, Sat 1 Sept, The WAKE UP THE ZOO Go behind the running of the Cotswold Farm Park, REP, Birmingham scenes courtesy of an early-morning Thurs 6 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall CARIBBEAN NIGHT Grass skirts and guided tour, Sun 9 Sept, Dudley Zoo- AN EVENING WITH SIR MICHAEL PARKIN- loud shirts at the ready! Sat 1 Sept, logical Gardens SON In conversation with his son, West Midland Safari and Leisure OPEN DOORS Part of the Heritage Mike, and showing highlights from Park, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster Open Days initiative, Sun 9 Sept, Gr- the Parkinson archive, Sun 9 Sept, BAT WALK See the park at nightfall egynog Hall, Nr Newtown, Powys Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury and discover the creatures who come out to play in the darkness, Sat 1 JEWELLERY QUARTER HERITAGE WALK Sept, Dudmaston Estate, Bridgnorth, Sat 8 Sept, Museum of the Jewellery Shropshire Quarter, Birmingham SUMMER NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL - BACKSTAGE TOUR Journey behind the Food Festivals Film DUNKIRK Enjoy a picnic and movie on scenes at one of Britain's premier a late-summer evening, Sat 1 Sept, producing theatres, Sat 8 Sept, The GIN AND RUM FESTIVAL Fri 7 - Sat 8 INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Attingham Park, Shrewsbury REP, Birmingham Sept, Edgbaston Stadium, B’ham MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN (12a) MIDDLE EARTH FESTIVAL Two-day KIDSOUT COLOUR DASH Sat 8 Sept, LUDLOW FOOD FESTIVAL Fri 7 - Sun 9 Comedy/Musical. Starring Meryl event celebrating the life and works Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tam- Sept, Ludlow Castle, South Shrop- Streep, Lily James. Old Market Hall, of JRR Tolkien and his connections to worth, Staffs shire Shrewsbury, until Sat 8 Sept the city of Birmingham, Sat 1 - Sun 2 PRISON BREAK Escape from a real, ALE, CIDER & GIN FESTIVAL Sat 8 Sept, CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) Sept, Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, Birm- fully working, operational jail, Sat 8 Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Adventure/Comedy. Starring Hayley ingham Sept, The Dana Prison, Shrewsbury TAMWORTH FOOD GUSTO FESTIVAL Sat Atwell, Ewan McGregor. Light House WORLD WAR DAY Featuring music, 8 - Sun 9 Sept, Tamworth Castle, Media Centre, Wolverhampton, Fri 24 trade stalls and activities, with high- Staffordshire Aug - Thurs 6 Sept; Old Market Hall, lights including displays and re-en- Shrewsbury, Fri 24 - Thurs 6 Sept actments as well as a selection of HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACA- civilian and military vehicles, Sun 2 TION (PG) Animation/Comedy. With Sept, Bantock House & Park, Wolver- the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy hampton Music Festivals Samberg. Wem Town Hall, North FESTIVAL OF 1000 CLASSIC CARS & Shropshire, Fri 31 Aug - Sat 1 Sept & NORTH WEST CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE COVENTRY GODIVA FESTIVAL Line-up in- Mon 3 Sept SHOW Unparalleled selection of clas- cludes Editors, Jake Bugg, Ronan GLASS ENGRAVING Ideal for beginners Keating, Jonas Blue, Gabrielle, Pro- MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT (12A) sic cars and bikes, Sun 2 Sept, Chol- Sat 8 Sept, Black Country Living Mu- fessor Green & Blood Red Shoes, Fri Action/Adventure. Starring Tom mondeley Castle seum, Dudley 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, War Memorial Cruise, Henry Cavill. Wem Town Hall, CLASSIC VEHICLE SHOW Classic & retro Park, Coventry North Shropshire, Fri 31 Aug & Tues show presenting a fine selection of FUN DOG SHOW & FETE Sat 8 Sept, Bo- 4 Sept; Festival Drayton Centre, Mar- over 800 vehicles as well as trade denham Arboretum, Kidderminster MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- ket Drayton, Shropshire, Fri 7 Sept and autojumble stands, Sun 2 Sept, ALE, CIDER & GIN FESTIVAL Sat 8 Sept, cludes Levellers, Nick Mulvey, Teenage Fanclub, Show Of Hands, MADAME (15) Comedy/Drama. Star- Himley Hall & Park, Dudley Blakesley Hall, Birmingham Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, ring Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel. Light ON THE BUSES All aboard for vintage SHUGBOROUGH ESTATE HERITAGE OPEN Skinny Lister, Willy Mason & more... House Media Centre, Wolverhamp- buses at Bewdley! Sun 2 Sept, Sev- DAY Sat 8 Sept, Shugborough His- Fri 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, Moseley ton, Fri 31 Aug - Thurs 6 Sept ern Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kid- toric Working Estate, Stafford Park, Birmingham THE CHILDREN ACT (12a) Drama. Star- derminster AMIR KHAN VS SAMMY VARGAS Sat 8 OFF THE TRACKS SUMMER FESTIVAL ring Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci. SPITFIRE FAMILY RUN Gentle 1K run, Sept, Arena Birmingham Line-up includes Transglobal Under- Light House Media Centre, Wolver- Sun 2 Sept, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- 400 YEARS OF ASTON HALL: ROLL UP! ground, Jon Otway & His Little Big hampton, Fri 31 Aug - Thurs 6 Sept hampton ROLL UP! Featuring a Victorian Band, Dreadzone, Mad Dog Mcrea & HEART BEATS LOUD (PG) Drama/Music. AUTUMN FAIR Featuring brands, new sideshow, Sat 8 Sept, Aston Hall, more... Fri 31 Aug - Sun 2 Sept, Don- Starring Nick Offerman, Kiersey products, retail insight and ‘endless Birmingham ington Park Farmhouse, Castle Don- Clemons. MAC, Birmingham, Fri 31 inspiration’, Sun 2 - Wed 5 Sept, BAT WALK Discover the creatures who ington, Derbyshire Aug - Thurs 6 Sept NEC, Birmingham come out to play in the darkness, Sat ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTIVAL Line-up THE POST (12a) Bi- BACKSTAGE TOUR Journey behind the 8 Sept, Dudmaston Estate, Bridg- includes Vince Ripper & The Rodent ography/Drama. scenes at one of Britain's premier north, Shropshire Show, Mr Strange, Syteria, Poisond Starring Meryl producing theatres, Thurs 6 Sept, RETRO TRUCK SHOW Featuring modern Electrick Head, Underground Zero & Streep, Tom The REP, Birmingham classic trucks produced between BB Blackdog, Thurs 6 - Sat 8 Sept, Hanks. The HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Celebration of 1970 and 2000, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Clifton, Telford, ‘Extraordinary Women’, Thurs 6 - Fri British Motor Museum, Gaydon Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove Shropshire, Sat 1 7 Sept, World of Wedgwood, Stoke- CAMBRIAN HERITAGE RAILWAYS - OS- BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up in- Sept on-Trent WESTRY SOUTH SIGNAL BOX The Signal cludes Oysterband, The Young’Uns, THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE OPEN DAYS AT box is open for viewing, Sat 8 - Sun 9 RURA, Chris Wood, Granny’s Attic & PEEL PIE SOCIETY (12a) Drama/His- SAREHOLE MILL Thurs 6 - Sat 15 Sept, Sept, Cambrian Heritage Railways , more... Thurs 6 - Sun 9 Sept, various tory. Starring Lily James, Jessica Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham Oswestry, North Shropshire locations, Bromyard, Herefordshire Brown Findlay. Stourbridge Town SHIIINE ON BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL Line- Hall, Mon 3 Sept CASTLE TOURS 2018 Fri 7 Sept, Dudley FAMILY MAGIC WEEKENDS Live shows Castle from resident magicians and ventrilo- up includes Orbital, Shed Seven, DARKEST HOUR (PG) Happy Mondays, Julian Cope, Em- PEAKY BLINDERS NIGHT Walk around quists, Sat 8 - Sun 9 Sept, Cadbury Biography/Drama. Starring Gary Old- brace, Reverend & The Makers, the Peaky Blinders film set and enjoy World, Birmingham man, Lily James.The Clifton, Telford, Black Grape & more... Sat 8 Sept, O2 an evening of music and entertain- Shropshire, Sat 8 Sept DIGITAL ACTIVITIES FOR SCOUTS Bring Academy, B’ham whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Shropshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 12:58 Page 1 The List Shropshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 12:58 Page 2

thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 September BRENDON BURNS, MERYL O'ROURKE, Classical PAUL PIRIE & DAN NIGHTINGALE Sun 16 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrews- Music bury CBSO: DVORÁK’S NEW WORLD SYM- PHONY Featuring Omer Meir Wellber (conductor), Gidon Kremer (violin) & Jan Lisiecki (piano). Programme in- Theatre cludes works by Dvorák, Bartók & THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES The Rachmaninov, Wed 12 - Thurs 13 Nonentities present an amateur stag- Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham ing of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes story, Mon 10 - Sat Big Country play The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury & The Robin, Bilston 15 Sept, The Rose Theatre, Kidder- minster CAM Thurs 13 Sept, O2 Birmingham A LOCK-IN WITH TUFFERS AND DAWSON Institute, Birmingham Gigs HANDS OFF GRETAL + Comedy Cricketer Phil Tufnell and rugby star BIG COUNTRY Thurs 13 HIGHTOWN PARADE + CHRIS RAMSEY Mon 10 Sept, The Matt Dawson lift the lid on their FAITH - THE GEORGE Sept, The Buttermar- THE HOWLING TIDES Sat REP, Birmingham hugely successful sporting careers, MICHAEL LEGACY Mon ket, Shrewsbury 15 Sept, Foxlowe Arts Tues 11 Sept, New Alexandra The- 10 Sept, Wolverhamp- RACHEL PARRIS Wed 12 Sept, The WHITESNAKES JOURNEY Centre, Staffordshire atre, Birmingham ton Grand Theatre Glee Club, Birmingham Fri 14 Sept, Eleven, KICK UP THE 80S Sat 15 CRAIG MURRAY, GEOFF NORCOTT & DAN TAJ EXPRESS Brand new musical fea- THE LOW ANTHEM Mon Sandyford, Stoke on Sept, The River NIGHTINGALE Wed 12 Sept, Henry turing Bollywood's greatest dancers 10 Sept, Newhampton Trent Rooms, Stourbridge and the songs of AR Rahman, Tues Arts Centre, Wolver- Tudor House, Shrewsbury DJ ANDY SMITH (EX YOU WIN AGAIN – CELE- 11 - Sat 15 Sept, Birmingham Hippo- hampton DARREN HARRIOTT, MARTIN MOR & PORTISHEAD DJ) Fri 14 BRATING THE MUSIC OF drome COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBIN- ROSE TATTOO Tues 11 Sept, Newhampton THE BEE GEES Sat 15 SON Thurs 13 Sept, The Glee Club, 9 TO 5 The Mellow Dramatics present Sept, O2 Academy, Arts Centre, Wolver- Sept, Regent Theatre, Birmingham an amateur staging of the musical Birmingham hampton Stoke-on-Trent comedy based on the film of the THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Fri 14 Sept, YOUNGBLOOD BRASS ABBA MANIA Fri 14 KUPID THE KING Sat 15 same name, Tues 11 - Sat 15 Sept, Katie Fitzgerald's, Stourbridge BAND Tues 11 Sept, Sept, Victoria Hall, Sept, The Robin, Bil- The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton- Hare & Hounds, Birm- Stoke-on-Trent ston SCOTT BENNETT (PICTURED BELOW), upon-Trent ingham JAVIER JARQUIN & DAVE WARD Fri 14 SOUL'D OUT Fri 14 ARCTIC MONKEYS Sat POP MUSIC A night at the theatre ‘for Sept, Molineux Stadium, Wolver- YUNGBLUD Wed 12 Sept, The Robin, Bil- 15 - Sun 16 Sept, anyone who's ever been a dick on hampton Sept, O2 Academy, ston Arena Birmingham the dancefloor’, Wed 12 - Sat 22 Birmingham DARREN HARRIOTT, MARTIN MOR & Sept, The REP, Birmingham DREAMS OF FLEETWOOD MARLEY REPRISED Sat ADAM HESS & JANEY GODLEY Fri 14 - MILDLIFE Wed 12 Sept, MAC Fri 14 Sept, The 15 - Sun 16 Sept, New SHEILA'S MHS MENTAL HEALTH SHOW 3 Sat 15 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham Hare & Hounds, Birm- River Rooms, Stour- Alexandra Theatre, 'THE ANGER CUSHION' A show combin- ingham bridge Birmingham SCOTT BENNETT, JENNY COLLIER, JU- ing humour and mental health, ex- NIOR SIMPSON & KANE BROWN Sat 15 plaining why life is too serious to be RICHARD DIGANCE - THE MONEY FOR NOTHING FRIDOLIJN Sun 16 Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham NOT BAD FOR HIS AGE Sat 15 Sept, Theatre Sept, Henry Tudor taken seriously, Thurs 13 Sept, TOUR Wed 12 Sept, On The Steps, Bridg- House, Shrewsbury JULIETTE BURTON Sat 15 Sept, The Stafford Gatehouse Theatre The Robin, Bilston REP, Birmingham POPPYFIELDS Amateur staging of north, Shropshire JAYCE LEWIS Sun 16 WHITNEY - QUEEN OF ARRIVAL - THE HITS OF Sept, O2 Academy, TOM STADE, ALUN COCHRANE, JO EN- John Howard’s poignant and re- THE NIGHT Wed 12 ABBA Sat 15 Sept, Birmingham RIGHT & WAYNE BEESE Sat 15 Sept, spectful story about the young peo- Sept, New Alexandra Lichfield Garrick Cornbow Hall, Halesowen ple who gave their lives for their NINES Sun 16 Sept, O2 country a century ago, Thurs 13 - Theatre, Birmingham COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 15 Sept, AC/DC EXPERIENCE Sat Academy, Birmingham Sat 15 Sept, Theatre Severn, ANDY FAIRWEATHER Stafford Gatehouse Theatre 15 Sept, O2 Academy, SINGLE BY SUNDAY Sun Shrewsbury LOW AND THE LOW RID- Birmingham 16 Sept, The Asylum, FREDDY QUINNE, GAVIN WEBSTER, ERS Wed 12 Sept, New THE WIZ Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Sept, MAN WITHOUT COUNTRY Birmingham ALLYSON JUNE SMITH & DAMION Vic Theatre, Newcas- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre + MACIOUS + LOST LARKIN Sat 15 Sept, Regent Theatre, tle-under-Lyme SKATING POLLY - BABE RUSSLE Sat 15 Sept, Stoke-on-Trent FAULTY TOWERS: THE DINING EXPERI- PUNCH - DESENSITISED ENCE A fully immersive, highly impro- INK. Thurs 13 Sept, O2 The Sugarmill, Stoke- ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 15 Sept, The Sun 16 Sept, Hare & vised and site-specific comedy Institute, Birmingham on-Trent Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent, Hounds, Birmingham -theatre production, Thurs 13 - Sat CILLA & THE SHADES OF Staffs MOLOTOV JUKEBOX Sat CEILDH WITH THE REEL 15 Sept, The REP, Birmingham THE 60S Thurs 13 Sept, 15 Sept, O2 Academy, HOT CEILIDH PEPPERS Oakengates Theatre at MARLENE MCKENZIE: LITE Marlene Birmingham Sun 16 Sept, Lichfield The Place, Telford, fuses drama and humour to explore JARET REDDICK Sat 15 Guildhall Shropshire the issue of skin lightening, Fri 14 Sept, O2 Institute, JIMMY OSMONDS 70S Sept, MAC, Birmingham JUKEBOX Sun 16 Sept, A VICAR OF DIBLEY CHRISTMAS - THE Prince Of Wales Cen- SECOND COMING Stage version of the tre, Cannock original TV series, Fri 14 - Sat 22 WOODEN SHJIPS Sun Sept, Hall Green Little Theatre, Birm- 16 Sept, O2 Institute, ingham Birmingham THE PURPLE LIST One-man play for THE TINA TURNER EXPE- health & social care providers, LGBT RIENCE SHOW Sun 16 communities and carers of people Sept, The Robin, Bil- with dementia, Sat 15 Sept, The ston Hive, Shrewsbury Arctic Monkeys - Arena Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Shropshire 10-16 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 14:04 Page 3

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thelist Monday 10 - Sunday 16 September NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Talks Released from Wed 12 Sept, showing at selected cinemas AN EVENING WITH BRIAN BLESSED Join the larger-than-life actor as he THE PREDATOR (tbc) talks about his career on stage and THE KING OF THIEVES (tbc) screen, Thurs 13 Sept, Birmingham THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST Town Hall (15) LUCY WORSLEY - QUEEN VICTORIA - LUCKY (15) DAUGHTER, WIFE, MOTHER & WIDOW The life, the palaces and the rich OPERATION FINALE (tbc) colourful age of a woman who ruled a SUPERFLY (15) quarter of the globe, Thurs 13 Sept, Lichfield Garrick AN EVENING WITH ANT MIDDLETON (PIC- TURED) Join Ant as he shares his experiences as a modern-day explorer Events and expedition leader, Fri 14 Sept, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK AT ASTON HALL Wed 12 - Fri 14 Sept, Aston Hall, Birmingham

HOME ON THE RANGE Discover the 100 Cockpits & Cabs - RAF Cosford, Nr Wolverhampton challenges of feeding a family in the Victorian period, Thurs 13 Sept, Cathedral OPEN WEEKEND A weekend for steam, Black Country Living Museum, Dud- HERITAGE OPEN DAY A free, costumed, engine, canal boat and industrial ar- ley guided tours of the Smith & Pepper chaeology enthusiasts, Sat 15 - Sun HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Celebrating ‘Ex- jewellery factory, Sat 15 Sept, Mu- 16 Sept, Etruria Industrial Museum, traordinary Women’, Thurs 13 - Fri 14 seum of the Jewellery Quarter, B’ham Stoke-on-Trent Sept, World of Wedgwood, Stoke-on- MIDLAND GAME FAIR Premier event of MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL Have a go at Trent its kind in the country, for anyone in- archery or get involved with medieval OUTDOOR CINEMA AT BIRMINGHAM terested in traditional country pur- dancing, Sun 16 Sept, Bewdley Mu- BOTANICAL GARDENS ‘The UK’s most suits, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Sept, Weston seum, Nr Kidderminster luxurious outdoor cinema experi- Park, Nr Shifnal, Shropshire HERITAGE OPEN DAY Bring a picnic and ence’, Thurs 13 - Sat 15 Sept, Birm- HERITAGE OPEN WEEKEND Free entry all enjoy the beautiful scenery, Sun 16 ingham Botanical Gardens weekend, Sat 15 - Sun 16 Sept, Sept, Birmingham Botanical Gardens CORACLE RACE Charity fundraiser on Blakesley Hall, Birmingham HIGHBURY DURING THE GREAT WAR the River Severn, Fri 14 Sept, Pengw- FAMILY MAGIC WEEKENDS Enjoy live Featuring interactive displays, living ern Boat Club, Shrewsbury shows from the resident magicians history and opportunities to research HERITAGE OPEN DAYS Free family event and ventriloquists, Sat 15 - Sun 16 family members, Sun 16 Sept, High- exploring over 1.000 years of history, Sept, Cadbury World, Birmingham bury Hall, Moseley, Birmingham Film Fri 14 - Sun 16 Sept, Hartlebury Cas- HIDDEN AREAS WEEKEND - ATTIC TOURS INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: tle, Kidderminster Discover the rarely revealed attics of THE POST (12a) Biography/Drama. PROMS IN THE PARK Prosecco, straw- Harvington Hall, including the sec- Starring Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks. berries and the Wrexham Symphony ond-largest priest hide ever found, Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, Orchestra, Sat 15 Sept, The British Sat 15 - Sun 16 Sept, Harvington Food Festivals South Shropshire, Mon 10 Sept Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, North Hall, Kidderminster CHILLI FESTIVAL A day of live music, Shropshire THE BAND WAGON (U) Comedy/Musi- CAMBRIAN HERITAGE RAILWAYS - OS- street performances and plenty of cal. Starring Fred Astaire, Cyd 100 COCKPITS AND CABS A rare chance WESTRY SOUTH SIGNAL BOX The signal chilli-inspired food & drink, Fri 14 - Charisse. Wem Town Hall, North to get a closer look inside 100 cock- box is open for viewing, Sat 15 - Sun Sat 15 Sept, Brindleyplace, B’ham Shropshire, Mon 10 Sept pits and vehicles from the collection, 16 Sept, Cambrian Heritage Rail- Sat 15 Sept, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- ways, Oswestry, North Shropshire THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, hampton MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- ring Frances McDormand, Woody YARDLEY MEDIEVAL WALK Join experts Harrelson. Stafford Gatehouse The- from the Birmingham & Warwickshire atre, Tues 11 Sept Archaeological Society in a leisurely 2.5-mile stroll around the village of NOTHING LIKE A DAME (12a) Documen- Yardley, Sat 15 Sept, Blakesley Hall, tary. Starring Eileen Atkins, Judi Birmingham Dench. Wem Town Hall, North Shrop- shire, Tues 11 - Wed 12 Sept HERITAGE OPEN DAY STORE TOUR Be- hind-the-scenes tour featuring some LEAN ON PETE (15) Adventure/Drama. of the museum’s hidden treasures Starring Charlie Plummer, Amy and curiosities, Sat 15 Sept, Black Seimetz. Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Country Living Museum, Dudley South Shropshire, Fri 14 Sept BOURNVILLE HERITAGE OPEN DAY Fea- MANDELA (12a) Biography/Drama. turing living-history experts Gloriana, Starring Idris Elba, Naomie Sat 15 Sept, Selly Manor, Bournville, Harris.The Clifton, Telford, Shrop- Birmingham shire, Sat 15 Sept FREE TOUR OF WEOLEY CASTLE Sat 15 ATONEMENT (15) Drama/Mystery. Star- Sept, Weoley Castle Ruins, B’ham ring Keira Knightley, James McAvoy. ARCHITECTURE TOUR OF BIRMINGHAM Stokesay Court, Craven Arms, South Home On The Range - Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Shropshire, Sat 15 Sept CATHEDRAL Sat 15 Sept, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Shropshire 17-23 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 13:44 Page 1

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 September Classical Music Theatre AUTUMN CLASSICS: CBSO BENEVOLENT TAJ EXPRESS Brand new musical fea- FUND CONCERT Featuring Stephen Bell turing Bollywood's greatest dancers (conductor), Jennifer Pike (violin) and and the songs of AR Rahman, Tues the City Of Birmingham Symphony 18 Sept, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Orchestra. Programme includes Trent works by Shostakovich, Saint-Saëns, BURNING BOOKS Powerful and humor- Wieniawski, Glazunov, Kreisler & ous look at an education system Tchaikovsky, Sat 22 Sept, Symphony buckling under government cuts and Hall, Birmingham targets, Tues 18 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham THE GOON SHOW From the producers of the 50th anniversary tour of Round Comedy The Horne comes another radio comedy classic live on stage, Tues 18 DANNY BAKER Mon 17 Sept, Birming- Sept, New Alexandra Theatre, B’ham ham Town Hall ALL SHOOK UP A Sutton Coldfield Mu- Graham Coxon - New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme KEVIN BRIDGES Wed 19 - Sat 22 Sept, sical Theatre Company Production, Birmingham Hippodrome Tues 18 - Sat 22 Sept, Lichfield Gar- PLUGGED PLUS SPECIAL Birmingham LLOYD LANGFORD, GARY LITTLE, RYAN rick GUESTS Wed 19 Sept, JANE MCDONALD Fri 21 Gigs DALTON & ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 20 JEKYLL & HYDE The National Produc- Symphony Hall, Birm- Sept, Victoria Hall, Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham tion Company put a fast-paced spin GRAHAM COXON Mon 17 ingham Stoke-on-Trent Sept, New Vic Theatre, ROSS NOBLE Thurs 20 - Fri 21 Sept, on a classic story, Tues 18 - Sat 22 A CELEBRATION OF JOHN LUTHER - THE SHOW Sat Newcastle-under-Lyme Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Sept, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham DENVER Wed 19 Sept, 22 Sept, Dudley Town BRASSED OFF Amateur staging pre- SLUG Mon 17 Sept, Festival Drayton Cen- Hall Hare & Hounds, Birm- tre, Market Drayton, sented by Kidderminster Operatic & ROCK FOR HEROES Sat ingham North Shropshire Dramatic Society (KODS), Tues 18 - 22 Sept, Oakengates Sat 22 Sept, The Rose Theatre, Kid- THE GOON SAX Thurs 20 PSYCHEDELIC PORN Theatre at The Place, derminster CRUMPETS Mon 17 Sept, Hare & Hounds, Telford, Shropshire Sept, The Sunflower Birmingham BEYOND THE BARRICADE 2018 The UK’s FRANK SINATRA- HIS longest-running musical theatre con- Lounge, Birmingham DIONNE WARWICK Thurs WAY! Sat 22 Sept, cert tour, Wed 19 Sept, New Alexan- 20 Sept, Symphony TOM CLARKE Tues 18 Foxlowe Arts Centre, dra Theatre, Birmingham Sept, Hare & Hounds, Hall, Birmingham Staffordshire THE LOST HANCOCKS: VACANT LOT Fea- Birmingham ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN KILLERSTREAM Sat 22 turing impressionist James Hurn as LOST HORIZONS Tues 18 Thurs 20 Sept, New Sept, The River Alexandra Theatre, SUKH OJLA, RAHUL KOHLI, ESHAAN Tony Hancock, Wed 19 Sept, Stour- Sept, Hare & Hounds, Rooms, Stourbridge bridge Town Hall Birmingham Birmingham AKBAR & NABIL ABDUL RASHID Fri 21 KICK UP THE 80S Sat 22 Sept, The Slade Rooms, Wolver- NAZANINS STORY The true and ongo- 50 CENT VINCENT FLATTS LAW- Tues 18 Sept, Sept, The Robin, Bil- hampton ing story of Nazanin Ratcliffe, cur- Arena Birmingham, LESS Thurs 20 Sept, ston The Robin, Bilston LLOYD LANGFORD, GARY LITTLE, RICH rently imprisoned in Iran, Wed 19 - DIVAS OF JAZZ Tues 18 SACK SABBATH Sat 22 WILSON & GEOFF NORCOTT Fri 21 - Sat Thurs 20 Sept, Old Joint Stock The- Sept, Forest Arts Cen- HOME FREE Thurs 20 Sept, Eleven, Sandy- 22 Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham atre, Birmingham tre, Walsall Sept, O2 Institute, ford, Stoke on Trent Birmingham JOSH HOWIE, NICK DIXON, RORY O'HAN- TRANZ TALKZ Join prominent queer SARI SCHORR & THE EN- THE MAGIC GANG Sat 22 artist Travis Alabanza for an intimate YOU WIN AGAIN - THE LON & PETE OTWAY Sat 22 Sept, The GINE ROOM Tues 18 Sept, O2 Institute, Comedy Loft, Birmingham dinner of burgers, chips and drinks, Sept, The Robin, Bil- STORY OF THE BEE GEES Birmingham while discussing, reflecting and doc- ston Thurs 20 Sept, Stafford ALFIE MOORE Sat 22 Sept, Lichfield umenting experiences of queer and Gatehouse Theatre TORY LANEZ Sat 22 Garrick BROOKE CANDY Wed 19 Sept, O2 Academy, transphobic public harassment, Sept, The Glee Club, DESPERADO: FROM CALI- Birmingham Thurs 20 Sept, Belgrade Theatre, Birmingham FORNIA TO EDEN Fri 21 - Coventry Sat 22 Sept, Theatre DIVAS : THE LEGENDS MOLOTOV JUKEBOX Wed Sat 22 Sept, Sutton RENT Amateur staging presented by On The Steps, Bridg- Get Your Wigle On, Thurs 20 - Sat 22 19 Sept, The Sug- north, Shropshire Coldfield Town Hall armill, Stoke-on-Trent Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury LEPROUS | AGENT DEMON Fri 21 Sept, FAULTY TOWERS: THE DINING EXPERI- CATHERINE MCGRATH Eleven, Sandyford, FRESCO Sun 23 Sept, Wed 19 Sept, O2 Insti- ENCE Fully immersive, highly impro- Stoke on Trent O2 Institute, B’ham tute, Birmingham vised and site-specific BOTH SIDES NOW PRE- MERRY HELL AND FOLK- comedy-theatre production, Thurs 20 JOYNER LUCAS Wed 19 SENTS THE JONI LAW Sun 23 Sept, Lich- - Sat 22 Sept, The REP, Birmingham Sept, O2 Academy, MITCHELL SONGBOOK field Guildhall Birmingham ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 22 Sept, The REBUS: LONG SHADOWS Brand new Fri 21 Sept, Stafford CLASSIC ROCK SHOW- Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent, play based on Ian Rankin's fictional PUNKS ALIVE PRESENTS Gatehouse Theatre CASE Sun 23 Sept, The Staffs detective, John Rebus, Thurs 20 Sept THE WILD STRAYS Wed BIG COUNTRY Fri 21 River Rooms, Stour- - Sat 6 Oct, The REP, Birmingham 19 Sept, Hare & MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE Sun 23 Sept, Sept, The Robin, Bil- bridge Hounds, Birmingham Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury THE DREAMBOYS Fri 21 Sept, New ston THE BIG WOLF BAND Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham CREEDENCE CLEARWA- TEZ ILYAS, TOMMY SANDHU, SLIM, & THE MIDNIGHT BEAST Fri Sun 23 Sept, The TER REVIEW SUKH KAUR OJLA Sun 23 Sept, The THE SILENCE OF SNOW - THE LIFE OF Wed 19 21 Sept, O2 Academy, Robin, Bilston Sept, The Robin, Bil- Glee Club, Birmingham PATRICK HAMILTON Production telling Birmingham JANE MCDONALD Sun ston ROUGH WORKS: NEW MATERIAL NIGHT the story of alcoholic playwright KYLIE MINOGUE Fri 21 23 Sept, Wolverhamp- Patrick Hamilton, Fri 21 Sept, Lich- BIFFY CLYRO MTV UN- Sun 23 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham Sept, Genting Arena, ton Grand Theatre whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Shropshire 17-23 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 13:44 Page 3

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thelist Monday 17 - Sunday 23 September field Garrick STONES AND BONES Squashbox The- Talks atre fuse puppetry, song and slap- stick in a show about archaeology THE STORY OF LIDICE Dr Kate Vigurs, a and fossils, Fri 21 Sept, Wem Town Second World War historian who Hall, North Shropshire specialises in Resistance and the Holocaust, traces the story of Lidice BEYOND THE BARRICADE The UK’s from the beginnings of Operation An- longest-running musical theatre con- thropoid to today, Sun 16 Sept, The cert tour, Fri 21 Sept, Oakengates Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Theatre at The Place, Telford, Shrop- Stoke-on-Trent shire CREATIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH SATH- FUNNY FACES A double bill of plays NAM SANGHERA Boy With The Topknot based on the lives and loves of two author Sathnam talks about the role British comedy legends, Sid James of the creative industries in urban and Joan Sims, Fri 21 - Sat 22 Sept, place-making, regeneration, educa- Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham tion and employment, Mon 17 Sept, YOUNG HERBERT'S HORRORS A pirate Birmingham Hippodrome adventure with a twist, Sat 22 Sept, AN EVENING WITH SIR CHRIS HOY One The REP, Birmingham of the most successful Olympic ath- MADAMA BUTTERFLY Russian State letes of all time talks about his new Opera presents its version of Puc- book and incredible career in cycling, cini’s tale of sorrow and heartbreak, Tues 18 Sept, Birmingham Town Hall Sat 22 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrews- AN AUDIENCE WITH SIMON REEVE Jour- bury nalist Simon recounts tales from Spirit Of The Dance - Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- Trent STONES AND BONES Squashbox The- more than 15 years of travelling to atre fuse puppetry, song and slap- the most remote and extreme corners JOURNEY’S END (12a) craft of rag rugging, Sat 22 Sept, stick in a show about archaeology of the planet, Sun 23 Sept, Birming- Biography/Drama. Starring Tom Birmingham Back to Backs and fossils, Sat 22 Sept, St John’s ham Town Hall Jones, Sam Caflin.The Clifton, DUDLEY CASTLE & THE STATION HOTEL Church, Bishops Castle, Shropshire AN EVENING WITH PETE WATERMAN The Telford, Sat 22 Sept PARANORMAL NIGHT Evening of para- ONE MAN TWO GUVNORS The Crescent music mogul reveals the never-be- TESTAMENT OF YOUTH (12a) Biogra- normal investigating, Sat 22 Sept, Theatre present Richard Bean’s fore-heard stories behind some of the phy/Drama. Starring Alicia Vikander, Dudley Castle, Dudley adaptation of Carlo Goldini’s play, Sat greatest songs and artists of the Kit Harington. Highbury Theatre, WHISKEY, MALTS & BLENDS Evening 22 - Sat 29 Sept, Crescent Theatre, 1980s and ’90s, Sun 23 Sept, Theatre Birmingham, Sun 23 Sept with local whiskey merchants Nickolls Birmingham Severn, Shrewsbury & Perks Est 1797, Sat 22 Sept, Black NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Country Living Museum, Dudley Released from Wed 19 Sept, showing FORGE EXPERIENCE DAY Hands-on ex- at selected cinemas perience of blacksmithing, Sat 22 Sept, Black Country Living Museum, Dance Film MILE 22 (tbc) Dudley THE FOUR SEASONS & REMEMBRANCE - INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: FACES PLACES (12a) CBEEBIES' RASTAMOUSE LIVE! Plenty of A BALLET DOUBLE BILL ‘A visual and THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS ‘singin', dancin' and jammin'’ as Da musical feast of passion, hope and THE MERCY (12a) Adventure/Biogra- (tbc) Easy Crew look for a new band mem- phy. Starring Colin Firth, Rachel remembrance’ in a brand new ballet THE LITTLE STRANGER (12a) ber. Could it be you? Sat 22 - Sun 23 double bill, Tues 18 Sept, Theatre Weisz. Stourbridge Town Hall, Mon Sept, Cadbury World, Birmingham 17 Sept A SIMPLE FAVOUR (15) Severn, Shrewsbury THE 2018 TRAMPOLINE, TUMBLING & SPIRIT OF THE DANCE Award-winning CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (PG) DMT BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS First- dance spectacular combining Irish Adventure/Comedy. Starring Hayley class performances from both the se- dance with Latino rhythms, Wed 19 Atwell, Ewan McGregor. Artrix, nior squad and up-and-coming stars, Sept, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Bromsgrove, Mon 17, Fri 21 & Sat 22 Sat 22 - Sun 23 Sept, Arena Birming- Sept Events ROSIE KAY - MK ULTRA 'A visually ar- ham resting production’ featuring cos- GREASE (PG) Musical. Starring Olivia SONGS FROM THE MOVIES: INTERACTIVE AUTUMN GIFT AND CRAFT MARKET Sat tumes from Lady Gaga's designer, Newton-John, John Travolta. This is a SINGING SESSIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH 22 - Sun 23 Sept, Bantock House & Gary Card, Thurs 20 - Fri 21 Sept, sing-a-long screening. Abbey The- DEMENTIA Join local musician Adrian Park, Wolverhampton The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hip- atre, Nuneaton, Tues 18 Sept Plant for interactive singing sessions, podrome A FANTASTIC WOMAN (15) Drama. Star- Mon 17 Sept, Wem Town Hall, North ring Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes. Shropshire Foreign language, subtitled. Stafford AUTUMN STEAM GALA Thurs 20 - Sun Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 18 Sept 23 Sept, Severn Valley Railway, Be- For Foodies THE EYES OF ORSON WELLS (12A) Doc- wdley, Nr Kidderminster umentary. Starring Mark Cousins, AUTUMN FOOD FAIR Sun 23 Sept, OUTDOOR CINEMA SCREENINGS Fri 21 - Sarehole Mill, Hall Green, B’ham Beatrice Welles. Roses Theatre, Sat 22 Sept, RAF Cosford, Nr Wolver- Tewkesbury, Wed 19 - Thurs 20 Sept hamtpon CHILLI, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL Featuring artisan market stalls, live ZAMA (15) Drama. Starring Daniel THE MONSTER The ultimate bouncy- Giménez Cacho, Lola Dueñas. For- music, a chilli trail around the garden, castle experience, Fri 21 - Sun 23 cooking demos, a chilli-eating con- eign language, subtitled. Ludlow As- Sept, NEC, Birmingham sembly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri test, a fire eater, a bouncy castle and 21 Sept A PLACE IN THE SUN LIVE Find your more, Sun 23 Sept, The Dorothy ideal property abroad, Fri 21 - Sun 23 Clive Garden, Market Drayton, North THE PARTY (15) Drama/Comedy. Star- Sept, NEC, Birmingham Shropshire ring Timothy Spall, Kristin Scott Thomas. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri CREATE YOUR OWN RAG RUG Join craft 21 Sept experts and discover the traditional

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Wolverhampton 24-30 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 17:29 Page 1

Tuesday 2 October, 7.00pm 1st Sept - 1pm - 3pm Brewhouse Open Day Vienna Festival Ballet : 3pm Film Screening THE NUTCRACKER Tickets: FREE event

8th Sept - 27 Oct Wednesday 3 October, 7.30pm Ruth Singer: Criminal Quilts Danny Baker : Tickets: See website for details GOOD TIME CHARLIE’S BACK!! 11th - 15th Sept, 7.30pm 2pm Sat mat The Mellow Dramatics: 9 to 5 The Musical Thursday 4 October, 7.30pm (5-for-4 offer Tues, Wed, Let's Hang On : THE MUSIC OF Tickets: £12 Thurs & Sat Matinee) FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS 21st & 22nd Sept, 7.30pm LTC Youth in Concert: "A Million Dreams"

Friday 5 October, 7.30pm Tickets:TiTickets:ckets: ££12, £1012, ££1010 SSatat MMtt The Simon and Garfunkel Story 26th Sept, 7.30pm Once Upon A Wednesday: Giles Abbott - Caught On The Horns Tickets: £7adv, £8.50 otd Saturday 6 October, 7.30pm PERFORMED One Night of Queen : 28th Sept, 8pm A Hijinx Production in association with Spymonkey BY GARY MULLEN AND THE WORKS The Flop

Tickets: £10, £8 conc, £5 student Sunday 7 October, 2.30pm Monday 8 October, 11.30am There Was An Old Lady 29th Sept, 6pm Spotlight Academy: Who Swallowed A Fly Heroes and Villains

Tickets: £10

Thursday 11 October, 7.30pm 12th Oct, 8pm The Alter Eagles Standby Theatre: The Room at the Top of the House Tickets: £10, £8 conc, £5 student

Friday 12 October, 7.30pm 18th Oct, 7pm You Win Again : CELEBRATING Maison Foo: THE MUSIC OF THE BEE GEES A Thing Mislaid Tickets: £10, £8 conc, £5 student

Saturday 13 October, 7.30pm Box ofﬁce: Quadrophenia Night : 01283 508100 FEATURING THE ATLANTICS BOOK ONLINE AT www.brewhouse.co.uk Brewhouse Arts Centre Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent Staffordshire DE14 1AA

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64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Wolverhampton 24-30 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 17:29 Page 2

thelist Monday 24 - Sunday 30 September BRIAN DOWNEYS ALIVE The Place, Telford, JASON BYRNE Sat 29 Sept, Birming- Gigs AND DANGEROUS Thurs Shropshire Classical Music ham Town Hall 27 Sept, Eleven, PLANET ROCK PRE- RUSSELL WATSON An intimate evening KUMARSUTRA Sat 29 Sept, The Old Sandyford, Stoke on CHASTITY BROWN Mon SENTS: THE BAD FLOW- with one of the world's most promi- Rep Theatre, Birmingham Trent 24 Sept, Henry Tudor ERS + FEDERAL CHARM nent tenors, Mon 24 Sept, Wolver- ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat 29 Sept, House, Shrewsbury THE TREATMENT Thurs Sat 29 Sept, O2 Insti- hampton Grand Theatre Dudley Town Hall SHANIA TWAIN Mon 24 27 Sept, The Slade tute, Birmingham Rooms, W’hampton TROY HAWKE, ROB THOMAS, ROBIN Sept, Arena Birming- SONGSTERS ON BROAD- MORGAN & ANDRE VINCENT Sat 29 ham SPRING KING Thurs 27 WAY WITH RUTHIE HEN- Sept, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham HORSE FEATHERS Mon Sept, O2 Institute, SHALL Sat 29 Sept, Birmingham Dudley Town Hall ROFL! COMEDY CLUB Sat 29 Sept, The 24 Sept, Hare & Old Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent, Hounds, Birmingham ELVANA: ELVIS FRONTED RED LEMON ELECTRIC Staffs NIRVANA Thurs 27 BLUES BAND - LEGACY PALE WAVES Tues 25 MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE Sept, O2 Academy, CONCERT Sat 29 Sept, Sun 30 Sept, Sept, O2 Institute, The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Stourbridge Town Hall BIGFOOT Fri 28 Sept, BRIAN DOWNEYS ALIVE JIMOTHY LACOSTE Tues CHARLES OWEN Programme includes Eleven, Sandyford, AND DANGEROUS Sat 25 Sept, Hare & works by Bach, Ravel & Schubert, Stoke on Trent 29 Sept, The Robin, Hounds, Birmingham Wed 26 Sept, Ludlow Assembly Bilston WARWICK JOHNSON SCARLXRD Fri 28 Sept, Rooms, South Shropshire Theatre SONIC ACOUSTIC ATTACK O2 Academy, B’ham GIANTS OF ROCK U.S.A RAF IN CONCERT CENTENARY TOUR An BENIDORM Brand new stage show Tues 25 Sept, Eleven, THE SMITHS TRIBUTE 2018 TOUR Sat 29 Sept, evening that charts the development based on the smash-hit ITV comedy, Sandyford, Stoke on Fri 28 Sept, The Robin, The Slade Rooms, of the Royal Air Force from its forma- Mon 24 - Sat 29 Sept, Regent The- Trent Bilston Wolverhampton tion in 1918 through to the present atre, Stoke-on-Trent THE DRIFTERS Wed 26 SCOTT MATTHEWS Fri 28 ERADIKATOR Sat 29 day and beyond, Wed 26 Sept, Sym- NEW NIGERIANS Oladipo Agboluaje's Sept, Victoria Hall, Sept, Newhampton Sept, O2 Academy, phony Hall, Birmingham satire about the state of populism in Stoke-on-Trent Arts Centre, Wolver- Birmingham MENDELSSOHN’S STRING OCTET Featur- politics, Tues 25 - Sat 29 Sept, The hampton WEST COAST EAGLES THE FORTUNES Wed 26 ing Jonathan Martindale, Philip Brett, REP, Birmingham Sept, Theatre Severn, CHELSEA GRIN Fri 28 Sat 29 Sept, Eleven, Kirsty Lovie & Colette Overdijk (vio- SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER Brand new Shrewsbury Sept, The Asylum, Sandyford, Stoke on lins); Angela Swanson & Amy Trent stage version of the hit musical, Tues STARS OF IRISH COUN- Birmingham Thomas (violas) & Miguel Fernandes & Lorenzo Meseguer Luján (cellos), 25 - Sat 29 Sept, New Alexandra The- TRY Wed 26 Sept, Oak- THE SUPERSKAS Fri 28 YOLANDA BROWN Sat Thurs 27 Sept, CBSO Centre, B’ham atre, Birmingham engates Theatre at The Sept, The Buttermar- 29 Sept, Mac, B’ham NIGHTMARE A Lichfield Players Pro- Place, Telford, Shrop- ket, Shrewsbury WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' - CBSO: ITALIAN MOMENTS Featuring shire Alpesh Chauhan (conductor), Pavel duction, Tues 25 - Sat 29 Sept, Lich- UB40 - LABOUR OF LOVE TRIBUTE TO SHAKIN' Kolesnikov (piano) & the City of Birm- field Garrick MAJOR PARKINSON Wed Fri 28 Sept, The River STEVENS Sat 29 Sept, ingham Symphony Orchestra. Pro- MY FAIR LADY 26 Sept, Hare & Rooms, Stourbridge Theatre On The Steps, A Lichfield Operatic So- Hounds, Birmingham Bridgnorth, Shropshire gramme includes works by ciety production, Tues 25 - Sat 29 FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Puccini & THE PAUL GARNER BAND Sept, Lichfield Garrick CHRIS CLEVERLEY TRIO Fri 28 Sept, Festival Respighi, Thurs 27 Sept, Symphony Sat 29 Sept, Ludlow THE FLOP Hijinx Theatre team up with Wed 26 Sept, The Red Drayton Centre, Mar- Hall, Birmingham Lion Folk Club, B’ham ket Drayton, North Brewery, Ludlow, clown supremos Spymonkey to pre- Shropshire South Shropshire sent ‘an anarchic slice of stupidity’, JASON DERULO Wed 26 with live music and ‘unfeasibly large Sept, Arena Birming- VICIOUS NATURE Fri 28 A FOREIGNER'S JOUR- NEY: THE MUSIC OF FOR- wigs’, Wed 26 Sept, Arena Theatre, ham Sept, The Slade Wolverhampton Rooms, W’hampton EIGNER AND JOURNEY LIFESIGNS Wed 26 Sun 30 Sept, The ATLANTIC LADIES A musical play about Sept, The Robin, Bil- AIRWAYS Fri 28 Sept, Robin, Bilston Comedy the true adventures of Shropshire's ston The Castle & Falcon, RICH HALL Mon 24 Sept, New Vic The- 'Atlantic ladies' as they attempt to be- Birmingham ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN ASWAD Wed 26 Sept, Sun 30 Sept, Regent atre, Newcastle-under-Lyme come the oldest female team to row The Jam House, Birm- TRIVAX, BLASFEME & Theatre, Stoke-on- RICH HALL Tues 25 Sept, Oakengates right across the Atlantic Ocean, Wed ingham OPUS MORTIS Fri 28 Trent Theatre at The Place, Telford, Shrop- 26 - Sat 29 Sept, The Wightman The- Sept, Scruffy Murphys, atre, Shrewsbury THE BLUETONES Wed 26 MARTIN SIMPSON Sun shire Sept, The Slade Birmingham 30 Sept, The Hive CHRIS RAMSEY Wed 26 Sept, Stafford AS YOU LIKE IT The Pantaloons pre- Rooms, W’hampton BOBBY "KP" WOODS Shrewsbury, Shrews- Gatehouse Theatre sent an innovative version of Shake- BIG BOY BLOATER AND SINGS RAY CHARLES Fri speare’s timeless comedy, Thurs 27 - bury JAMALI MADDIX Wed 26 Sept, The THE LIMITS Wed 26 28 Sept, Sutton Cold- Sat 29 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrews- Glee Club, Birmingham Sept, Albert's Shed field Town Hall bury Bar, Shrewsbury BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT STEPHEN LYNCH Wed 26 Sept, The ALL SHOOK UP Cannock Chase Drama Glee Club, Birmingham THE LAFONTAINES: THE LIGHT + MONDO ROYALE Society present an amateur staging UP TOUR Wed 26 Sept, Fri 28 Sept, The Sun- JOE LYCETT Thurs 27 Sept, Theatre of the musical fantasy inspired by O2 Academy, B’ham flower Lounge, B’ham Severn, Shrewsbury and featuring the songs of Elvis Pres- ley, Thurs 27 - Sat 29 Sept, Prince Of DEMON BABBU MAAN Sat 29 BEN NORRIS, DAVID TRENT & COMIC TBC Thurs 27 Sept, Wales Centre, Cannock The Robin, Bilston Sept, Arena Birming- Thurs 27 Sept, The Glee Club, B’ham ham EARLY DOORS LIVE The hit sitcom, live RE-TAKE THAT KANE BROWN, ED PATRICK, STEVE HALL Thurs 27 KEITH JAMES THE on stage with a brand new story, Fri Sept, Oakengates The- TALON Sat 29 Sept, & TOM HOUGHTON Fri 28 Sept, The SONGS OF LEONARD 28 Sept, Arena Birmingham atre at The Place, Theatre Severn, Comedy Loft, Birmingham Shrewsbury COHEN Sun 30 Sept, A HUNDRED DIFFERENT WORDS FOR Telford, Shropshire Lichfield Garrick ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri 28 Sept, Dud- LOVE Theatre, comedy and live music REX ORANGE COUNTY SOUL & MOTOWN PARTY ley Town Hall THE NIGHT CAFE Sun 30 combine in a heartlifting story of ro- Thurs 27 Sept, O2 In- NIGHT WITH THE KRYS- Sept, O2 Institute, BEN NORRIS, DAVID TRENT, HOWARD mance, despair and friendship, Fri 28 stitute, Birmingham TALETTES Sat 29 Sept, Birmingham READ & LAURA LEXX Fri 28 - Sat 29 Sept, Quatt Village Hall, Bridgnorth, Oakengates Theatre at Sept, The Glee Club, Birmingham whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Wolverhampton 24-30 September.qxp_Layout 1 20/08/2018 17:29 Page 3

thelist Monday 24 - Sunday 30 September ALPHA (12A) Adventure, Drama. Star- behind the scenes at one of Britain's ring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Natassia premier producing theatres, Sat 29 Malthe. Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sept, The REP, Birmingham Wed 26 - Thurs 27 Sept THE GREAT BRITISH GIN FESTIVAL Sat THE PIANO (15) Drama. Starring Holly 29 Sept, The Buttermarket, Shrews- Hunter, Harvey Keitel. Ludlow Assem- bury bly Rooms, South Shropshire, Fri 28 WAR IN THE VALLEY Annual wartime Sept weekend, Sat 29 - Sun 30 Sept, Chur- THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, net Valley Railway, Froghall, Stoke- MISSOURI (15) Mystery/Thriller. Star- on-Trent ring Frances McDormand, Woody CBEEBIES' RASTAMOUSE LIVE! Plenty of Harrelson. The Clifton, Telford, Shrop- ‘singin', dancin' and jammin'’ as Da Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - The Clifton, Telford, Shropshire shire, Sat 29 Sept Easy Crew look for a new band mem- Shropshire ROSIE KAY - MK ULTRA 'A visually ar- ber. Could it be you? Sat 29 - Sun 30 Sept, Cadbury World, Birmingham SAID AND DONE Sugarscratch The- resting production’ featuring cos- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: tumes from Lady Gaga's designer, atre's two-hander explores friendship, Released from Fri 28 Sept, showing SPOOKY SPECTACULAR Featuring Gary Card, Tues 25 Sept, Forest Arts family relations, maternal ties, sibling at selected cinemas witches, wizards and werewolves, Sat rivalries and ex boyfriends, Fri 28 - Centre, Walsall 29 Sept - Sun 4 Nov, West Midland NIGHT SCHOOL (tbc) Sat 29 Sept, Old Joint Stock Theatre, LA FILLE MAL GARDEE Birmingham Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley, Nr Birmingham Royal Ballet present Frederick Ash- THE WIFE (15) Kidderminster KUKUNOR/KALAHARI Sign+Sound The- ton's final full-length ballet, an engag- TOY COLLECTORS FAIR Sun 30 Sept, atre present a tale of two guards, ing story which remains a firm NEC, Birmingham who, despite their lingual and cultural favourite for all the family, Wed 26 - TUG OF WAR The return of the iconic differences, learn the means to com- Sat 29 Sept, Birmingham Hippo- Clash of the Titans tug-of-war event, municate with one another, Fri 28 - drome Events Sun 30 Sept, The British Ironwork Sat 29 Sept, Arena Theatre, Wolver- BRB FIRST STEPS: A CHILD'S LA FILLE Centre, Oswestry, North Shropshire hampton MAL GARDÉE An introduction to the HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR Guided walk from Stokesay Castle through AUTUMNAL ASTON: RUFUS AND THE BEST OF BROADWAY: THROUGH THE world of ballet for children aged the beautiful Shropshire countryside GOLDEN ACORNS Half a day of activi- YEARS Celebration of musical theatre three-plus, Fri 28 Sept, Birmingham ties celebrating ‘autumnal Aston’, Hippodrome to Stokesay Court, Wed 26 Sept, through the decades, Sat 29 Sept, Stokesay Castle, Nr Craven Arms, Sun 30 Sept, Aston Hall, Birmingham MAC, Birmingham South Shropshire SONGSTERS ON BROADWAY Featuring CERAMIC ACTIVITIES FOR ADULTS Wed West End and Broadway star Ruthie 26 Sept, Coalport China Museum, Henshall, Sat 29 Sept, Dudley Town Telford, Shropshire Hall Talks THE CYCLE SHOW Showcasing the very For Foodies MINI MUSIC HALL SHOW The Nonenti- GILES ABBOTT: CAUGHT ON THE HORNS latest bikes and accessories, Thurs DIRTY VEGAN Loads of delicious vegan ties present an evening of old songs Storytelling night for grown-ups, Wed 27 - Sun 30 Sept, NEC, Birmingham drinks, desserts and freak shakes, Fri and comedy sketches, Sun 30 Sept, 26 Sept, The Brewhouse Arts Centre, BACKSTAGE TOUR: GENERAL Journey 28 Sept, MAC, Birmingham The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Burton-upon-Trent LIVE AGE AFTERNOON WITH SIMON AR- MITAGE Afternoon of performance, discussion & poetry as part of the Live Age Festival, Fri 28 Sept, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Dance LIVING A WILD LIFE WITH COLIN TRI & EKA: DOUBLE BILL Classical and STAFFORD-JOHNSON The acclaimed contemporary Indian dance inter- Irish wildlife cameraman and presen- twine in a dynamic double bill, Mon ter shares unique natural history sto- 24 Sept, MAC, Birmingham ries, Illustrated with his own stunning film footage and photography, Sun RIP IT UP THE 60S Strictly Come Danc- 30 Sept, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ing champions Harry Judd and Louis Smith MBE, and people’s champion Aston Merrygold, join forces to become 'the ultimate boy band of dance', Mon 24 Sept, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Film INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD (15) Bi- ography/Crime. Starring Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer. Edge Arts Centre, Much Wenlock, South Shropshire, Mon 24 Sept PHANTOM THREAD (15) Drama. Star- ring Daniel Day-Lewis, Vicky Krieps. Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Tues 25 Sept IF... (15) Drama. Starring Malcolm Mc- Dowell, David Wood. The Hive, Shrewsbury, Wed 26 Sept Phantom Thread - Stafford Gatehouse Theatre

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