Worcestershire Cover May 2019.qxp_Worcestershire Cover 18/04/2019 12:57 Page 1

YEARS & YEARS HEADLINE Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands BIRMINGHAM PRIDE

WORCESTERSHIREWHAT’S ON MAY 2019 Worcestershire ISSUE 401 MAY 2019 ’ WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On worcestershirewhatson.co.uk

PARTOF WHAT’S ON MEDIA GROUP inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

ROTTERDAM heartwarming play visits Malvern Theatres TWITTER:@WHATSONWORCS

THEA GILMORE globally acclaimed musician stops off in Bromsgrove

FACEBOOK:@WHATSONWORCESTERSHIRE .

BE INSPIRED! RHS Malvern Spring Festival at WORCESTERSHIREWHATSON.CO.UK Three Counties Showground BRB Full May 2019.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:24 Page 1 Contents May Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:08 Page 2

May 2019

Contents

All Aboard - Samantha Womack stars in The Girl On The Train at the Coventry Belgrade... page 22

Venice Preserved The Guilty Feminist Knight’s Tournament the list

gets a contemporary makeover explores 21st century goals at immerse yourself in medieval Your 16-page at the RSC Warwick Arts Centre life at Kenilworth Castle week-by-week listings guide interview page 8 page 21 page 45 page 51 inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 17. Music 20. Comedy 22. Theatre 38. Film 40. Visual Arts 43. Events

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

Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 What’sOn Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 MEDIA GROUP Subscriptions: Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Katherine Ewing, Jenny Ell, Steve Adams, Lauren Cole, Nanci Davies, Jack Rolfe, Daisy Sparkle, Steve Taylor, Chris Eldon Lee, Patsy Moss, Tom Silverton Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. First Word Warwicks_Worcs May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 12:30 Page 1

Entertainment news from around the region

Coventry hosts its first ever comedy festival Coventry is hosting its first ever comedy festi- val this month. Taking place at various venues across 10 days, the event features a mix of standup, improv, musical and family-friendly comedy. Rob Deering gets the ball rolling on Friday 3 May at The Phoenix, where he’ll be present- ing a work-in-progress version of the show he’s taking to Edinburgh this summer... Award-winning Alasdair Beckett-King (pictured) presents his ‘dimension-hopping’ stand-up show at Coventry’s Catch Twenty Two on 5 May while a grand finale at the Belgrade Theatre on Sunday the 12th - featur- ing Tom Allen as headliner, brings this year’s festival to a close. For more information and details of the full line-up, visit coventrycomedyfestival.com

The Bard’s on board... which is being led by Coventry-based writers Vintage vehicles on show Chris O’Connell and Vanessa Oakes. “We’re excited to begin work on City Voices in Stratford-upon-Avon because of both the challenge and the re- A vintage fleet of removal vehicles from wards we’re sure this will bring to Coventry,” across the 20th century will be paraded says Chris. “One of the best parts about work- through Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 25 ing in the heart of a community is the ways in May. which you are both surprised and inspired by Starting at the Crowne Plaza and making its the voices that lie unearthed or hidden in the way alongside the River Avon before turning city.” past Hall’s Croft - the home of Shakespeare’s For more information about the workshop daughter - the parade will include, among A Shakespeare edition of Trivial Pursuit has and future City Voices dates, visit theatreab- other attractions, Victorian Horse Drawn been launched. solute.co.uk Pantechnicons from the 1890s and the only Devised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust pre-war Guy Vixen van still running. in partnership with games company Winning Moves, the popular boardgame features 600 Nigel Slater’s Toast tours questions across six categories - comedies, to Malvern Theatres More cheese, Gromit? histories, tragedies, characters, biography An interactive experience featuring specially and legacy. As well as questions about created animations, live orchestral accompa- Shakespeare’s life and works, there are oth- niment and Aardman Animations’ much- ers that link him to popular culture such as loved characters Wallace & Gromit is heading the Harry Potter film series and TV shows Dr to the Midlands. Who and Upstart Crow. Wallace & Gromit's Musical Marvels sees Wal- lace preparing to perform his musical master- piece, My Concerto In Ee Lad, with help from Theatre on the lookout for A new play based on food journalist Nigel faithful canine companion Gromit. What Coventry storytellers Slater’s award-winning autobiography is vis- could possibly go wrong?... The event also features a screening of the A free-to-attend workshop aiming to bring iting Malvern Theatres in the autumn. Academy Award-winning movie, Wallace & people together to share their stories is tak- Vividly recreating suburban England in the Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, with the sound- ing place at Broad Street Meeting Hall in 1960s, Toast tells the story of Nigel’s child- track being performed by the orchestra live Coventry on Saturday 4 May. hood through the tastes and smells with on stage. The two-hour get-together is part of City which he grew up. The production stops off Wallace & Gromit's Musical Marvels visits Voices - a brand new project by Theatre Ab- in Malvern from Monday 30 September to Sat- Birmingham Symphony Hall on Wednesday solute and the Coventry City of Culture Trust - urday 5 October. For more information, visit malvern-theatres.co.uk 29 May. 4 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwicks_Worcs May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 12:30 Page 2

First Word

A Pint Of Science in Leamington... Public science festival Pint Of Science is this year visiting Leamington for the first time. The popular event, which also takes place in Coventry, will feature talks by experts from local universities on a wide variety of subjects, including Martians, DNA, electricity & magnetism, football, dyslexia, pollution, soil, cells, plastic and paramedics. Commenting on the event, which takes place at various venues from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 May, Alison Phillips, public engagement coordinator at the University of Warwick, said: “It’s great to Midlanders hungry to enjoy The Wizard’s Brunch bring Pint Of Science back to Get ready to experience all the magic of a critically acclaimed immersive dining experience... the region this year and to be After huge sell-out success in Australia and Canada, The Wizard's Brunch is coming to Birmingham running events in Leamington on Saturday 7 September, complete with ‘a fantastic feast’ and ‘wonderful entertainment’, including for the first time. The festival illusionists, fortune-tellers and living statues. is an exciting opportunity for The event will take place at the city's Great Hall in the University Of Birmingham. The brunch is fam- researchers from Warwick and ily-friendly, with under-18s requiring a parent/guardian in attendance. Each ticket includes a meal Coventry to tell their research and all entertainment. Fancy dress is encouraged but guests are welcome to wear whatever they story to a local audience. wish. To find out more about ticket availability, visit designmynight.com There’s some incredible work going on at both universities which will have an impact on Coventry’s Chace people’s lives, so come along to hear about some world- Hotel gets Laura class research developments Ashley rebrand straight from the scientists Laura Ashley Hotels is expand- themselves, and perhaps over ing its portfolio with the addi- a pint and a packet of crisps!” tion of The Chace Hotel in Full listings for Pint Of Sci- Coventry. ence events are available at: The 66-bedroom hotel is under- pintofscience.co.uk/events/co going a major refurbishment to ventry bring it into line with Laura Ashley-brand standards. The interiors will showcase the Dance festival a Laura Ashley Home range and first for Stourport its high-quality inherently Stourport venue The Civic will British fabrics and furnishings. Car fans revved up for Motor Show host its debut dance festival Car enthusiasts are getting revved up for the Ragley Hall Motor next month. Show 2019, which takes place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 May. The event takes place on Sun- Up to 1,000 vehicles are expected to be on display at the event, in- day 16 June and will feature cluding American muscle, kit and custom cars, classic motorcy- dance groups from within the cles and commercial vehicles. Wyre Forest area. Any groups Commenting on the show, Stephen Smith, Events Director for or- interested in performing on ganisers Gemini said: “Set in 400 acres of parkland, woodland the day should contact and gardens, Ragley Hall is one of our favourite venues, and our info@thecivicstourport or call thanks go to the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford for allow- 01299 823 339 for an applica- ing us to bring the Motor Show to this stunning location.” tion pack. For more information, visit classicmotorshows.co.uk. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 First Word Warwicks_Worcs May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 12:30 Page 3

First Word

Summer season Tribute acts appearing at the venue include The Songs Of Flagship gallery to open at Brum’s shows on sale at Leonard Cohen and Beach Boys Mailbox Artrix imposters Surf’s Up... For more information, visit artrix.co.uk The UK’s leading fine art retailer is soon to unveil its biggest West End star Jason Donovan, co- gallery yet in the heart of the Midlands. median/impressionist Jess Robin- Castle Fine Art’s brand new gallery will open to the public on son and Queen of Countdown’s Loose Woman in Saturday 8 June in a 6,000 sq ft space at Birmingham’s Mail- Dictionary Corner, Susie Dent box... To find out more, visit castlefineart.com (pictured), are among the per- Leamington... formers visiting Bromsgrove’s Ar- Loose Women presenter Andrea trix venue during the summer McLean is stopping off at the months. Royal Spa Centre, Leamington, Other highlights of the popular on Friday 7 June to present Con- arts centre’s brand new season fessions Of A Menopausal include award-winning BBC Woman - a one-woman show that Radio Four show Radio Active - ‘tells tales of menopausal melt- with Angus Deayton, Philip downs, shares secrets and pro- Pope, Michael Fenton Stevens vides details that every woman and Helen Atkinson Wood - and wants to hear’. We Are What We Overcome, the For more information, visitwar- debut show of musician, per- wickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre former and writer Matt McGuin- ness.

Exploring injustice at the Belgrade A powerful drama exploring the grave injustices. impact of prejudice and policing Commenting on the show, Ur- on Britain’s BAME (black, Asian bain said: “Deaths in police cus- & minority ethnic) communities tody is an issue that is ongoing, stops off at Coventry’s Belgrade and while we’re doing this to Theatre this month (Wednesday share amazing stories, we’re 1 - Saturday 4 May). also wanting to raise awareness. Inspired by Migrant Media’s There are many regions in the banned cult documentary films, UK where this has happened, Injustice and Who Polices The and is still happening, but peo- Police, Custody sees Urbain ple aren’t always aware of these Hayo (aka Urban Wolf) weaving cases. We’re passionate about together his own experiences of keeping up the momentum and the police’s controversial Stop & sharing these stories beyond Search procedure with stories of London.” families who have suffered

6 whatsonlive.co.uk First Word Warwicks_Worcs May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 12:30 Page 4 RSC Venice Preserved.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 15:59 Page 1

War. Corruption.

Power.Thomas Otway’s tragedy, Venice Preserved, gets a contemporary reboot by the Royal Shakespeare Company this month.

8 whatsonlive.co.uk RSC Venice Preserved.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 15:59 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

What’s On chats to the show’s director, Prasanna Puwanarajah, about the production, its socio-political resonances and his varied career…

“Venice Preserved follows disaffected Vene- ing at it originally - now they just feel like so- from the NHS in order to recharge. I was mak- tian nobles,” the show’s director, Prasanna cial realism! So, if anything, the play has only ing little short films and doing the odd bit of Puwanarajah, explains. “Out of the two main grown in its ability to relate to our present acting in my free time. I remember I audi- male characters, one is the son-in-law of a day.” tioned at the RSC because Helena Palmer, senator and the other is a war veteran. Both one of the casting directors, saw me in a play Venice Preserved also explores feminist of them join a conspiracy against the senate at the Arcola Theatre. So I ended up in issues… of Venice, as they believe it to be oppressive Twelfth Night at the RSC. I finished my final and in need of change. In order to join the “One of the things that I wanted to do was job at Eastbourne General Hospital to do that plot, one of them, Jaffeir, has to demonstrate not to shy away from the fact that, at the time role, and I haven’t been back since, which his allegiance by handing over his wife, this play was written, women suffered at the was more than 10 years ago. So it’s just lovely Belvidera. One of the other conspirators hands of playwrights - not literally as such, to be returning to the RSC now. I’ve been vis- threatens Belvidera, so she and Jaffeir go on but in their representation. So we’ve done a iting as a punter for many years, so it’s a the run and have to work out whether to re- lot of work looking at the genre of play called wonderful thing to be coming back to direct.” veal the conspiracy to the senate, or to carry ‘She Tragedy’, where people got obsessed In his early acting career, Prasanna was often on with it knowing how bloody the outcome with the idea of watching women suffering subject to type casting: “In some ways I think will be…” on stage. Some of the plays we looked at were we’re going forwards and in other ways I absolutely horrendous in their enjoyment of The work of Thomas Otway, Venice Preserved think we aren’t. There’s still a sense that indi- women suffering. Interestingly, Venice Pre- was a widely celebrated play when it was viduals from minority groups ought to be rep- served doesn’t quite feel like those plays be- written and performed in the 1680s. resented in drama, but they often only come cause ‘She Tragedies’ tended to be in the 20 in as frame characters, such as somebody’s “I think theatre back then was very much a or so years that followed Venice Preserved. friend. I think there’s still a lot of head count- vehicle for celebrity,” says Prasanna, “so this This play, however, has a performance his- ing being done, where the interest in diversi- play would have featured some of the stars of tory that is quite operatic in style and ob- fying these industries hasn’t been met with a that age. People would have gone to the the- sessed by the notion of the virgin whore. desire for that to be brought about in an or- atre and seen characters and plotlines that Belvidera is pure until the point where she ganic way. I think it’s a slow journey, as often were insinuating the political events and peo- damages the men around her. When you ac- the instruments of change are quite blunt.” ple who were in the limelight. This is the case tually read it, though, it’s more about the hor- even in drama now. To make something pop- rendous abuse and attempted rape that He also hopes to continue with the many ular, it has to speak to the audience directly. Belvidera has to process, which is a direct threads of his career: “At the moment I’m di- Venice Preserved is talking about a nation consequence of her relationship with Jaffeir. I recting a film that’s set in Northern Ireland, coming out of the war, corruption in power wanted to find the true story about human so that’s a project for the next 12 months. and what happens when people are pushed experience, in a way that feels like it isn’t Then I’ve got a few on-screen roles coming into poverty. But it also explores what hap- looking away from their suffering but that out soon - I have a BBC Two comedy about pens when people’s relationships are threat- also isn’t fetishising it like the ‘She Tragedies’ barristers called Defending The Guilty com- ened by the workings of the state. Mainly, do.” ing out later on this year, and then a couple this play has a really emotionally available of other bits and pieces there too. I’m also Prasanna hopes that other directors follow quality to it.” doing some writing on a new show on Chan- his lead in producing works by Early Modern nel Four.” Prasanna has been thinking about staging playwrights who aren’t Shakespeare: “I defi- Venice Preserved for many years and feels the nitely think more directors should look fur- Prasanna has some final words about why play has become even more relevant in recent ther than Shakespeare for playwrights in this Venice Preserved is not to be missed: “We’re times: “I started looking at the play because I period. Obviously a lot of plays don’t survive making this show in a way that I hope really found it really fascinating how people’s rela- this long because they don’t have those uni- opens it up to the audience, while making it tionships get pulled apart in times of great versal, relatable themes that make good plays really exciting and emotional. It’s a political political upheaval. I was completely intrigued relevant to most time periods. Staging things thriller and feels like a really interesting mix by the play, as it’s famously long and diffi- which don’t have that connectivity to contem- of Restoration play and graphic novel. There cult. Also, its setting and tone caught my eye. porary audiences isn’t really something I really are wonderful actors in it who do some It has that kind of noir theme and feels al- want to be doing, as then it feels more like a incredible things, so it’s one of those rarities most like a graphic novel. When I first started museum exhibition of sorts. That being said, that’s really worth travelling to see!” looking at it, we were in the pre-Trump, pre- there are a lot of gold mines out there.” Brexit era and just after the financial crash. Prasanna turned his hand to directing, writ- The idiot in power or the huge political ing and acting while he was working as a change was somewhat removed from us back doctor for the NHS… then: while it was something we were aware Venice Preserved shows at the Swan of, it wasn’t driving our headlines as it does “It wasn’t an instant switch that I made, it Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, from Friday today. The political characters that were in was more of a cross-fade that happened over 24 May to Saturday 7 September. the play felt a little satirical when I was look- four to five years. I did acting in my time off whatsonlive.co.uk 9 Food May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:05 Page 1 Food May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:06 Page 2

Food

Just Champion! Worcestershire pub hosts beer, gin and prosecco festival The Coach & Horses at Weatheroak in Worcestershire is this month hosting the Champion Beer, Gin & Prosecco Festival. The CAMRA Regional Pub of the Year runner-up for 2018 is presenting the event from 10 to 12 May. Award-winning beers from the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain Award will be on offer, along with some not-to-be-missed festival exclusives. Live music and street food will also feature over the weekend. For more information, visit coachandhorsesinn.co.uk.

chicken pieces are substantial, and the dish comes together with pulao rice, vegetable raita and naan bread. I decided on the lamb rogan josh, and whilst I wouldn’t usually choose lamb, this was beautifully cooked and perfectly balanced. To round off this incredible meal, we were treated to a platter of desserts, which was a new experience for me. The four mini puddings consisted of gajar ka halwa, gulab jamun, rasmalai and mango-kesari pista kulfi. The gulab jamun greatly ap- pealed to my sweet tooth, whilst the mango-kesari pista kulfi was a lovely palate cleanser, along with a sorbet. The texture of the gajar ka halwa was a little REVIEW: Asha’s Solihull unusual and not quite to my taste. It is, however, a classic Flavoursome food and warm service at new Indian eatery Indian dessert and was Internationally acclaimed award- mood lighting and culturally dishes available. Whilst waiting brilliantly presented. winning restaurant Asha’s influenced interior ensures it for our appetisers, we received a My overwhelming feeling about opened in Solihull last month feels both classy and inviting. basket with four varieties of pa- the Asha’s experience is that it’s with its high-end Indian food Directed to a booth by a friendly padoms and a spicy mint sauce excellent value for the quality of offering. member of staff, we were shown to enjoy. flavoursome food and warm There are a handful of other both the lunch and la carte To start, we had the kebab and service you receive. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the branches around the world, but menus. My partner hadà a pint of vegetarian kebab platters to this is the second site in the Kingfisher, Asha’s only draught share. The first dish included the restaurant to others and can’t Midlands (the other is in beer, whilst I enjoyed a Rickshaw incredibly tender chicken tikka wait to go back again. Jenny Ell Birmingham) and only the third Fizz vodka-based cocktail. This kebab, fiery lamb seekh kebab in the UK (there’s one in not only looked beautiful but and tasty king prawn tikka. Food: nnnnn Manchester, too). tasted wonderful. The drinks The vegetarian options were Service: nnnnn The restaurant is named after service itself was slightly slow paneer ka soola, aloo tikka and Ambience: nnnnn one of India’s most famous considering there were only a papdi chat. I’m not a vegetarian, Overall value nnnnn singers and actresses, Asha handful of covers being managed but I could certainly adapt to the OVERALL nnnnn Bhosle, photographs of whom at the time, but the quality of my lifestyle if this was the food on are dotted around the walls. Rickshaw Fizz was definitely offer! Asha’s Solihull worth the wait. My partner chose his ‘go-to’ Touchwood Shopping Centre Asha’s location on the upper Homer Road Some of the food is duplicated in Indian main, chicken tikka mall of Touchwood Shopping Solihull Centre means that it benefits both menus, but we both masala, which was as beautifully B91 3GJ from a high footfall. The venue’s decided on the lunchtime option, cooked and spiced as the taster Tel: 0121 200 2767 as there was a good variety of portion in the starter. The large whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Food May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:06 Page 3

12 whatsonlive.co.uk Food May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:06 Page 4

Food

Malvern’s mobile fish & chip business makes the UK top 10 Butler’s Fish & Chips in Malvern has been named one of the UK’s top-10 best mobile fish & chip units by trade journal Fry Magazine. The business was judged on, among other criteria, quality of food and customer service, and received an impressive overall mark of 94%. The Butler’s Fish & Chips van makes regular stops in West Malvern villages and is also available for hire at the weekends.

Kenilworth pub wins acclaimed award for fourth year running The Old Bakery in Kenilworth has been named Warwickshire Area Pub of the Year by Coventry & District CAMRA for Indian Brewery chooses Solihull for its second venue a record-breaking fourth year running. The pub has been praised not only for The Indian Brewery has chosen Solihull town taproom, we’ve received such positivity from the quality of the cask beers produced centre as the location in which to open its the public, which has been the key factor for us locally but also for its commitment to second taproom and street food restaurant. in deciding to open our second site. In Solihull promoting them. The company’s first establishment is located by there aren’t many independent businesses. Snow Hill Station in Birmingham (pictured) There’s a load of mainstream companies out and serves locally brewed craft beer and there, so we’ve seen an opportunity to offer delicious Indian street food. The Solihull venue customers our locally brewed beers and is expected to echo this and will have a innovative Indian street food. We will be capacity of around 100. increasing employment within the local area Commenting on the soon-to-be-opened too, and working with local organisations to taproom & eatery, Indian Brewery CEO Jaspal really shout about Solihull.” Purewal said: ”After the launch of our first

Digbeth Dining Club makes a welcome return to Solihull After a hugely successful event in 2018, Digbeth Dining Club (DDC) is returning to The UK's biggest gin Malvern & Brueton Park in Solihull on Sunday 5 May. festival tour is coming With DDC resident DJs playing all day from to Kidderminster 11am to 6pm, the event features 15 popular More than 100 different gins from food traders, a fully stocked Purity bar and around the world will be available to the Digbeth Arts & Produce Market selling a sample at The Great British Gin Festival selection of items and gifts. when the event visits Kidderminster Food vendors confirmed as attending are: Town Hall on 3 August. Urban Cheesecake, Dick’s Smokehouse, The show will include talks from Kebab Cartel, The Patty Freaks, Street Chef, industry professionals, cocktail demos Flats Doughnuts, Leave It To Esmie, Baked from bartenders and trade stands In Brick, Wholesome Junkies, Chef Shack, offering a wide selection of gins to try. Canoodle, Mac OG, Street Souvlaki and the A gin glass and a copy of The Great Bournville Waffle Company. British Gin Festival Bible is included in Entry costs £1 when booking in advance or the ticket price. £2 on the day. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Classical May Warwicks- Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:07 Page 1

14 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical May Warwicks- Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:07 Page 2

Classical

Orchestra of the Swan: Mozart, Matthews & Mahler Stratford Play House, Stratford-upon-Avon, Tues 28 May As well as being held in high regard for their championing of new music, having presented more than 70 world premieres, the Stratford-based Orchestra of the Swan (OOTS) are also much admired for their performances of works by legendary com- posers. As might therefore be expected, this latest concert will see them combin- Russian Philharmonic of Novosibirsk ing the new with the familiar - and no Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Tues 14 May & Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 22 May doubt doing so to excellent effect. Alongside their performances of composi- Often referred to as ‘Siberia’s cultural gem’, the Russian Philharmonic of Novosibirsk tions by Mozart, Mahler and Schubert, perform under the baton of the impressively energetic Thomas Sanderling and are making OOTS also present the premiere of David not one but two appearances in the Midlands this month - and performing different pro- Matthews’ song-cycle based on Alphonse grammes to boot! de Lamartine’s partly autobiographical Their Warwick playlist features Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol (as does the Birm- poem, The Lake, for which they are joined ingham one), Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances and Tchaikovsky’s Second Violin Con- by American-born soprano April Fredrick certo. The latter is being performed by British violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, who also (pictured). The work is being presented, joins the orchestra at Symphony Hall to play Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto. in conjunction with Worcester’s English The Birmingham concert programme is completed by Tchaikovsky’s Romeo And Juliet Symphony Orchestra - for whom Fredrick Fantasy Overture and Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition. is the first Affiliate Artist - as part of a year-long project celebrating ‘David Aronowitz Ensemble Nicola Benedetti and Matthews in the Heart of England’. Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa, Scottish Chamber Tues 7 May Orchestra A sell-out 2004 debut at St John’s Smith Birmingham Town Hall, Fri 24 May Square and subsequent invitation to join the BBC’s New Generation Artists scheme certainly got things off to a flying start for Aronowitz Ensemble, which features within its ranks Navarra String Quartet favourites Magnus and Marije Johnston and Magnus’ brother, Guy. Formed out of the desire of seven outstand- ing international artists to explore and per- form chamber music in the highly Scottish-born violinist Nicola Benedetti is Armonico Consort & adaptable combination of string sextet and one of classical music’s most sought-after Baroque Players piano, Aronowitz has developed a reper- performers, her road to fame beginning toire which includes not only familiar but when she won BBC Young Musician of the Malvern Theatres, Thurs 23 May also neglected and new compositions. Year in 2004. A former pupil at the Yehudi Founded by organist and conductor Their Leamington debut concert sees them Menuhin School, Benedetti won Best Christopher Monks in 2001, Armonico are performing works by Strauss, Shostakovich Female Artist at both the 2012 and 2013 one of the largest organisations of their and Tchaikovsky. Classical BRIT Awards, and has also been kind in the UK. Using authentic period in- made an MBE and, this year, a CBE. struments, the baroque consort regularly She’s also the youngest-ever recipient of perform with some of the best solo musi- the Queen’s Medal for Music. cians in the world. Nicola is joined for this concert by the This Malvern concert sees Armonico internationally acclaimed Scottish Cham- joined by wine writer, television presenter ber Orchestra, as she play-directs Mozart’s and broadcaster Oz Clarke, who will be in- third and fifth violin concertos. His terspersing their performances of baroque Haffner symphony also features, as does arias and duets with readings of letters, Anna Clyne’s powerful Within Her Arms. poetry and ‘tales of love’. whatsonlive.co.uk 15 BlueJays DPS.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:03 Page 1 BlueJays DPS.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:03 Page 2

Rock n Roll! The Bluejays chat ahead of musical Rock and Roll Revolution

Tell me more about The Bluejays... the first time to those that remember it the son and Peggy Lee tunes. Amelia’s our secret first time around. One of our favourite com- weapon and often ends up stealing the show. Ollie (Vocals/Guitar): The Bluejays are a ments is always, “You took me back to my Her version of ‘Fever’ is unbelievable. We 1950s Rock ‘n’ Roll and from London. Our youth”. We hear that after almost every show once overheard an audience members saying show Rock and Roll Revolution features over and it really means a lot to us. it sent chills up their spine. No pressure, 40 of the biggest hits of the era by some of Amelia! the biggest names in popular music - Elvis What are your favourite songs to play? Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Cliff Strangest gig to date? Ollie: Tough question. There are so many. We Richard, Connie Francis, The Everly Broth- love all the Buddy Holly stuff, I get to do all Ollie: Again, so many to choose from! We’ve ers... the list goes on! the lead guitar parts on those and don the played lots of shows onboard Cunard and You’re all pretty young to be into fifties glasses! Sharing lead vocals with Matt on the P&O cruise ships. That’s always surreal. Par- music. What got you started in Rock ‘n’ Everly Brothers songs is fun and the crowd ticularly when you’re three days from land in Roll? really enjoy singing along to those. Other big the middle of the Atlantic! Aside from that, sing-alongs include The Young Ones, A we played at Brian May’s daughter’s wedding Chris (Bass): Thank you! Yes, we’re all in our Teenager in Love and Johnny B. Goode. a few years back. The man himself got up and 20s and 30s. I think we all had parents who joined us for the encore of Johnny B. Goode. loved the music, so we’ve known it from a What’s been your most fun gig to date? That was incredible. Most bizarre however young age. The big turning point, however, Dan: We post a lot of videos online. (Find us must be being booked to play for Donald came in 2008 when we were cast together in on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheBlue- Trump in New York last year. It didn’t end up Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story on its UK tour. jaysUK. A couple of years ago we shared a happening in the end but the exchange of Ollie played Buddy whilst Dan and I were The video of us recording Buddy Holly’s That’ll emails was enough to raise our pulses for the Crickets. Be The Day for a CD we were making. The rest of time. You just never know who’s going Have you been in any other West End video ended up being seen by Buddy’s family to book you! shows? who then invited us out to play for them in So what can people expect when the come Lubbock, Texas - Buddy’s hometown. It was Dan (Drums): We have! Quite a few actually. and see Rock and Roll Revolution? completely surreal. His brother Larry was After Buddy we all went on to appear in there, as was his wife María Elena, not to Ollie: They can expect a really fun, energetic, Dreamboats and Petticoats on a yearlong tour mention Duane Eddy. It was a crazy few days. slick and truly authentic 1950s experience. of the UK. Ollie then starred as Carl Perkins We even got to record in Buddy’s old studio We actively encourage the audience to sing in the West End production of Million Dollar in Clovis, New Mexico. along throughout and the night always seems Quartet. Matt Wycliffe who plays keys for us to culminate in everyone up and dancing in has just finished playing the same role on the So you’re big fans of Buddy Holly then? the aisles. If you’re a fan of any style of music recent world tour and spent a couple of years Chris: I think that’s fair to say! We love play- we think you’ll love this show! in Jersey Boys in London. ing all the artists from the 1950s but I think Where can we find out more about The What made you write Rock and Roll Revo- our followers really enjoy the Buddy stuff we Bluejays? lution? do. We recently made a video commemorat- ing the 60th anniversary of ‘The Day The Chris: There’s loads on Facebook as Dan Ollie: There are a few Fifties shows out there Music Died’. On February 3rd we re-recorded mentioned but you can also check out our but none of them do what we do. We wanted Buddy’s first posthumous hit It Doesn’t Mat- website www.thebluejays.co.uk for more info, to make a show that not only featured all the ter Anymore complete with a string quartet videos, music and downloads plus all of our songs that audiences know and love but also led by my wife Sally. It’s the best thing we’ve tour dates! Hopefully we’ll see you at the Old looked a little bit into the history of the time. ever done and has already had thousands of Rep! How Rock ‘n’ Roll came into being and how it views. You can find the video online. changed everything that followed. It really was a revolution. Which other artists can we expect to hear? What kind of people come to your shows? Dan: It’s obviously not all about the male The Bluejays will star in the musical Rock Rock ‘n’ Rollers. We have our wonderful fe- Chris: What makes it really fun is that we and Roll Revolution at The Old Rep, male vocalist, Amelia Rendell covering all have an incredible mix of people. All ages. Birmingham on Sunday 12th May the Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Wanda Jack- From people just discovering the music for GIGS May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:09 Page 1 GIGS May Warwicks_Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:09 Page 2

Gigs

Levellers Malvern Theatres, Sat 11 May In celebration of their successful career, folk rock band Levellers are bringing a special acoustic show to Malvern this month. Expect stripped-down versions of iconic material from their 11 studio albums, including Zeitgeist and Levellers, which peaked at number one and two respectively in the UK albums charts.

Kitty Macfarlane in 2016) to make her debut EP, Tide & Time. It was released the following year and met Warwick Arts Centre, Sun 26 May with rave reviews... Among Kitty’s other In 2015, Somerset-based singer-songwriter career highlights are support sets for Seth Kitty Macfarlane teamed up with acclaimed Lakeman, Alasdair Roberts, Rachel Ser- Thea Gilmore folk artist Sam Kelly (who would go on to manni and Blair Dunlop, to name but a few, win the BBC Radio Two Horizon Folk Award and a BBC Young Folk Award nomination. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 22 May Thea Gilmore is globally acclaimed for making music not only of extraordinary beauty but also rare honesty and insight. The Undertones Catfish And The Often described as one of the finest songwrit- The Empire, Coventry, Fri 3 May Bottlemen ers of her generation, Thea’s new album, Teenage Kicks - the single for which punk Ricoh Arena, Coventry, Sat 4 May Small World Turning, is released on the 17th rock band The Undertones are best known - Brit Award-winning Welsh rock band Catfish of this month. “Okay, I won’t lie, I love this was released in 1978 on Terri Hooley’s Good And The Bottlemen have been on the rise for record,” says Thea. “I’m told that a lot of the Vibrations label. After their first appearance a number of years now, particularly since songs make you think, a couple make you cry on Top Of The Pops, the boys then spent the their 2014 single, Kathleen, was ranked and the odd one may make you laugh. What next five years producing hits including number one on MTV’s hottest-tracks list. matters to me is that you get to hear them. I’m Here Comes The Summer, My Perfect Cousin Two years later they released their second joined by amazing guests including Seth and You’ve Got My Number. When vocalist album and first number one, The Ride, and Lakeman, Cara Dillon, Sam Lakeman, Ciaran Feargal Sharkey left in 1983 to pursue a solo have since been garnering plaudits like Algar, Katriona Gilmore and Jamie Roberts.” career, the remaining members decided to they’re going out of fashion. They return to call it a day. Coventry this month fresh from releasing They reformed in 1999 with replacement third studio album The Balance. vocalist Paul McLoone... Guest performer is The Specials’ Neville Staple, also known as The Original Rudeboy, Craig Charles a man who’s been credited with changing the face of pop music not just once but Leamington Assembly, Fri 3 May twice. Telly series Coronation Street, Robot Wars and Red Dwarf (not to mention successful DJing and writing careers) have ensured Craig Charles is pretty well known to the great British public. This month sees him bringing his hugely popular Funk & Soul Club to the Midlands. Gig-goers can expect a collection of tracks which have been covered and remixed by current leading bands and DJs.

whatsonlive.co.uk 17 IFC Wolverhampton.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 13:16 Page 1 Festivals MAY 2019-2.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:02 Page 2

Festivals

Lichfield Arts Blues & Birmingham Pride Jazz Festival Birmingham Gay Village, Sat 25 - Sun 26 May Various venues around Lichfield, Staffordshire, Thurs 30 May - Sun 2 June Birmingham Pride attracts more than 50,000 visitors each year and boasts a Having launched in 2015, this ever-growing diverse array of activities and entertain- festival is fast establishing itself as a firm ment, including music, cabaret, dance favourite on Lichfield’s cultural calendar. and a hugely popular carnival parade. With events taking place at numerous city This year's two-day celebration is based centre venues, the four-day get-together around the theme of Love Out Loud. celebrates the best in local jazz and blues Tickets are available from birmingham- talent, as well as showcasing quality pride.com. musicianship from further afield. 2019 line-up includes: Years & Years 2019 line-up includes: Remi Harris (pic- (pictured), The Human League, Marc tured), The Escape Committee, The Sleaze Almond, Lady Leshurr, 5ive, Mabel, Kate Brothers, The Alison Rayner Quintet and Nash, Sigala, Faithless (DJ Set), The more. Black Madonna, Hannah Wants, Alice Chater, M.O, Rogue Symphony, Aja and NAO.

Under The Hill Cheltenham Jazz Festival Ashton Under Hill, Worcestershire, Various venues arounds Cheltenham, Fri 24 - Sun 26 May Wed 1 - Mon 6 May Back for a third year, Under The Hill is an Rock And Bowl eclectic, boutique festival with a line-up Picnic Area, Market Drayton, Shropshire, showcasing the best in brass, ska, balkan, Sat 25 - Mon 27 May electroswing, hip-hop and gypsy punk. Run by a small team of arts enthusiasts who Not-for-profit community event Rock And wanted to create a unique experience with a Bowl is described as ‘a small festival with a personal touch, the family-friendly event fea- big heart’ and boasts a variety of acts, in- tures music, crafts, fancy dress fun, live per- cluding some of the UK's best tribute per- formers and face painting. formers, indie and rock bands, Bollywood Children under the age of 16 go free with a dancers and blues & ska stars. paying adult. One of the festival’s main aims is to promote All tickets offer access to the festival from Fri- up-and-coming local musical and produc- day to Sunday (with camping) and cost no tion talent, both on and off stage. more than £50 depending on which tier ticket “We don’t fit into any one genre,” explain is purchased. the organisers proudly, “and we absolutely don’t want to.” 2019 line-up includes: Slamboree Soundsys- Rock And Bowl has a number of weekend tem, Popes of Chillitown, Mr Tea and The With 20,000-plus music fans attending the camping tickets available for a friendly, fam- Minions (pictured), onlyjoe, Town of Cats, event each year, Cheltenham has become one ily-run campsite just a short walk from the Binbag Wisdom, Mista Trick Live, Jimi Nee- of the country’s best-loved jazz festivals. festival grounds, and also features plenty of dles, Stone Bear, Rob Why?, Ed Spinna and Showcasing its trademark mix of interna- children’s entertainment. The Brass Funkeys. tional icons, up-and-coming artists and unique performances, the festival includes 2019 line-up includes: The Stones (pic- Jamie Cullum and Moira Stuart among its le- tured), Mercury, Re-Take That, Ego Friendly, gion of fans. Hipster, Guns 2 Roses and Boston Shakers. 2019 line-up includes: Gregory Porter (pic- tured), James Morrison, Katie Melua, Level 42, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Jamie Cullum, The Destroyers, Incognito and Friends, Alfa Mist, Katie Birtill, Charenee Wade, Andreya Triana, Alina Engibaryan, Carmel and Cherise Adams-Burnett.

whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Comedy May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 11:56 Page 1

Comedy

Bill Bailey Victoria hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 21 May; Arena Birmingham, Thurs 23 May A member of a very select club, Bill Bailey is a musical comedian who actually manages to be funny, rather than just clever and smug. Formerly the funniest of the two Rubber Bishops, Bill was brought up on a diet of Sex Pistols, Morecambe & Wise and Mozart, and presents an act that nicely mixes displays of his musical virtuosity with straight standup. A British Comedy Awards winner, he’s par- ticularly known for a routine that unearthed a new musical genre: classical comedy. Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, it seems, contains the leitmotif, ’Ave A Banana! In- spired nonsense that’s typical of the man. He Kevin Smith & Ralph Garman Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sat 11 May visits the Midlands with Larks In Transit, All-round American creative Kevin Smith is cover either - the boys will also occasion- here joined by fellow actor Ralph Garman ally wander into the murky waters of US a show that’s been so to present a live touring version of their hit politics. “We do dabble,” Ralph told the well received he’s podcast, Hollywood Babble-On. Calgary Herald, “because there’s a big touring it again. Blending comedy, impressions and impro- crossover now between showbusiness and visation, the seven-year-old podcast is well American politics. When the president is on its way to its 400th edition and brings taking a serious meeting with Kanye West Mark Watson together all manner of Tinseltown tittle-tat- and Kim Kardashian and the guy used to The Old Rep, Birmingham, Sun 5 May; tle for the delight and delectation of Kevin host a reality show himself, you can’t help Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sun 2 June & Ralph’s ever-expanding army of fans. but realise there’s a connection between And it’s not only showbiz gossip that they the two in this country.”

Seann Walsh Rich Hall The Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Wed 22 May Trent, Sat 11 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 16 May His official biography somewhat less than modestly describes American funnyman Rich Hall as ‘a comic genius’ - albeit a ‘grouchy, deadpan’ one. Well established on the UK comedy circuit, With much of his comedy focusing on Mark Watson was born in Bristol to Welsh making fun of life across the pond in his parents and initially delivered his act with a homeland, Rich is best known for his cre- Welsh accent, claiming he felt “more com- ation of Otis Lee Crenshaw, a bourbon- fortable talking in a voice that I didn't quite swilling redneck jailbird from Tennessee recognise as my own”. whose many wives have all been named A regular contributor to the Edinburgh Brenda. Fringe, Mark has the curious distinction of Rich returns to the Midlands this month having performed standup shows which with a show that he’s called Hoedown: have lasted for a period in excess of 24 “There’s standup comedy, improvised bal- “Every year I have to write a 100-word blurb hours. “Comedy is certainly a time-consum- lads, cracking good for a new show,” says Seann Walsh, “and ing element of my life,” he admits, “but then musicianship, and basically I've now been doing this long while I’m out touring and on stage, there are ultimately a hilari- enough to know that none of this bullshit people at home doing far less glamorous ous, foot-stomping, makes any difference. I've never heard any- things. There have certainly been times s**t-kicking good one say, 'I think the bloke's an unfunny when I’ve been very happy to say, ‘Of course time to be had by c*nt, but my, what a cracking blurb - two I’d like to stay and help out with that plumb- all. Even if you tickets please!' Come, or don't come.” ing crisis, but Birmingham awaits!’” don’t own a hoe.” 20 whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 11:57 Page 2

Tom Allen Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Sun 12 May Tom Allen is a master of camp comedy. Often likened in style to legendary racon- teurs Kenneth Williams and Frankie Howard, he also doffs his comedian’s cap in the direction of Michael McIntyre and Eddie Izzard. Jokes include: “For a long time I was in denial about my sexuality and being bald - I had a wig and a beard,” and “I believe in gay marriage so that gay people can be as miserable as straight people.” Tom is here headlining the ‘grand finale’ of the first Coventry Comedy Festival.

The Guilty Feminist Live Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 May This touring show will surely prove to be a those goals, the podcast is presented by co- winner with theatre audiences, given that the median Deborah Frances-White. Deborah is podcast of the same name (well, minus the joined for this stage version by Desiree ‘live’ bit) has been downloaded a staggering Burch, Jess Fostekew and Kemah Bob. Music 50 million-plus times. Aimed at exploring the comes from Grace Petrie, who the Huffington 21st century goals of feminists, as well as the Post describe as ‘the musical soul of Corbyn- insecurities, hypocrisies and paradoxes mania’. which work to hamper the achievement of

Scott Bennett The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Fri 17 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 18 May What a standup comedian surely needs after weeks and months of tough touring is a nice relaxing holiday. Well, unless you’re Scott Bennett, that is. Scott’s capacity to fully enjoy his vacations is currently some- what compromised by his kids, the youngest of whom takes to joining mum & dad in bed. “We came back shattered,” re- veals Scott in writing about his daughter on Edinbrum his blog: “She’d always say, ‘Daddy I’m scared, I’ve had a nightmare.’ I felt like say- Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, various dates between Thurs 23 May & Thurs 25 July ing, ‘So have I, mate. What’s yours about? Yep, it’s that time of year again, when all measuring the audience reaction to their Mine started in 2016, looks exactly like you, good comedians stop off at Birmingham’s every gag, as they frantically try to hone their and it doesn’t end even when I’m awake. Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) to try out their material in preparation for their forthcoming But why don’t you pop in here with us and new material en route to the Edinburgh Festi- trip to Bonnie Scotland. for the next eight hours, just use my back as val. MAC’s May Edinbrum shows are: Sarah a treadmill. I love the way you position The venue’s regular line-up of mirthful mer- Kendall & Michael Legge (pictured) on Thurs yourself just at the perfect height to kick me rymakers should certainly ensure a chuckle the 23rd, followed and Darren Harriott & Rob repeatably in the kidneys until the sun or several is never too far away. And the Kemp on Thursday the 3oth. rises.’” comedians in question will no doubt be whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Joe McElderry Club Tropicana.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:45 Page 1 Joe McElderry Club Tropicana.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:45 Page 2 Club Tropica Camp, witty, flamboyant and sassy - Joe McElderry stars in Club Tropicana...

It might be 10 years since Joe McElderry, then Club Tropicana The Musical takes audiences self but nonetheless admits the decade has a fresh-faced 18-year-old, took X Factor and on a trip back to the electric ’80s, a time since made a massive impression on him: the nation by storm with his chart-topping when hair was big, shoulders were padded, “Club Tropicana has a great storyline. It’s a rendition of The Climb, but the enthusiasm, and mobiles weighed a ton. Set to a sound- fun family-friendly show that you can come passion and energy that endeared him to mil- track of some of the most iconic chart-top- and sing along to. It’s really feelgood, and lions of viewers in 2009 remains undimin- ping hits of the era, the story unfolds in the I’ve realised that ’80s music is still massively ished. vibrant Club Tropicana Hotel, the 1980s an- relevant and that I know most of the songs. I swer to Love Island. don’t remember them being played over the He positively bounces into the interview radio but subconsciously I must have heard room for our “usual natter”, having already When a budding bride & groom get cold feet them many, many times because when we had the cast and company of Club Tropicana, before their wedding, they decide to jet off first had a read-through of the show, I found the brand new ’80s musical in which he separately to sunnier climes, but little do that I knew not just the tunes but the lyrics to stars, in absolute hysterics with his portrayal they realise they’ve checked into the same nearly all of them. That’s the impact ’80s of Garry, a Club Rep with an eye for the outra- hotel. The sizzling summer season sees music has had on me, even though I wasn’t geous and an impressive selection of barbed drinks flowing and tans glowing, but with the around at the time.” one-liners. young lovers unsure whether to go through with the wedding, and hotel inspectors Club Tropicana is the latest in a long line of “Garry is camp, witty, very flamboyant and threatening to close the resort, it looks like projects to have kept the singer busy in the quite sassy,” laughs the 27-year-old from there’s trouble in paradise. decade since winning The X Factor. South Shields. “I’ve never played a comedy role before, but it’s been really fun. At first I Joe is joined on stage by a stellar cast, includ- “It’s mad because when I first started in the was really nervous, but I’m excited by it ing ex-EastEnder Neil McDermott, top im- industry, I was looking for some sort of now.” pressionist Kate Robbins and former longevity. People always used to ask us what Sugababe Amelle Berrabah, who makes her I wanted to do, and I always used to say, I Joe ponders for a moment, then confesses, musical theatre debut in the show. want to still be doing this in 10 years’ time. “There are no rules with Garry - he’s probably The fact that I still am is crazy! It’s feels like me after four or five vodkas!” Born in 1991, Joe missed out on the ’80s him- yesterday, yet I feel like a completely different Joe McElderry Club Tropicana.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:45 Page 3

person now - it’s been a huge learning curve, that. I had to learn how to navigate a way coat. He played the part on and off for two- but I’ve had a good time and grown up a lot. through that, but I was lucky. I had a really and-a-half years, winning rave reviews for his strong tight-knit family behind me, and still performance. “If you ask most 18-year-olds, they will say do.” they haven’t really worked out who they are “Joseph was a challenge because I was step- yet or where they fit in. I was really self-aware Having now done “loads of different things I ping into an iconic role that lots of very fa- for the first three years of my career, until I never thought I’d do”, one thing McElderry mous people have become very loved for realised I just had to be a good person and has been surprised to discover is that he playing: Philip Schofield, Jason trust that. copes very well under pressure, something Donovan, Donny Osmond and the rest. I’d he puts down to his time on The X Factor. seen them and grew up with them playing “There were times people would pick apart Joseph, so I realised the weight of the role I the most ridiculous things, and I didn’t know “I cope under pressure better than when I’m was taking on. I didn’t want to be the worst how to react, so I gave myself a bit of a pep not under pressure!” he laughs. “I think that person to play it!” talk and said, ‘You know Joe, you’re a nice comes from the boiling pot that is The X Fac- person, just enjoy your job and have fun. tor. It’s so intense you have no choice but to Joe was, and still is, aware of the stigma that Showbusiness is supposed to be lights cam- get your head down and get on with it. So comes with being discovered on a TV talent eras, fun’. So I learned to accept it for what it now something really big won’t phase me, show and was determined to prove that he was and not take things too seriously.” but something you might think wouldn’t was the right person for the job. freak me out does. Little things like everyday As a person, Joe reflects that “becoming an “Coming from a show like The X Factor, I worries I find a much bigger deal than adult” in the industry has made him a more wanted people to come to Joseph and say, ‘He preparing for a two-hour musical. It’s really confident performer: “I didn’t trust my own deserves to be in that role and not because he weird.” ability as much as I do now; I was a bit un- was in The X Factor’. I didn’t want to be one sure of myself. There was that pressure of Joe’s musical theatre career took off in 2015 of those people just put in the job to sell tick- being thrust into the public eye with lots of when he was cast in the title role of the An- ets. So I felt the pressure to be good and different people with different opinions be- drew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice musical, worked really hard. hind the scenes telling me to do this or do Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream- Joe McElderry Club Tropicana.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:45 Page 4

“I don’t think the X Factor stigma ever goes, to be lost so much that I lose perspective on songs. “But first I’ve got Club Tropicana, but in a way you can use it to your advantage real life. Going back to Newcastle, that’s me which takes me up to September,” he says, because if people do come with that expecta- real life, and this is the fun job I step in and gazing at the almost-lifesize picture of him tion, and you’ve grafted really hard to pro- out of.” that adorns the poster for the production. duce something really good, they go away That said, much of Joe’s time these days is So how does ‘Newcastle Joe’ respond when happy and with a new appreciation of what spent on the road, and another venue he’s he looks at that image? you can do.” been looking forward to returning to with “He says, ‘You don’t look like that when you Despite his busy schedule, Joe has eschewed Club Tropicana is the Edinburgh Playhouse. wake up!’ It’s always a very humbling thing the usual path taken by performers and cho- “Last time I was in Edinburgh with Joseph I to see yourself on a huge poster outside a sen to remain based in the north. got a huge apartment and all me family came venue. I’ll never get used to that. It makes me “I’ve always fought living in London because up. We had a few crazy nights out, eating appreciate that not everybody gets to do what I love it in Newcastle. People in the industry haggis and chips, and I even had a deep-fried they love, and I feel very lucky to have expe- come up to me and say, ‘What, you still live Galaxy Bar, which was beautiful. I didn’t feel rienced that as much as I have. I really do feel in Newcastle?’ But I’m very lucky because the so good in the loin-cloth the next day, but it blessed.” work I do fits around my schedule and peo- was wonderful while I was eating it!” ple incorporate my commuting into theirs. He explodes with laughter as he confesses, For me, Newcastle is where me sanity is. I do “You certainly become very aware of mirrors all the crazy work and everything that comes and camera angles when all you’re wearing is Club Tropicana shows at Wolverhampton with it, then I go back to normality where I’m a loin-cloth; you see a camera in the front Grand Theatre from Monday 29 April to not immersed in the industry. row and think, ‘That angle is not going to be Saturday 4 May, and then at the Belgrade “All me childhood friends are there and me pretty’ as you’re singing Close Every Door!” Theatre, Coventry, from Tuesday 7 to family. It’s important to understand that al- Saturday 11 May. To celebrate 10 years in the business, Joe is though we work in a wonderful industry, it’s also writing a new album of original not the be all and end all of life. I don’t want Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:57 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Motown The Musical The musical’s narrative is based around plans for a 25th anniversary bash for the record label - and a stubborn Gordy’s refusal to attend. Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 21 May - Sat 1 June Reflecting on his career, the show tells the story of how the former Based on Motown founder Berry Gordy’s bestselling book and pre- boxer (with the help of an $800 loan from his family) took both black senting a potted history of the famous record label, this five-star pro- and popular music to spectacular new levels. duction is crammed to its proverbial rafters with hit after legendary The show features more than 50 classic Motown hits, including My hit, transporting audiences back to a long-ago era of vinyl, flares, furs Girl, What's Going On, Dancing In The Street, I Heard It Through The and feathers. Grapevine and Ain't No Mountain High Enough.

The Worst Little Warehouse Shylock The Girl On The Train In London Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Wed 8 May Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Mon 13 - Sat 18 May; Theatre Severn, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Mon 27 May - Sat 1 June Fri 31 May & Sat 1 June Faecal explosions, bathroom baskets and First a bestselling book, then a hit film, The shockingly thin bedroom walls are very Girl On The Train took the world by storm. much in evidence when Aussie couple Lala Now, a touring stage adaptation of Paula and Robbie move into a north-London ware- Hawkins' 2015 novel is rolling into the Mid- house that’s been reimagined as a bohemian lands, with EastEnders star Samantha Wom- living space. And they’re not alone there ei- ack in the lead role of Rachel Watson. ther, with a houseload of archetypal hipsters “There’s actually a lot more licence with the- also trying to make a life for themselves at atre to do the dream-like flashback and mem- One Daisy Mill... This high-energy cabaret ory scenes from the book,” says Samantha. was shortlisted for best musical and best Gareth Armstrong's solo play is a sometimes “This means that you can access Rachel’s cabaret at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. moving, often humorous and always fasci- brain in those scenarios a lot more than I nating exploration not only of Shakespeare’s think you can with film.” Shylock but also of Jewish stereotypes in general. Along the way, all manner of char- acters are presented to the audience, ‘from Portia to Pontius Pilate, Romeo to Max Rein- hardt, and Barabbas to Richard Burbage’. Described as ‘a dazzling dissection of The Merchant Of Venice’, the production is no stranger to four and five-stars reviews.

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:57 Page 2 La Voix online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:43 Page 1 La Voix online magazine.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:43 Page 2

chats ahead of bringing her brand new tour to Brum...

Hello, La Voix! How exciting that How do you prepare before Kylie fan club! Well, maybe I still am - I you’re back on tour! What are you performing on stage? never called her to cancel. most looking forward to? I always listen to one of my Oh, I’m beyond excited. It’s what I do! inspirational divas whilst getting Which song is your personal Travelling the country spreading the ready, be it Liza, Judy, Cher or Shirley. favourite to sing live? love! This year I’m let loose! You can I find it just gets me in the mood. It has to be anything Liza. New York, expect to see me give my all, more I have many rituals, which do include New York was my first Britain’s Got thanL ever. It’s all new! New songs, Voixa cheeky vodka cranberry! My motto Talent audition song, and it still holds stories, confessions and costumes. is, if the audience are at the bar in the a great place in my heart. Her It’s hard to describe what occurs in my theatre, I should join them backstage arrangement is so amazing. shows, but it’s an ‘experience’! You in having a tipple. I like to be on the will leave feeling empowered, stage in the wings, hearing the What can people expect from you on exhausted and relieved, all in one. It’s audience, rather than stuck in a this tour? pure escapism entertainment mixed dressing room. It’s all about soaking There are many surprises in the new up with modern therapy. up the atmosphere. show. Have you seen my Theresa May You can escape the misery of life like singing Dreamgirls? Or Judy Garland Gemma Collins on television, or celebs singing Adel? If not, then you need to go smearing, anything political is out, grab a ticket! My favourite classic and most of all, phones are turned off. divas, like Liza, Tina, Shirley and Cher, I endeavour to make my audiences You will leave are still featured of course. And some experience true variety. I recreate “ of the most phenomenal costumes! vaudeville-style cabaret, immerse them in quality entertainment and feeling If you hadn’t become the UK’s most

give them a blast of live music. There’s glamorous performer, what would

no one doing what I’m doing... who empowered, you be doing instead? hasn’t been sectioned! Hunting down whoever had robbed me exhausted and“ of that title! Have you been busy so far this year? I haven’t stopped. As soon as the Is there anyone in particular who curtain fell on my last panto show, on relieved, all in you’d like to work with? New Year’s Eve, I hotfooted it to The Dame Shirley Bassey! It would be Heathrow to start my 2019 residency one a dream! at the glamourous Limelight Club onboard P&O Britannia. Who was the first person you ever Finally, what have you learned from Alongside that, I was itching to get saw in concert, and what was the your experiences in the industry so home and join my full band for this first album you bought? far? new Live, Loud And Fabulous touring Chase your dreams and be nice to It was Barbra Streisand at Madison show. Add to that new dress designs, everyone! Give an audience your all, Square Gardens and it blew my mind. endless visits to the hairdressers for and they will give you it back in It wasn’t in person, it was on a VHS up blowouts and my new passion for buckets! Also, feathers cost a fortune north in Stockton-on-Tees, but she had yoga... if I’m not downward dogging, and Swarovskis are better than men! a really profound impact on me. I’m upright in a fitting! My first single was Eternal Flame by The Bangles, and my first album was La Voix plays The Old Rep Theatre, Kylie’s first ever album! I was in the Birmingham, on Saturday 1 June Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:58 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Rocky Horror Show Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 13 - Sat 25 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 3 - Sat 8 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Oct Hook up your fishnets, tighten your corsets and prepare to ‘do The Time Warp again’ - The Rocky Horror Show’s returning to the Midlands! Richard O’Brien’s cult production tells the tale of the straight-laced Brad and the deliciously corruptible Janet, who arrive at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. Along the way, they take the audience through a selection of love-’em- or-loathe-’em musical numbers, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and The Time Warp. Great fun’s a guarantee - particularly if you get into the spirit of things and attend the show dressed in your very best stockings and suspenders (as many patrons do)! Birmingham's Alison Hammond stars as the Narrator alongside Blue singer Duncan James, Strictly Come Dancing champion Joanne Clifton and A1’s Ben Adams.

The Death Show The Hound Of The Les Miserables Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Fri 17 May Baskervilles Birmingham Hippodrome, until Sat 11 May & Tues 30 Jun - Sat 18 Jul 2020 Much admired for Lichfield Garrick, Fri 24 May their playful, dy- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes is namic and cross- one of literature’s most enduring characters, artform approach The Hound Of The Baskervilles his most fa- to producing origi- mous adventure. Yet no matter how many ac- nal, contemporary tors don the deerstalker and solve the work, independent mystery of the moors-dwelling beast, the theatre makers story remains a popular choice for both stage Lucy Nicholls and Antonia Beck here get to and screen adaptation. This latest version, grips with the grim reaper. which has been picking up its fair share of Preparation for The Death Show included the plaudits, should be well worth a look for any- Les Misérables is lavish, magnificent and duo working as artists-in-residence at a fu- body with a love of Victorian detective work awesome in its power, an epic saga that grips neral parlour, as well as spending time with or monstrous moorland mutts... from start to finish as it presents a heart- patients at a hospice. rending story of struggle and survival. The pair here invite audience members to cel- Based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel, ebrate their own mortality, ‘laugh, cry and the show focuses on the character of fugitive stick two fingers up’ at the aforementioned Martha, Josie And The Jean Valjean as he’s pitted against the tena- reaper, and discover why talking about death Chinese Elvis cious Inspector Javert in a lifelong struggle to can ultimately be a life-affirming activity. evade capture. Their high-stakes conflict is a New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Thurs 2 - Sat 18 May deeply personal one, brought to vivid life against a historical backdrop of unparalleled Cranford It’s dominatrix Josie’s 50th birthday, but scale. she’s in no mood to celebrate. Her best client, For all the show’s drama, though, it’s the ma- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, the cross-dressing Lionel, who’s determined Tues 14 - Sat 18 May jestic music composed by Claude-Michel to give her a party to remember, hires Chi- There’s trouble in the sleepy village of Cran- Schönberg and Alain Boublil for which Les nese Elvis impersonator Timothy Wong, a Mis is best known and most loved. ford, and the rector’s daughter, Miss Matilda man whose spectacular outfits are far more Jenkins, aka Miss Matty, has been left impe- Blockbuster musical numbers include I impressive than his knowledge of the King’s Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, On My cunious. Thank heaven, then, for the other rock’n’roll repertoire... Charlotte Jones’ delightful-if-a-bit-gossipy ladies of the vil- Own and One Day More. quirky comedy bagged awards galore when it The production comes complete with brand lage, who rally round to try and help their premiered in the late 20th century, and is suddenly destitute friend... Elizabeth new staging and the promise to be ‘a Les Mis here produced by the New Vic in association for the 21st century’. Gaskell’s 19th century novel has been with Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre. adapted for the stage by Martin Coleman and Read our ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ review online at is here presented by the Stafford Players. whatsonlive.co.uk

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:58 Page 4 Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:58 Page 5

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

Heart Of Darkness Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wed 8 - Sat 11 May The company producing this show, Imitating The Dog, have already enjoyed success with a stage adaptation of another literary classic - Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms - so there’s every chance that their version of Joseph Conrad’s 1899 masterpiece will prove to be a similar tour de force. Relocated in the forsaken landscape of a timeless Europe, the production tells the story of one man’s journey into a perilous un- known - the ‘heart of darkness’ of the title - and comes complete with the benefits of some impressive digital technology.

A Thousand simple enough; poor old Angelo is left in Rotterdam charge of an anarchic Vienna, whilst the Splendid Suns The REP, Birmingham, Mon 20 - Wed 22 May; Duke pretends that he has work overseas. Malvern Theatres, Thurs 23 - Sat 25 May The REP, Birmingham, Tues 2 - Sat 18 May Instead, he uses the opportunity to spy on his diligent (though misguided) deputy, waits for a mistake to be made, then reappears to make Angelo a convenient scapegoat for Vienna’s woes... A stitch-up or just judicial authority? No wonder politicians of all parties quote Shakespeare to justify their dark deeds...

Bells And Spells Khaled Hosseini's spiritual sequel to The Kite Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Runner is here receiving its European stage Tues 21 & Wed 22 May Engaging with a multitude of issues relevant première. Taking the viewer on a journey through hal- to the LGBTQ+ community, Jon Brittain’s When orphaned Laila finds herself left alone lucinatory lands and libertarian countries, heartwarming play features a majority cast of in an Afghanistan ravaged by war, salvation Victoria Thierrée Chaplin’s new production non-binary, transgender and queer actors. comes in the form of her older neighbour, sees Aurélia Thierrée getting inside the skin ‘Rotterdam is a fantastic comedy with lots of Rasheed, who takes her as his second wife of a kleptomaniac - only to find herself ma- heart,” says cast member Ellie Morris, who and makes her pregnant. nipulated by the objects that she steals... plays out-and-proud Dutch party-girl Lelani. Rasheed’s decision kickstarts a rivalry be- Expect a spark of absurdity and more than a “It’s about a lesbian couple - Alice and Fiona tween Laila and his first wife, Mariam - but as dash of surreal humour in a thought-provok- - who live in Rotterdam, and Fiona comes out the Taliban take over and life becomes a des- ing show in which the bizarre rubs shoulders as transgender at the start of the play. The re- perate struggle against starvation and brutal- with the supernatural... mainder of the play follows his journey from ity, the two women find themselves engaging being Fiona to becoming Adrian, and looks at in an unlikely alliance... how that affects his relationship with Alice, his own identity and the people around him.” Measure For Measure Ellie is returning to the role of Lelani having previously played her during Rotterdam’s run Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon, Fri 28 June - Thurs 29 Aug at the Arts Centre in London. “I honestly just adore this play. I think I’ve The darkest of Shakespeare’s comedies, maybe performed it, like, 100 times, and Measure For Measure is usually considered a every single time it’s just as good as the last. problem play. Which means that it asks more If you want fireworks, balloons and a seri- questions than it answers - leaving doubt ously good soundtrack, then this is the play about which side of the political fence for you!” Shakespeare is really on. The structure is 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:58 Page 6 Antony Costa.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:38 Page 1 Antony Costa.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:38 Page 2

by Jenny Ell

Rocking Out! A quarter of one of the most successful boy bands of all time, Blue’s Antony Costa is now turning his hand to playing rock star Stacee Jaxx in the UK tour of Rock Of Ages, which visits Wolverhampton late this month. We spoke to Antony a couple of weeks before he started his run in the show…

How are rehearsals going for Rock Of woman who specialises in singing rock brilliant and a lovely bunch of people, so it Ages? music. I’ve got a powerful voice, but I’m hav- will be nice to go back there, for sure. ing to learn how to sustain it over eight I properly start rehearsals next week, so I’m How long are you contracted with Rock Of shows a week. It can take its toll on your excited about that. I can’t wait to meet the Ages? cast and get my teeth into the material. voice, so I’ve got to treat it as a muscle that’s I start in Eastbourne in early April and finish Stacee Jaxx is a part I’ve loved since seeing it new to me. When I’m singing Blue songs, I in your lovely city of Wolverhampton on the in the West End, so it’s going to be good. could do them with my eyes closed, not be- cause I’m lazy but just because I’ve been first of June, so I’m in the show for eight As the show is currently touring, you will doing them for so many years. However, weeks. be joining an existing company. How do when you’re on your own and the spotlight’s Does a shorter contract appeal to you? you feel about that? on you, there’s a lot of pressure. I’ve never actually done a short contract, so I’m very nervous, I’ll be honest with you, but Do you think the 2012 film version of Rock it’s quite new to me. Sometimes with a six to excited at the same time. I could join the Of Ages is a good representation of the 12-month contract, by the third or fourth company and find a friend that I’ll have for stage production? week, you feel really into it and could do it the rest of my life. I’m told everyone is really with your eyes closed. With my eight-week lovely, so I’m looking forward to it. I saw the film when it came out, but I don’t know if it did the show any justice. I under- contract, I’ll literally be in and out, which is a Does Stacee spark recollections for you of stand why they made a film, but I wasn’t sure bit sad as I’ll probably make some good being in Blue, with so many adoring fans about some of the casting decisions. friends whom I won’t want to leave so soon. following you around? But that’s life! What do you enjoy most about being part I can sort of relate, but I was never an idiot of a musical company? Do you have anything in the pipeline after like Stacee Jaxx! He has fans swarming Rock Of Ages? around him and thinks he’s a rock god, but I I love it because I get to meet and know dif- I hope so. I’ve been speaking to a few produc- certainly wasn’t! Towards the end of the ferent people from various walks of life. ers about potential projects. I tend to do show, you see the real Stacee coming Speaking from a personal perspective as well, panto every year, but I don’t know where I’ll through, who is actually alright. His persona I love the fact that I can be someone else for be yet. I love panto, it’s my guilty pleasure! is more of a façade. two hours every night; that’s what I’m look- ing forward to. Do you have a favourite song to perform? Have you toured to Wolverhampton be- Dead Or Alive - 100%! It’s just insane. My fore? 15/16-year-old rock self is able to come Antony Costa joins Kevin Kennedy, Zoe Yes, I came to Wolverhampton two years ago through, and I can’t wait to perform it to a Birkett, Jodie Steel, Luke Walsh, Lucas for a play I was in called Judgement In Stone. live audience. Rush, Andrew Carthy, Vas Constanti & I was only in the city for two days, as I had to Rhiannon Chesterman in Rock Of Ages at Has it been a difficult transition from leave sharpish on the Thursday because my Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 28 singing pop songs to ’80s rock classics? other half was having our second baby, but I May to 1 June. Yes, I’ve been going to vocal lessons with a do remember the Wolverhampton crew were Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:58 Page 7

Theatre Theatre for younger audiences...

Zog Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 8 & Thurs 9 May; Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Fri 24 - Sun 26 May; Malvern Theatres, Wed 5 & Thurs 6 June With previous shows including Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales and Tabby McTat, it’s fair to say that Freckle Productions know a thing or two about presenting stage adaptations of Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler stories... Zog is at Madam Dragon’s school and is de- termined to win himself a gold star. He’s so determined, in fact, that he tries a little bit too hard and finds himself bumping, burning and roaring his way through years one, two and three.

The Worst Witch the tiger. But keeping Mowgli safe is no walk Imaginative sets and costumes are very much in the jungle, as his two furry pals soon find present and correct in a show that the pro- Birmingham Hippodrome, out... Presented by Wicked Productions and ducers are confident will send your kids Wed 22 - Sun 26 May featuring some brand new songs. home positively wild (which may or may not be a good thing!). X Factor 2016 winner Matt Terry stars. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show Aliens Love Underpants Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, Telford, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May Thurs 30 May In a career stretching back to the mid-1960s, Given its title, it’s Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books perhaps not sur- - writing most of them too. None have been prising that the Step aside, Harry Potter, Mildred Hubble is more famous or successful than his 1969 visiting town - and she’s ready to unleash producers of Aliens story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In Underpants are some family-friendly magic and mayhem! The popular picture book has been translated Many a year before Harry’s Hogwarts hocus- selling the show as into more than 60 languages, selling in ex- one that’s so funny pocus took the world by storm, Jill Murphy cess of 52 million copies... wrote a series of books about ordinary-girl ‘you’ll laugh your This 50th anniversary stage version of Carle’s pants off’. Mildred and her adventures at a school for much-loved tale is presented alongside three witches. The Worst Witch, first published in And they may well be right about that. other popular children’s stories by the same Based on the bestselling children’s book by 1974, spawned seven sequels, a movie and a author: Brown Bear, Brown Bear; 10 Little Claire Freedman and Ben Cort, the produc- television series, with worldwide book sales Rubber Ducks; and The Very Lonely Firefly. tion features ‘stunning effects, madcap ac- reaching the five million mark. The show features no fewer than 75 ‘lovable tion and original music’. This brand new show is directed by Theresa puppets’. Heskins and comes complete with original And if that little lot isn’t enough to tempt you, songs, music, magic and a healthy dose of the promise of a close encounter with ‘lots of aliens’ surely is... Mildred-created pandemonium. Madagascar The Musical Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 7 - Sat 11 May The Flying Bath The Jungle Book The smell of the greasepaint and roar of the Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, Sat 25 May The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, crowd has tempted the furry cast of Madagas- Mon 27 May car the movie to forsake New York's Central Take a book by the brilliant Julia Donaldson, Made universally popular by the classic Walt Park Zoo in favour of treading the boards on place it into the award-winning hands of Lit- Disney movie, Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book a UK tour. tle Angel theatre company - and wait for the tells the story of a young boy named Mowgli The blockbuster DreamWorks film comes to theatrical magic to happen... who’s been raised in the jungle by a family of life in Wolverhampton when Alex the Lion, When everyone has left the house in the wolves. His friends, Baloo the bear and Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Glo- morning, the bath toys spring into action and Bagheera the panther, are determined to save ria the hip hip Hippo stampede onto the head off on exciting adventures in their magi- him from the evil intentions of Shere Khan stage with a great big jungle roar. cal flying bath!

28 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:58 Page 8

whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Calendar Girls Tim Firth.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:31 Page 1

Calenda Award-winning musical comes to the Midlands… Girls Calendar Girls Tim Firth.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:31 Page 2

by Lauren Cole

What’s On speaks to playwright and screenwriter Tim Firth about his heartwarming production...

The original ‘calendar girls’ took the world by lives, especially for women at the local That-inspired show, The Band. storm when they posed nude for a charity cal- Women’s Institute. They started an interna- “There’s a saying that all playwrights write endar following the death of one of their hus- tional phenomenon and raised so much basically the same play but from different an- bands from the blood cancer, non-Hodgkin money for the charity Bloodwise. The nude gles throughout their career, and I think that lymphoma. Since then, their witty, uplifting calendar rose in popularity as a way of rais- could be applied to songwriters also. This can story has touched millions across the world. ing cash for a variety of causes while at the be pretty damaging for a musical because same time having a really good laugh. What In 2003, Tim Firth took on the task of writing after two hours of sitting in a theatre, it can made the Calendar Girls’ calendar so special the screenplay for a film about their story, become pretty obvious that you’re hearing al- was that, firstly, the photographs, taken by and then followed it up with a stage play. He most the same song over and over. The great Terry Logan, were works of art within them- then joined forces with Gary Barlow - and thing about Gary is that he gave me so many selves, and secondly, that it was understated. Calendar Girls The Musical was born… ideas. Also, I think because he’s been work- It was all about what you didn’t see; it was a ing the length of time that he has, he re- “Gary and I have known each other for a very fan dance. Also, if there had just been the sponds to different lyrics with different kinds long time,” Tim explains. “We’d talked about idea of making the calendar, as opposed to of songs. Originally we had over 90 songs, writing a musical together for ages but had making it in response to grief and loss, the and it’s like looking at the wall of an old- nothing to write it about. Seeing as I’d al- mixture would have been a lot less potent. fashioned sweet shop. Through the story, you ready done Calendar Girls as a film and a The reason people react to it in the theatre is hit certain points and jars start to rattle on play, it was the last place I was looking. But because everyone has been touched by loss the shelf and everything falls into place. To the play was always slightly straining to be a and grief, even if it’s not directly through dis- do that, though, you have to have a very musical, I think. What then emerged was a ease. The reason it works as a show is be- strong work ethic, and Gary certainly has different structure to the story. If you’ve seen cause people are laughing and crying at the that. So in Calendar Girls, we have the variety the play, the calendar shoot comes at the end same time. In a way, that’s what people of songs and tones that you need for a musi- of the first act, but in the musical it only across the world were doing in response to cal - and in a more acoustic style too, rather comes right at the very end. What this does is the actual calendar; it was a witty act of war than the pop music Gary is best known for.” allow us to spend more time with the women, against grief. People respond to that bravery their husbands and their children. This little and valiance.” Tim has other exciting projects in the village becomes a small poem for the rest of pipeline: “I’ve got my new comedy, This Is My Tim views the original Calendar Girls as pio- the world that’s full of hope and wit, and is Family, and Gary and I have already started neers of body positivity, challenging the idea all about defeating despair through comedy.” thinking of ideas for our next musical, so that a woman’s body had to fit with a certain we’re busy stockpiling songs. We’ve also been Tim admits Calendar Girls is close to his image: “It’s 20 years since they made the cal- preparing for The Band’s tour of Germany, heart: “It’s set in a tiny village in Yorkshire, endar, and they were so forward-looking with and then Gary will be going out on tour but which also happened to be the village where regard to body-image issues. Obviously, they will also be writing during that time.” my parents went on their honeymoon about hadn’t been airbrushed in any way. Also, in 50 years ago, and to which they took us back the lead-up to the calendar, they all decided And finally, back to Calendar Girls. What many times as kids. I knew the views and I to go on a diet, but that didn’t work out and does Tim think makes the production an knew the way the people spoke, so there was they gave up! I think what’s so beautiful experience not to be missed? a degree of familiarity there for me that about the pictures on the calendar is that “I think it’s an unusual show in that, for helped a lot. Purely by chance, my family and they’re just human beings. These aren’t many, it will be the first time they’ve ever I had gone to a Yorkshire fete and bought the women of an exactly similar shape and body ‘craughed’, to use a borrowed phrase, which calendar a year before I was even approached type - and that should be celebrated. Without means crying and laughing at the same time. to do the film. So I’d had it hanging on my wishing to make a statement about body Calendar Girls is also funny enough for you to wall for a year and I’d already met the real image, they actually made a very loud state- want to come back again. People just can’t Calendar Girls! It felt as if fate and the York- ment about it because it encouraged a great seem to get enough of it!” shire Dales were pushing me towards this sense of collective support. What was great story. In fact, given all those coincidences, I about the calendar, and what’s great about think I’d have been really annoyed if some- the story subsequently being on stage, is that one else had written it!” you get the idea of women sticking together, saluting everybody’s individual body shape Tim has a number of theories as to why the Calendar Girls The Musical shows at and encouraging each other for a common Birmingham Hippodrome from Tuesday original calendar was such a phenomenon: goal.” “In the first instance, it was completely unex- 28 May to Saturday 8 June, and then at pected and such a funny idea to do a nude Calendar Girls isn’t the only musical on Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from calendar with normal people in their normal which Tim has collaborated with Gary Bar- Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 September. low. They also worked together on the Take BRB Peter and The Wolf.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:55 Page 1

PETER AND THE WOLF gets an urban makeover

30 whatsonlive.co.uk BRB Peter and The Wolf.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:55 Page 2

by Patsy Moss

Birmingham Royal Ballet choreographer and First Artist Ruth Brill talks about delivering an exciting new staging of Prokofiev’s much-loved tale…

An hour-and-a-half spent watching Ruth Brill quite challenging. The show has to be widely out, so it’s best for me to say, ‘What do you putting her choreography skills into action in accessible for families, but my work also think on this, Paul?’ The experts contribute rehearsals for Peter And The Wolf makes for a needs to stand up in its own right when per- their knowledge, I listen and learn. mesmerising experience. Seeing the rumble formed at Birmingham Hippodrome and Lon- I’m still performing with BRB. When I go back unfold between Bird and Wolf gave me a real don Sadler’s Wells.” to that role, I find that my whole approach as sense of how technically challenging it is to Ruth’s approach to satisfying the show’s di- a dancer has changed. I can’t unsee what I’ve put together a Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) verse audience is to keep the narration and learned as a choreographer, on the other production of this magnitude. music true to the original but at the same time side.” Commissioned by outgoing Director David make the setting an urban one. Ruth believes that it’s crucial to let the Bintley, Peter And The Wolf is Ruth’s fourth “Peter And The Wolf is a carefully protected dancers find their own way in a production: commission for BRB. She’s been with the work, and rightly so, as it’s genius. That’s why “If there are two people doing the same role company for seven years as a First Artist, and we’re keeping the core as is. What we are on different days, I don’t feel that they have to her choreographic repertoire (for BRB) to date doing, however, is transporting it to a new set- do it in exactly the same way. Yes, the steps comprises Rhapsody In Blue (2014), ting. Rather than being done in a traditional need to be the same. Yes, the key moments Matryoshka (2015) and Arcadia (2017). way, with a meadow, grandfather’s house and need to be the same, but within that there’s But as Ruth herself admits, Peter And The a forest, we’re setting it in an urban environ- stretch for them to find their own character. Wolf is her most ambitious project to date. ment. I’m collaborating with Spike Kilburn on They then have ownership with their own Her excitement about presenting the show to the set and costume design. The audience will interpretation of the role.” a Midlands audience is palpable: “It’s such an see the tree represented by a huge scaffolding Each of the production’s nine cast members iconic, much-loved story that’s familiar to so tower. It has different levels, a ladder, a pulley has a crucial role in telling the story of Peter many people. Anyone of my age or older and rope with which to catch the wolf. The And The Wolf. “It’s quite a small cast, but I would probably recognise the music. A characters are dressed in street wear. Spike think the amazing thing about this - and the younger generation may not know it, so now has a wealth of experience and great vision. dancers love it too - is that everybody has a seems a perfect opportunity for us to retell the It’s really exciting, as this is the first time he’s character. There’s no big ensemble. We have story.” designed for ballet. There are certainly no Peter, Bird, Cat, Duck, Grandad, Wolf, three tutus in sight!” But this isn’t just any old retelling of Peter hunters and that’s it. Each member of the cast And The Wolf... The music for Peter And The Wolf was origi- has a key role and has their own character to nally written to explain to children about the focus on.” In a quest to appeal to a wider audience, instruments in an orchestra. Every character BRB’s staging of one of Prokofiev’s finest So with the premiere of this much-anticipated has an instrument depicting a theme which works has been given an urban feel - as Ruth production fast approaching, and with will be cleverly used throughout. Ruth is keen explains: “One of the main slants is that Peter umpteen hours of rehearsal under her belt, to point out that although construction of a is going to be played by a girl. It feels very cur- what’s Ruth’s biggest concern about putting production like this always begins with the rent to have a strong heroine at the heart of on her most challenging show to date? music, it’s very much a collaborative affair, the story. This production has dance, narra- “When you’ve made your decisions and and one in which she sees herself as the pro- tion and music all rolled into one, which you’ve set the choreography on the dancers, ject manager, wearing many hats. makes it very accessible because the story is the hardest thing is letting go, letting the per- explained. People don’t expect spoken word “I like to be really involved in every aspect of formance happen. On the night of the pre- as a major element when they go to a ballet. It the process. I see all of the elements - set, cos- miere performance, I’m going to be sitting in breaks down the barriers, so no-one should tume, music, dancers, even the marketing the audience with everyone else, watching. feel apprehensive that they won’t understand campaign - as part of the choreographer’s vi- It’s about detaching and trusting that your the story or know what’s going on.” sion. I trust everyone in charge of those differ- team - the technicians, the musicians, the ent aspects; they have their input and they dancers - will pull it together and do you Ruth’s brief for Peter And The Wolf was a take my ideas to a place that I wouldn’t have proud. Then the production becomes its own challenging one in that it’s being performed got to on my own. However, it’s down to me to thing in its own right, living and breathing as part of BRB’s Home From Home tour, ensure that all of these different threads com- and going on...” which means the production will visit Mid- bine to become a coherent whole. The whole lands venues outside Birmingham; in Wolver- process is a learning curve, and every day I’m hampton, Shrewsbury and Malvern. It will Birmingham Royal Ballet’s performance learning. Principal Conductor Paul Murphy then form part of a programme on the main of Peter And The Wolf shows at Theatre has been so pivotal in this journey because so stage at Birmingham Hippodrome and Lon- Severn, Shrewsbury on Fri 17 & Sat 18 May; much of this production comes back to the don’s Sadlers Wells later in the year. Malvern Festival Theatre, Tues 21 & Wed 22 music. Speeds are really crucial in how every- May; and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, “My brief for the Home From Home tour is thing builds. Paul knows this music inside- Fri 24 & Sat 25 May.

whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Dance April.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 11:56 Page 1

Dance

Rosie Kay: 10 Soldiers Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 21 May The award-winning Rosie Kay Dance Com- pany this month make a welcome return to present an expanded version of their highly acclaimed 2010 production, 5 Soldiers: The Body Is The Frontline - an exploration of how the human body remains essential to war in the 21st century. “Working with soldiers over the last 10 years has been an incredible and eye-open- ing experience,” says Rosie. “Over 8,000 people join the British Army each year, yet it’s not a world that many members of the public get to access. “Using dance, 5 Soldiers has clearly touched a lot of people, with the response from soldiers, veterans and audiences being incredibly positive. Inspired by my own ex- perience of a career-threatening injury, I wanted to tell this story of how soldiers’ bodies remain essential on the frontline. The show digs down into the foundations of their commitment to each other, inner strength and dedication in coping with war and recovery. It’s a story that I hope inspires empathy and a greater understanding of life from a soldier’s perspective.”

Autin Dance Theatre: Dystopia Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Fri 31 May “We draw on contemporary social issues and into intense dance worlds which we hope events to make work which is beautifully will resonate with them long after they leave crafted, accessible and relevant,” says the auditorium.” Johnny Autin, the founder of Birmingham- The company’s latest work is a thought-pro- based Autin Dance Theatre. “The company is voking dance-theatre duet which takes a gaining a reputation for creating powerful look at the human need for connection and performances and catapulting audiences belonging. Northern Ballet: Puss In Boots Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 4 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Fri 7 June; Crewe Lyceum, Sat 8 June Leeds-based Northern Ballet has developed a reputation for producing work which is as much about storytelling as it is about dancing - a fact very much in evidence in its latest children’s production. Puss In Boots follows on from the company’s hugely successful adaptations of Goldilocks & The Three Bears, The Ugly Duckling and Tor- toise And The Hare. The production is approx- imately 40 minutes in length and offers the - dare we say - purr-fect introduction to live ballet, music and theatre for younger chil- dren... 32 whatsonlive.co.uk Dance April.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 11:56 Page 2

Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Amina Khayyam Thurs 16 & Fri 17 May Dance Company: The autumn may still be a summertime away, but fans of Strictly Come Dancing A Thousand Faces don’t need to wait for darker nights and Warwick Art Centre, Coventry, colder temperatures in order to enjoy their Thurs 9 May next fix of the hit television series’ glorious Fusing classical Kathak dance with glitz and glamour. puppetry, the Amina Khayyam Dance This ever-popular stage show brings to- Company here presents a bold perform- gether some of Strictly’s professional ance examining the worldwide phenom- dancers for an evening of ‘sequins, sparkle ena of acid violence against women. The and stunning production values’, not to piece engages its audience via the intri- mention some truly fleet-of-foot presenta- cate and detailed theatrical movements tions of the very best in ballroom and Latin of abhinaya - a South Asian classical dancing. technique of communication based on a narrative mode. Ballet Black Triple Bill Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 23 & Fri 24 May

National Dance Company Afterimage makes use of mirrors to form a ‘unique theatrical experience where the past Wales: Awakening and present collide with a poetic and cre- Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tuesday 7 May ative style of dance’... Revellers’ Mass, mean- With its mission statement to create extraor- while, is a new work inspired by famous dinary and inclusive dance which engages religious paintings such as DaVinci’s The and resonates with audiences, National Last Supper... The triple bill is completed by Dance Company Wales ‘makes dance for Tundra, a piece that ‘tears pages from the stages large and small, in unusual spaces Russian history books on folk dance, mass and online’. parades and revolution, revitalising old The ensemble is here presenting three works ideas with renewed meaning’. designed to ‘amuse and amaze’...

Eighteen-year-old company Ballet Black comprises British and international dancers of black and Asian descent and takes an impressively daring approach to its work. Under the guidance of highly rated Artistic Director Cassa Pancho, the company here presents Ingoma (Song) - a fusion of ballet, African dance and singing - Martin Lawrance’s intimate duet, Pendulum - the choreographer’s first work for the company back in 2009 - and the premiere of an origi- nal and lighthearted work by Scottish Bal- let’s choreographer-in-residence, Sophie Laplane. whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Dance XChange.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:46 Page 1

First steps into dance Dance takes centre stage in a new education initiative in Birmingham

Hundreds of children are taking their first rather than positioning it on the periphery as topics such as electricity and the weather, steps into dance thanks to a new education part of PE. What we bring is the expertise to and we have also been working with groups initiative by Birmingham-based DanceX- create a bespoke programme with each on positive social interaction, empathy and change. school. well-being. Sessions begin by encouraging the children to think creatively, building on Launched in the autumn of last year, the “In order to ensure that we’re making a long- something they can relate to, for example the dance agency’s schools programme is reach- term impact, we prefer to deliver sessions creative task might be ‘imagine you’re a sol- ing into classrooms across the city, introduc- weekly across a whole academic year. Each dier’ or ‘imagine you’re splashing around in a ing youngsters to dance and using movement school and each class can work differently, puddle’. Our dance artist then guides them to to support the wider school curriculum. depending on the children’s needs and fo- develop movement material around this, to cuses. This new focus on education is the latest step shape their own choreography,” explains in a refreshed strategy for DanceXchange, “While a final performance could be an im- Alex. which is based in the Birmingham Hippo- portant goal, our focus is predominantly on The response to the new programme so far drome campus. For more than 25 years, the process itself and the learning journey has exceeded expectations, with school DanceXchange has supported the growth and the children are on. Their responses and their teachers observing that the sessions have development of dance in the Midlands, con- voices are respected so that they feel a true had a positive impact on the children, help- necting people with great dance, nurturing sense of ownership and achievement by the ing them to gain confidence beyond the young dancers and championing some of the end of the programme.” classroom. UK’s most exciting choreographers – as well For some pupils, it is the first time they have as producing the award-winning Birmingham “We have found that many of the children taken part in organised dance activities. International Dance Festival. have benefitted from increased self-aware- “The children may see the sessions as a way ness, getting to know themselves better and Now the new education project sees dance to express themselves, they may develop expressing themselves more confidently,” artists visiting schools throughout the aca- dance as a hobby or they may find a real says Alex. demic year, working with teachers in pri- commitment to it,” says DanceXchange’s mary, secondary and special needs schools. “Dance has also proved a perfect fit with Head of Learning and Participation Alex Hen- They offer a tailored programme that meets schools’ well-being initiatives and can make wood. “The programme gives them the intro- the specific needs of each school, with op- a valuable contribution to pupils’ personal duction to technical skills and creative tions including themed and topic-based development as well-rounded individuals. expression so they can absorb the experience learning, specialist sessions for GCSE and and use it for their own personal develop- “Each child is unique and not every child has BTEC levels and Continuing Professional De- ment. the chance to express their individuality velopment for teachers. within the school structure. We hope that “We enjoy taking a thematic approach and DanceXchange’s Executive Director Clare dance allows those children to feel they have making sessions cross-curricular. For in- Lewis explains: “We are passionate about a chance to shine, find a new skill to excel in stance, we’ve been working on curriculum placing dance at the heart of the curriculum and express themselves.” Dance XChange.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 09:46 Page 2

This year the initiative has taken a huge leap able to work with the young people in a really Birmingham where he was busking, doing forward with a project connecting five Birm- bespoke way, so that each individual’s re- hip hop,” recalls Alex. “He came to CAT, then ingham schools which will lead to a perform- sponses are heard and reflected in the mak- went on to dance in National Youth Dance ance by around 500 children and young ing of each piece,” Clare adds. “For us, the Company for two years and now he has set people at the city’s Town Hall in July. The value and legacy of this project is as much in up his own street dance youth academy work has been commissioned by Living Arts the artistic process as it is in the final prod- Brums Dynasty in Birmingham and is invest- Network, supported by the West Midlands uct. We want this to be a rich and engaging ing back into his community and the region, Bridge Organisation Arts Connect, and brings creative process for young people and teach- helping the next generation.” together pupils from five Roman Catholic ers alike, and for them to own and be proud It is success stories like those of Vidya and Schools based in and around Chelmsley of what they share at the final performance Christian which ensure DanceXchange will Wood – John Henry Newman Catholic College event in July.” continue to foster young talent – whether and St John the Baptist, St Thomas More, St For the DanceXchange team, working with this is in the school classroom or through its Anne’s and St Anthony’s Primary Schools. schools is a vital way to engage the next gen- own training programmes. “It’s a creative dance and music project eration in dance at a grassroots level and to “It’s really rewarding to know we are helping which centres on the themes of identity, be- develop the audiences, performers and lead- to create the next generation of successful longing and community and uses the ers of the future. dance artists who are highly skilled and re- schools’ mottos as an artistic stimulus,” says “Our schools work can be a first step for chil- ally capable,” says Alex. “We see it as our job Clare. “For example one class has composed dren to discover they have a talent and a pas- to find these young people with real talent a really heartfelt and uplifting song around sion for dance – which we can then nurture and invest in them so they can go onto the the John Henry Newman Catholic College through our training and talent development next stage.” motto ‘Heart speaks to heart’ – helping the programmes Generate and the Centre for Ad- young people to connect more deeply with Clare adds: “These young people are our rea- vanced Training (CAT), providing young peo- their school values and also with one an- son for being. We want to inspire and facili- ple with the tools to reach their potential as other. This song will be performed live by the tate their journey through dance, supporting dancers,” explains Alex. students as well as being mixed to create a talent right from the grass-roots, through en- track for the dance piece they are soon to Successful CAT alumni include Vidya Patel, gagement with those who want to enjoy choreograph with our hip hop artist. who was a finalist in BBC Young Dancer in dance just for itself, right through to encour- 2015 and has been a guest artist with Richard aging excellence in young people who want “For us, this is an amazing opportunity to de- Alston Dance Company. Vidya was also re- to progress to careers in dance.” liver an authentic and empowering artistic cently nominated for Outstanding Female experience for young people across all five Modern Performance at the 2018 National project schools. Dance Awards. For more on all of DanceXchange’s “It has been important to bring on board a programmes see “Christian Griffin, another successful stu- team of artists who share our ethos and are www.dancexchange.org.uk dent, was talent-spotted on the streets of Comics Salopia.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 16:52 Page 1 Escape to another world...

Renowned comic book artist Charlie Adlard talks about his involvement in Shrewsbury’s brand new Comics Salopia event - ‘a festival with a difference’...

34 whatsonlive.co.uk Comics Salopia.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 16:52 Page 2

by Stephen Taylor

If, one day, The Walking Dead does finish, I’ll be perfectly happy doing French comic books for the rest of my career Charlie Adlard

Judge“ Dredd, The Beano and The Walking For Charlie, the Beano event exemplifies the Dead are just some of the iconic publications broad appeal of the festival: “We’re trying to showcased at a brand new event coming to say, ‘Comics are for everyone, whether it’s Shrewsbury in early June. The Beano, Dandy, something from Redan ” [Publishing] - the local publisher that does Described as ‘a festival with a difference’, pre-school and young kids’ magazines like Comics Salopia will celebrate comic art and Peppa Pig - through to Marvel Comics, its associated wider culture with a series of [Japanese] manga, French comics, under- events at numerous venues across the ground comics, everything. We’re trying to Shropshire town. embrace the whole culture and show people The festival is the brainchild of former Mayor that there’s something for everyone.” of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jane Mackenzie. While others of a similar age to him may have Conscious of the need to create something been devouring copies of The Beano in their unique for the town, Jane approached local youth, Charlie was developing a fascination comic book artist Charlie Adlard with the for superheroes from across the Atlantic. notion of staging a comics event. “When I was really young, my dad had a Charlie has been the artist on the hugely newsagent in Wellington. I remember there successful zombie apocalypse comic book being a spinner rack which had American series, The Walking Dead, for the past 15 comic books. That was what I was brought up years. on, so, since 1972, I was able to access this “My favourite conventions are not ‘conven- stuff, from issue one, to two, to three, to four, tions’, they’re festivals,” says Charlie, “and to five.”

there’s a fundamental difference between a Photo credit: Jamie Ricketts at Shropshire Star Just over 30 years later, Charlie started work convention and a festival. Festivals are cele- on The Walking Dead comic book series, Walking Dead good notice, so we gave him a brations that should be open to everybody.” unaware that it would still be paying the bills year, saying, ‘I want to get back into doing A self-confessed devotee of French comic more than a decade later. both’ because I was getting frustrated and I books, Charlie drew on Gallic inspiration for didn’t enjoy the process. “When Robert [Kirkman] asked me to do it, I what could be achieved in Shrewsbury. was thinking, ‘Great, this could be my oppor- “He did a great job. He was the second-best ‘There’s this amazing festival in Angoulême, tunity to do long-form storytelling’. I didn’t inker on my work, after me, and he genuinely France, and it’s one of the biggest in the know at the time that it would last this long, did a good job, but I wanted to get back and world. It attracts over 100,000 people to a but here we are, 16 years later, still running take full control.” town that’s not too dissimilar in size to with this zombie soap opera!” Apart from his work on The Walking Dead, Shrewsbury. I said to Jane, ‘If we’re going to The Walking Dead was adapted for TV in Charlie has also developed a passion for do it, that’s how I’d like to see it done; 2010, though it would appear that many of comic books from across the Channel. His involve the town, be all-inclusive.” the show’s viewers are ignorant of the origi- second French comic book, Vampire State An interactive exhibition of Charlie’s art - nal comic books, a fact that Charlie takes in Building, was published in early April. featuring original artwork from a complete his stride. “I was a big fan of Asterix, which, when I was issue of The Walking Dead - will form just “I’d say one in 10 people would have heard of six or seven, I didn’t realise was French. one of the many attractions at Comics the comic. Most people go, ‘It’s a TV show,’ French comic books are probably my Salopia. and I inform them that it’s a comic and we’re favourite part of the whole world of comics. I “We’ve got events going on in the prison, the the co-creators, blah-de-blah-blah, and they love the way they’re produced, and I love the castle and the Guildhall. Loads of shops will go, ‘Oh my god, really?’ But that’s the way way the French call comic books the ninth have displays, there’ll be stuff in the Square, Hollywood eats up these things, and fair art, so they respect it enough that they lump and we’ve got a big Judge Dredd experience enough, it’s not up to them to promote the it in with painting, sculpture and the other happening in the prison. The object is to take original source material. It’s there in the arts. over the town and turn it into comic books credits.” “If, one day, The Walking Dead does finish, central.” With issue 191 of The Walking Dead due to be I’ll be perfectly happy doing French comic Many visitors to the two-day festival will have published on the weekend of Comics Salopia, books for the rest of my career.” grown up in a world of comics rather than after several years of pencilling the comic comic books, with titles such as The Beano book, Charlie is looking forward to taking on introducing generations of readers to the inking duties from issue 193. likes of Biffo The Bear and Lord Snooty. Comics Salopia takes place at various “I’ve never really enjoyed just pencilling, to Comics Salopia’s An Audience With The Shrewsbury locations on Saturday 1 & be honest. I’m my own best inker, if you see Beano promises to be an amusing discussion Sunday 2 June. See overleaf for our pick what I mean, so I’ve just gone back to inking. on the enduring success of one of Dundee’s of festival highlights... I wanted to give the guy who was inking The finest exports.

whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Comics Salopia.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 16:52 Page 3 Comics Salopia.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 16:52 Page 4

Top picks You’ll be surprised, amazed and thrilled by what the festival has in store... For full festival listings, head to comicssalopia.com

How Do I Become An Audience With A Comics Writer? The Beano: with Jamali Maddix Live panel with 4 Beano Legends A ‘lively, fascinating and fun discussion’ about creating Join Beano editor John stories for comic books, in Anderson as he welcomes to which standup comedian the stage four of the comic Jamali Maddix quizzes a book’s top artists and writers panel of international comic - Nigel Parkinson, Laura writers - Andy Diggle, Chip Howell, Lew Stringer and the Kidd, Alex Paknadel and Star legendary Hunt Emerson. Wars writer Pierrick Colinet included - about industry trade secrets.

Interview with From Hellboy to Tyler Kirkham Baltimore... The Venom & Spider-Man Exclusive event which sees cover artist talks to Ollie Leonard Sultana interview MacNamee about his Hellboy, Baltimore and BPRD professional career, which artist Ben Stenbeck about his stretches back almost 15 time in the movie industry, years. his working methods and As well as working for the what drives him to keep world’s biggest superhero making comics... publishers, Tyler has also published graphic novels and children’s books.

The Zombie Walk An Interview with Be part of the festival and Eric Stephenson make yourself into one of the by Kieron Gillen undead for a fun zombie walk Join Star Wars and X-Men through the town. The best writer Kieron Gillen in zombies will be awarded conversation with publisher special prizes by Walking and head honcho at Image Dead artist and co-creator Comics, Eric Stephenson. Charlie Adlard. The walk Together, the duo will cover starts at the Castle Grounds subjects including creator- on the Saturday afternoon at owned comics and how the 2pm and goes all the way ’90s upstart publisher has down Pride Hill to the Square, become America’s third where the winners will be largest publisher of comic awarded their prizes. books... whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Film May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:56 Page 1

Film

Rocketman CERT tbc Starring Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Stephen Graham, Gemma Jones Directed by Dexter Fletcher (UK/USA) Reginald Dwight took up piano lessons at the age of seven and four years later won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. But he was really a fan of Elvis and Bill Haley & His Comets, and it was this passion that was to steer him towards a career in rock’n’roll. In 1972 he changed his name to Elton John... Although for technical reasons he never got a credit on Bohemian Rhapsody, Dexter Fletcher actually directed much of that film (after the original director, Bryan Singer, was dismissed) and high hopes are resting on his new musical biography. The screenplay is by Lee Hall, whose script for Billy Elliot was nominated for an Oscar. Released Fri 24 May CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in May...

A Dog’s Journey CERT PG Extremely Wicked, Tolkien CERT 12a (112 mins) Starring Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Shockingly Evil And Vile Starring Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Colm Henry Lau, Kathryn Prescott, Dennis Quaid Meaney, Derek Jacobi and the voice of Josh Gad CERT tbc (108 mins) Directed by Dome Karukoski (USA) Directed by Gail Mancuso (USA) Starring Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario, Jeffrey Donovan, Angela Sarafyan, John Malkovich Directed by Joe Berlinger (USA) Talk about loyal. Elizabeth Kloepfer (Lily Collins) believed only the best of her boyfriend and it wasn’t until many years after his conviction that she conceded Ted Bundy (Zac Efron) was the killer of at least 30 young girls and women. This is the eighth time the killer has been portrayed on the big screen. Released Fri 3 May

Bailey, a dog of many colours and, indeed, Before he went on to write The Lord Of The breeds, finds his soul moving on in this un- Rings, John Tolkien was an orphan who expected sequel to the episodic and fright- found himself something of an outcast at Ox- fully saccharine A Dog’s Purpose (2017). ford. But he also formed a friendship with Well, the first film did make over $200mil- some of his fellow outsiders, a bond that was lion. to inspire his creation of Middle-Earth. Released Fri 3 May Released Fri 3 May

38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:56 Page 2

Film highlights released in May...

The Hustle CERT 12a (94 mins) Starring Anne Hathaway, Rebel Wilson, Alex Sharp, Dean Norris, Tim Blake Nelson Directed by Chris Addison (USA) It may look like Ocean’s Two, but this comic story of a pair of female con artists is actually a remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) - which, itself, was a remake of Bedtime Story (1964). Released Fri 10 May

EDITOR’S CHOICE

which really did present A Whole New Aladdin CERT PG World. Here, there will be new songs Starring Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi penned by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Pokémon Detective Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen who previously lit up the soundtracks of Directed by Guy Ritchie (USA) La La Land and The Greatest Showman, as Pikachu CERT PG (104 mins) This might not be a subject one might as- well as the original numbers by Alan Starring Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Suki Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Waterhouse, Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy and the sociate with the director of Lock, Stock voice of Ryan Reynolds And Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, but Aladdin is played by the Egyptian-Cana- Directed by Rob Letterman (USA/Japan) then Guy Ritchie did dabble with fantasy dian newcomer Mena Massoud, and Ryan Reynolds supplies the voice of the in King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword. Al- Princess Jasmine by the London-born eponymous Pikachu, an ace Pokémon detec- addin, though, is very different, as it’s Naomi Scott. Will Smith is the Genie with tive who teams up with the son of his partner aimed at a family audience and is a live-ac- the magic lamp. after the latter goes missing. Let’s hope this is tion remake of Disney’s 1992 cartoon Released Wed 22 May more successful than the previous human/creature crossover semi-animated shambles, The Happytime Murders (2018). Released Fri 10 May Booksmart CERT 15 (102 mins) Godzilla: King Of Monsters Starring Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie Feldstein, Jes- CERT tbc sica Williams, Billie Lourd, Lisa Kudrow, Will Starring Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Forte, Jason Sudeikis Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitford, Sally Directed by Olivia Wilde (USA) Hawkins, O'Shea Jackson Jr, David Strathairn, Marking the directorial debut of the actress Ken Watanabe, Zhang Ziyi Directed by Michael Dougherty (USA) Olivia Wilde, this comedy focuses on two high school over-achievers who realise that An all-star cast steps up to the plate to marvel they have let academia get in the way of fun. at the mighty combat of Godzilla and a vari- And they have only one night to make up for ety of humongous beasties, including the all their years of hard work. three-headed King Ghidorah. This is the third instalment in the so-called MonsterVerse. The Secret Life Released Mon 27 May Released Fri 31 May Of Pets 2 CERT PG With the voices of Patton Oswalt, Eric Ston- estreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Tiffany Had- Ma CERT 15 (96 mins) dish, Harrison Ford Starring Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis, Diana Directed by Chris Renaud and Jonathan Del Val Silvers, Luke Evans, McKaley Miller, Missi Pyle (USA) Directed by Tate Taylor (USA) Max the Jack Russell has his life turned up- A lonely women (Octavia Spencer) befriends side down when his owner gets married and some teenagers and allows them to party at has a child. Patton Oswalt takes over as Max, her place - on the condition that they call her after the original voice artist, Louis C.K., was ‘Ma’. Among other things… From the director mired in sexual misconduct allegations. In of The Help (2011) and The Girl On The Train 3D. (2016). Released Wed 22 May Released Fri 31 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Visual Arts May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:08 Page 1

Visual Arts previews from around the region

British Wildlife Photographer Awards Exhibition Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sat 11 May - Tues 10 September “No other image in my portfolio had been so clearly conceived and yet so difficult to achieve,” says Paul Colley in talking about Con- trails At Dawn, the image with which he won last year’s British Wildlife Photographer of the Year award, and which takes pride of place in this touring exhibition of the 2018 competition’s best entries. “I experienced a huge gradient of emotion. There were the lows felt during months of long, cold and exhausting dusk-to-dawn ses- sions, sometimes waist deep in water and often without getting a single usable image. And then the natural highs of those lightbulb moments, when new ideas blossomed, problems were solved and the project inched closer towards having the potential to win this exceptional ac- colade.” Photo credit: David Bennett, Goose Barnacles, Sanna Bay, Highland

40 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts May.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 14:08 Page 2

Visual Arts

Digital Diorama PACCAR Room, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 8 September Augmented reality technology - similar to popu- lar apps like Pokémon Go and BBC Civilisations - here brings to life a version of Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon - complete with perfor- mances by RSC actors and associate artists. To create the performances, the actors were recorded using photogrammetry and motion capture before being turned into avatars - digital versions of themselves. Commenting on the exhibition, RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran said: “Dioramas were very popular in the 19th century. They involved large-scale models with vast panoramas which could transport excited audiences into the midst of a battlefield, a storm at sea, or onto the slopes of an erupting volcano. “Our dioramas are digital. We’ve combined an Childhood Now Compton Verney Art Gallery, Warwickshire, until Sun 16 June old technique with the latest technology to take you right into Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon- Three contemporary figurative British painters - Chantal Joffe, Mark Fairnington and Avon. We’ve invited a great cast of RSC alumni Matthew Krishanu - here develop the conversation initiated in Compton Verney’s to perform tiny extracts from Shakespeare’s Painting Childhood exhibition by depicting childhood in very different ways. plays to illustrate a journey from birthplace to Joffe’s expressive paintings chart the growth of daughter Esme from birth to adolescence. graveyard, and introduce the Seven Ages of Mark Fairnington turns a scientific eye to the depiction of his twin sons with hyper- Man.” realistic precision. Matthew Krishanu’s radiant paintings reveal memories of an exotic childhood in Bangladesh. Taken together, the works aim to present a fresh perspective on what constitutes childhood in the 21st century. Royal Photographic Society: International Photography The White Bicycle Exhibition Library of Birmingham, Sat 4 - Thurs 30 May Andrew Lacon Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham, Exhibition until Sun 12 May New Art Gallery, Walsall, The world’s longest-running photographic exhi- until Sun 2 June bition makes a welcome return to the region and features 100 images taken by 54 contemporary The value of materials photographers. when viewed in different The images were selected from a shortlist of 189, contexts and historical which itself was created from a total of 7,327 en- periods, particularly in tries. The exhibition’s Midlands Arts Centre relation to public display, stop-off is its only one in the Midlands. is the subject of sculptor Andrew Lacon’s residency at the New Art Gallery. Photographer David Buss’s exhibition demonstrates During his time at the that bicycles are used not only as a means of venue, Andrew will transport, but also for other often surprising extend his knowledge purposes, whether that be as an object to personalise, into display strategies a memorial (known as ‘ghost bikes’), an artwork, a and the history of status symbol, a signifier or an item of nostalgia. sculpture, drawing on The exhibition’s title comes from David’s use of a photographs of the white bicycle as a recurring motif in his photographs; studio of sculptor Sir sometimes as a major element of the image, on other Jacob Epstein and the occasions simply as an incidental fragment. backdrop of sculpture on The show has been mounted to coincide with Velo display from the Birmingham, a major cycling event taking place in Permanent Collection. and around the city on Sunday 12 May.

whatsonlive.co.uk 41 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:57 Page 1

42 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:57 Page 2

Events previews from around the region Events

UK Slot Car Festival British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Sat 18 & Sun 19 May Billed as Europe’s biggest and best slot car event, this two-day festival promises great Scalextric fun for children and big kids! All the major slot car manufactur- ers, including Scalextric, will be at the event, allowing fans not only to meet them face-to-face but also to swap, buy and sell cars. There will also be plenty of interactive activities to enjoy, including a Let’s Go Racing competition, oval banger racing, a drag strip, H0 Scale tracks, digital layouts and a slot stunt show.

Red By Night tions, good food, living history and more’. Visitors to the Red By Night event will be in- The Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, vited to step inside period houses and shops to Sat 18 May discover how Black Country folk used to live. The Black Country Living Museum this month The evening also features street entertainment opens its doors ‘after hours’ to provide ‘an and the chance to try the museum’s 1930s-style atmospheric evening of industrial demonstra- fish and chips!

Freddo’s Treasure This Morning Live Donington Historic Festival Trove NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 16 - Sun 19 May Donington Park, Fri 3 - Sun 5 May Cadbury World, Birmingham, The live version of the popular ITV daytime show Sat 25 May - Sun 2 June returns to the NEC for a third year. Boasting in- Ahoy, me hearties! Cadbury’s spiring and informative content presented by Freddo is this half term donning This Morning’s very own stars, the show features his captain’s hat and teaching lit- more than 200 exhibitors offering shopping deals tle ones about becoming a pirate across four distinct areas - Beauty & Wellbeing, on the seven seas. Freddo’s show Fashion & Style, Home & Gifts and Food & Drink. comes complete with ‘a barrel of New for 2019 are two evening stage shows - An laughs and a chestful of goodies’ - Evening With The Speakmans and Loose Women but will your youngster have what Late: Girls’ Night Out. it takes to become a pirate - or might they have to walk the dreaded plank instead?!...

Fifteen grids take to the track across 18 races this month when 400-plus classic racing cars con- verge on Donington Park from all over the world. New for 2019, the international historic series Sportscar 2000 grid will be added to the timetable for 1961-71 two-litre cars, while making its festival debut will be the HRDC Allstars grid for pre-’66 sports, GT and touring cars. whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:57 Page 3

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:58 Page 4

Events previews from around the region Events

Knights’ Tournament Kenilworth Castle, Sun 26 - Mon 27 May Go back in time and get closer to the action as rival knights com- pete in the ultimate test of strength and skill. Arrows will fly, swords will clash and the winner will be decided in the Grand Melee finale. Immerse yourself in medieval life in the encampment, where you can meet people from the Middle Ages and try on a knight’s armour for yourself. Budding warriors can join in with drills out on the field, and even get a taste of medieval combat in the kids’ battle.

Shropshire Kids Festival slide, roll around in zorb balls, jump around on the inflatable obstacle course or have a go at a Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Sat 11 & Sun 12 May host of sports. Building popularity year on year, Shropshire For the more creatively minded youngster, Kids Festival is back and bigger than ever this there are music and drama performances to month. enjoy, relaxing storytime sessions in the book Event highlights include a specialised under- tent, the chance to play a variety of instru- fives area featuring crafts and inflatables. ments and the opportunity to get delightfully Kids who love an adventure can take part in cir- messy via a number of arty workshops. cus skills workshops, slip down the giant water

The Baby Show The Original Harlem Globetrotters NEC, Birmingham, Fri 17 - Sun 19 May Arena Birmingham, Thurs 2 May Sleep-deprived new parents would do well to call on their reserves of energy and get along to this Featuring some of the world’s popular show. Widely considered to be the UK’s finest athletes, the world famous leading pregnancy and parenting event, The Baby Globetrotters bring their spectacu- Show brings together leading retailers and lar show to Birmingham as part of brands, includes one-to-one demonstrations, and a worldwide tour. also provides the opportunity to ‘touch, feel and Expect ball-handling wizardry, compare’ items, enabling shoppers to make an in- rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, formed decision about their purchases. plenty of humour and some bril- liant fan interaction. Telford Balloon Fiesta Telford Town Park, Sat 11 & Sun 12 May It’s a case of up, up and away in Telford this month when the town’s family-friendly balloon festival makes a welcome return. As well as numerous arena performances and children’s activities, the two-day event also of- fers visitors the chance to experience their very own balloon ride. The Saturday evening sees the balloons lit up and dancing in a special glow-in- the-dark musical display.

whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:58 Page 5 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:58 Page 6

Events previews from around the region Events

Castle Capers Evening Dudley Castle, Fri 24 May There’s the chance to go back in time at Dudley Castle this month to learn about the history of the popular visitor attraction. Highlights of the evening include ghost and history walks, archery demonstrations and the opportu- nity to try on arms and armour. Attingham Camp Attingham Park, Shropshire, Sat 25 May Described as a ‘one-night, fun- filled camping spectacular in the beautiful grounds of Attingham Park’, this popular event is now in its fourth year. Guests can enjoy the National Trust site after dark and take part in a wide variety of family activi- RHS Malvern Spring Festival inspiration from exhibitors in the floral marquee ties, including storytelling and and acquire some handy hints and tips via nu- marshmallow-eating around the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, merous talks and demonstrations. Worcestershire, Thurs 9 - Sun 12 April campfire, twilight bushcraft and Famous faces appearing at this year’s show in- star-watching. Green-fingered horticultural types can prepare clude gardening favourites Monty Don, Joe Swift for the upcoming gardening season by paying a and Carol Klein, and culinary whizzes Raymond visit to this ever-popular festival and taking a Blanc and John Torode, who’ll be treating the stroll around the always-impressive selection of crowds to a feast of food-related chat. show gardens. There’s also the chance to gather

Seals in the City The National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham has opened a state-of-the-art marine rescue facility following multi-million pound investment and an extensive remodelling of the popular visitor attraction. Two of the newest residents of the rescue facility are Miley and Boo, seals who each have medical conditions which mean that they wouldn’t survive in the wild. Cherry Tree Walk Several rescued mammals will take up Mitton Manor, near Penkridge, Staffordshire, Sun 5 May residency in the newly engineered open-to-the- public environment, which spans two floors of Enjoy the beauty that spring the venue. The new facility has been carefully brings by admiring Mitton designed and constructed to emulate the Manor’s hopefully-in-full-bloom natural ocean habitat to which the mammals cherry trees and exploring the are accustomed. seven-acre country garden sur- Atmospheric effects in the themed area help rounding the Victorian manor create a replica environment to further house. enhance the experience. Visitors can also treat themselves For more information or to book tickets, visit to afternoon tea and a glass of sealife.co.uk/birmingham beer or Champagne to celebrate the bank holiday weekend.

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:58 Page 7

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Events May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 08:58 Page 8

Events previews from around the region Events

Midlands Air Festival Arbury Hall, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Fri 17 - Sun 19 May Taking place at Arbury Hall for the first time, the Midlands Air Festival offers three action-packed days of aviation-based fun. More than 30 aircraft are on dis- play across the weekend, 100 hot- air balloons take to the skies, and multiple exhibitors, rides and other forms of entertainment en- sure there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy. The Friday evening sees a Night- fire display lighting up the sky with pyrotechnics, a flying circus, glowing hot-air balloons and, of course, fireworks.

Shrewsbury Wacky Races fully avoiding the icy waters of the River Severn at the end of their journey! Quarry Park, Shrewsbury, Sun 26 May Competitors will work their way through a knock- Forty-four crazy soapbox cars descend on out-style competition, with only the fastest 10 Shrewsbury’s Quarry Park this Spring Bank Holi- cars making it through to the final, where they’ll day Sunday, as the town hosts its first ever wacky battle it out to take home the winner’s trophy. races. The event is free to attend, with pop-up street Spectators can watch as racers hurtle down the food stalls, bars and loads of family-fun activities 300m track in their carefully crafted carts, hope- all featuring. Unicorn Pony Rides Arley Arboretum, Worcestershire, Mon 6 and Mon 27 May Back by popular demand, the Bellator Birmingham: Primus vs Wilde Resorts World Arena, Sat 4 May magical unicorns of Arley Arbore- Leading mixed martial arts promoter Bellator periment’ Wilde. Birmingham’s hometown tum are making appearances on MMA's next event in the European Fight Series hero Fabian Edwards, who fights out of Team both of this month’s Bank Holiday is headlined by a lightweight bout between for- Renegade Gym, also competes on the card Mondays. mer Bellator world champion Brent alongside a host of other local fighters. Children can take a ride on a ‘uni- Primus and the Cannock-based Tim ‘The Ex- corn’ through the enchanted woodland, ending their journey at the Unicorn Bar and enjoying some special treats. The rides are suitable for young- sters aged three to 12, depending on size and height. Pre-booking is required.

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Eurovision feature.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:02 Page 1

Let’s hear it for the...

EurovisionEurovision superfan Dean Asker gives us the lowdown ahead of this month’s Song Contest...

Brexit or no Brexit, one thing is certain: the Netherlands. Duncan Laurence, pretty much song, Soldi, is my personal favourite. And UK will continue to take part in the unknown in his own country, sings Arcade, a Sweden’s John Lundvik (he looks after Eurovision Song Contest. Thankfully entry to superb, atmospheric ballad that really does himself too!) should do well with the gospel- everyone’s favourite musical event is not deserve to come out on top. The Dutch last flavoured Too Late For Love. limited to EU countries. won in 1975 with the classic Ding-A-Dong by Teach-In (YouTube it if you’re under 40), so The return of Sergey Indeed, this year, following Netta’s victory another win is very much overdue. Some with Toy, we’re in Tel Aviv in Israel, a full 20 readers might also be interested in years after the contest came from Jerusalem YouTubing Duncan’s promo video, which One of the biggest stories in the lead-up to (thanks to Dana International’s win in features him naked and underwater. this year’s contest has been the return of Birmingham in 1998). Sergey Lazarev for Russia. Sergey came third If unclothed men in water is your thing, then back in 2016 with the Eurobanger You Are The big news actually has nothing to do with also take a look at the video for Azerbaijan’s The Only One. Expectations for another the 41 countries taking part. Three years ago, entry. The beefy and topless Chingiz sings the strong entry were high, but when he released Justin Timberlake was the Contest’s interval very catchy Truth, which, if you concentrate his song, the bombastic ballad Scream, it was act, and now it’s Madonna’s turn. Although on the music (and not just the body!), could met with a muted response from fans. That not 100% signed and sealed, it’s looking very also be a contender for a top-five place. said, Sergey is a great performer and Russia likely that the Queen of Pop will perform two will throw the kitchen sink at the staging, so songs, including one from her forthcoming This year’s Eurovision has more than its fair its chances must not be dismissed. album. share of good-looking guys. Switzerland’s Luca Hänni is well fancied with She Got Me, What about the girls? The frontrunners which sounds a bit like the Latin hit Despacito. Luca’s definitely been hitting the gym, and it’s easily Switzerland’s best entry What about the girls? Well, following the But what of the competition itself? Do we since Celine Dion walked away with the second-placed success of Fuego last year, have any budding Madonnas in our midst? crown in 1988. Cyprus is sending another upbeat song, Well, maybe a couple, but this year’s front- Replay, by Tamta. Fans who love it get a bit runners are all men. If you can’t get enough of Eurovision totty, annoyed when you say it sounds like Fuego, then check out Italy’s Mahmood, whose but it does (not that that’s a bad thing!). To The favourite to win comes from the Eurovision feature.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:02 Page 2

How will the UK’s entrant Michael Rice fare on the Eurovision stage?

be fair, there are a few songs that seem to then I point you in the direction of have been inspired by the Cypriot entry from Norwegian pop trio KEiiNO. Spirit In The Sky 2018, including the aforementioned Swiss is pure Eurovision: poptastic, dramatic and entry and Chameleon by Malta’s Michela with a bit of Sami joik - ‘the traditional form Pace. To prove a point, some joker’s even of song of the Sami people’ - thrown in. What created a mash-up of these four tunes. Bigger Than Us is, more could you ask for? Well, maybe the “ entry from San Marino. Turkish crooner And as for the UK... Serhat returns to the contest for a second for me, the UK’s time with Say Na Na Na, the title of which The UK’s hopes rest with Michael Rice, who should really tell you everything you need to won the first series of BBC One talent show know. It’s cliched, a bit trashy, and yes, All Together Now. Michael has a powerful best entry since utterly fabulous. voice, and the song, Bigger Than Us (written by Swedish contender John Lundvik), is, for In a period when the world outside is a bit me, the UK’s best entry since Blue in 2011. Blue in 2011. Let’s divisive and downbeat, Eurovision provides a Let’s just hope Michael can nail the stage welcome distraction from these uncertain performance on the night. times. So pour yourself some Bucks Fizz, make sure plenty of nibbles are on hand, and

If Europop is really not your thing, then just hope Michael enjoy the most joyous musical experience of

Iceland’s ‘award-winning, anti-capitalist, the year. BDSM, techno-dystopian, performance art collective’ Hatari might be right up your can nail the stage “ street. Hatrið mun sigra is a slice of techno- The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 takes punk sung in Icelandic. That’s not something place in Tel Aviv, Israel, from Tuesday 14 you hear every day, is it? But it’s certainly performance to Saturday 18 May. different and should see Iceland back in the The Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC final after an absence of four years. One on Saturday 18 May.

If Europop is your thing (and I suspect it is), Eurovision feature.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:02 Page 3

The contenders Michael Rice has some stiff competition in Tel Aviv. Here are the bookies favourites... 50/1

13/8 4/1 8/1 Duncan Laurence Sergey Lazarev Mahmood THE NETHERLANDS RUSSIA ITALY

8/1 8/1 John Lundvik Luca Hänni Hatari 12/1

SWEDEN SWITZERLAND ICELAND

17 :B 18 :A 19 :A 20 7 :A 8 :C 9 :B 10 :C 11 :A 12 :A 13 :C 14 :B 15 :A 16 :C :B 1 :C 2 :A 3 :A 4 :B 5 :C 6 ANSWERS: :B Eurovision feature.qxp_Layout 1 01/05/2019 10:02 Page 4

Top marks or QUIZ ‘nul points’?

1. ABBA’s Waterloo won the 1974 Contest, 8. How many times has Norway ended 15. How is Thomas Neuwirth better but which song did the Swedish super- the Contest with ‘nil points’? known? group enter into their national heats the A. Four times A. Cliff Richard year before? B. Three times B. Conchita Wurst A. People Need Love C. Twice C. Alexander Rybak B. Ring Ring 9. Which of these songs did Jedward not C. Hasta Mañana 16. Which of these UK cities has not sing at the Contest? hosted the Contest? 2. How many UK number one singles did A. Lipstick 1981 winners Bucks Fizz have? B. Waterline A. Manchester B. Harrogate A. One C. All The Small Things B. Two C. Brighton C. Three 10. The last time the UK hosted the Con- test, it was presented by Terry Wogan and 17. Which of these pop groups unsuccess- 3. How many times has the UK finished in which other presenter? fully tried to represent Norway in the 2010 the Top 10 since 2010? A. Davina McCall Contest? A. None B. Ulrika Jonsson A. Brother Beyond B. Once C. Nathasha Kaplinsky B. S Club 7 C. Twice C. A1 11. Which of these countries is the only African country to have taken part in the 4. Which of these countries has yet to win Which former UK entrant said they Contest? 18. the Contest? would rather put pins in their eyes than A. Tunisia A. Iceland represent the UK again? B. Egypt B. Serbia C. Morocco A. Cliff Richard C. Luxembourg B. Michael Ball 12. What was memorable about the 1969 C. Sonia Celine Dion won the 1988 Contest, but 5. contest? for which country? A. There were four winners 19. Which year did Australia first take A. France B. The contest wasn’t broadcast live part in the Contest? B. Switzerland C. It was the first contest to be broadcast in C. Monaco A. 2015 colour B. 2016 C. 2017 6. Blue represented the UK in 2011 with 13. Which of these song titles is not a Eu- which song? rovision winner? 20. The theme for this year’s Contest is: A. I Will A. Pif Paf Pof B. I Do B. Diggi-Loo Diggi-Ley A. Dare To Dream C. I Can C. La La La B. Feel The Rhythm C. Join Us 7. Who wrote the UK’s 2009 entry, It’s My 14. How many countries took part in the Time, sung by Jade? first Contest in 1956? A. Pete Waterman A. Five Check answers at the B. Andrew Lloyd Webber B. Six bottom of page 18 C. Jim Steinman C. Seven How did you score?

17-20 10-16 5-9 0-4 As Cliff Richard Gina G Bucks Fizz Lynsey De Paul’s ‘Making Your would say, ‘Ooh Aah... ‘Rock Bottom’ - ‘Congratulations!’ Mind Up’ as to Just A Little Bit’ whether you like you’re better off you’re a Superfan down the pub more effort... Eurovision? The List Cover May Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:59 Page 1 The List Cover May Warwicks/Worcs.qxp_Layout 1 17/04/2019 12:59 Page 2

YourYour wweek-eek- bby-weeky-week llistingsistings gguideuide MayMay 22019019 thelist

As A Tiger In The Jungle at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry - Wednesday 29 May

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

What’s On Wed 1 to Sun 12 May Mon 13 to Sun 19 May Mon 20 to Sun 26 May Mon 27 to Fri 31 May

The Provoked Wife at the Swan Midlands Air Festival at Edgelarks at Great Malvern Food Festival Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon Arbury Hall, Warwickshire Artrix, Bromsgrove at Great Malvern Priory Thurs 2 May - Sat 7 Sept Fri 17 - Sun 19 May Fri 24 May Mon 27 May

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List Warwickshire 1-5 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:01 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT MAY

Rugby Art Gallery & Museum Visual Arts EDUCATING RUGBY Explore the history of schools and colleges in Rugby Artrix, Bromsgrove with objects from the museum’s so- cial history collection, until Sat 22 HILL & DOLPHIN: VIEWS ON COLOUR June Collaborative exhibition by Broms- grove artists Lorna Hill and Dave Dol- NEW WHEN THE GOLDEN SUN IS SINKING phin, until Sun 2 June Indre Serpytyte is concerned with the impact of conflict and war on history Birmingham Museum & and perception. She works with pho- Art Gallery tography, sculpture and installation, Mon 6 May - Sat 22 June WITHIN AND WITHOUT: BODY IMAGE AND THE SELF Exhibition examining how social, historical and cultural factors affect body image, and how this is ex- pressed through objects and art- works, until Sun 5 May Catfish and the Bottlemen - Ricoh Arena, Coventry LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING To mark the 500th anniversary of the THE UNDERTONES / Birmingham death of Leonardo da Vinci, 12 of the Gigs NEVILLE STAPLE BAND 1215 Sat 4 May, Re- Renaissance master's drawings from Fri 3 May, The Empire, sorts World Arena, the Royal Collection are displayed as EDWINA HAYNES PLUS Coventry Birmingham part of 12 simultaneous exhibitions SONNY Wed 1 May, The GORDON GILTRAP Fri 3 LOTTO BOYZZ: LOTTO across the UK, until Mon 6 May Red Lion Folk Club, May, The Fleece Inn, LINGO TOUR Sat 4 May, Birmingham TOO CUTE!: SWEET IS ABOUT TO GET Bretforeton, Nr Eve- O2 Academy, B’ham SINISTER A range of artworks that I AM MORBID, ATROCITY, sham COCAINE PISS + SUE + show different takes on cuteness, VITAL REMAINS, SADIST PAUL BRIDGWATER & BAD GIRLFRIEND + from contemporary-based issues to Wed 1 May, The Em- The Herbert Art Gallery & Mu- THE ELECTRIC BLUES RE- DEAFS DOOR Sat 4 May, 19th century oil paintings, until Sun pire, Coventry BELLION Fri 3 May, The 12 May seum The Sunflower WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO Marr's Bar, Worcester COVENTRY ART SOCIETIES EXHIBITION Lounge, Birmingham COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: WHO IS WITH IT? A TRIBUTE TO Exhibition featuring a wide range of FLING + MARC + SHAI SWEDE DREAMZ Sat 4 BIRMINGHAM? Discover new collec- TINA TURNER Wed 1 subject matter, from wild animals, BRIDES Fri 3 May, The May, The River Rooms, tions that reflect the experiences of May, Belgrade The- landscapes and flowers to cars, Sunflower Lounge, Stourbridge diverse Birmingham people - from atre, Coventry Birmingham working lives to community activists steam trains and portraits, until Sun ECLIPSE - THE PINK CONNIE CONSTANCE and protest movements, until Sun 27 19 May GEORGE PANNELL Fri 3 FLOYD EXPERIENCE Sat Wed 1 May, Hare & Oct WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR May, Tin Music & Arts, 4 May, Artrix, Broms- Hounds, Birmingham Exhibition from the Natural History Coventry grove CLOUDBUSTING - THE Compton Verney Gallery, Museum featuring breathtaking ani- MARK HARRISON WITH JAMIE LAWSON Sat 4 MAGIC OF KATE BUSH Warwick mal portraits, dramatic landscapes, CHARLES BENFIELD Fri 3 May, Birmingham bizarre species and endangered Thurs 2 May, Hunting- May, Number 8 Com- PAINTING CHILDHOOD: FROM HOLBEIN Town Hall habitats, until Sun 2 June don Hall, Worcester munity Arts Centre, TO FREUD A celebration of children, CATFISH AND THE BOT- STEALING SHEEP Thurs Worcestershire childhood and innocence, bringing TLEMEN Sat 4 May, 2 May, Hare & together some of the most iconic Worcester City Museum & Art CATAPULT CLUB FEAT. Ricoh Arena, Coventry Gallery Hounds, Birmingham THE NEW REPUBLIC Fri 3 paintings, sketches and sculptures of IZZIE DERRY Sat 4 May, FIFTY OBJECTS; FIFTY STORIES EXHIBI- ALABAMA 3 ACOUSTIC May, O2 Academy, children from the past 500 years, until The Tin Music And TION Curator Garston Phillips shares Thurs 2 May, The Mill Birmingham Sun 16 June Arts, Canal Basin, Digbeth, Birmingham CHILDHOOD NOW Exhibition bringing the tales, anecdotes and memories GEORGE PANNELL Fri 3 Coventry that have helped shape the museum FALL-OUT Thurs 2 May, May, The Tin Music together the works of three contem- OPEN ARMS Sat 4 May, for five decades, until Sat 9 Nov The Tin Music And And Arts, Coventry porary figurative painters - Chantal O2 Institute, B’ham Joffe, Mark Fairnington and Matthew FASHIONING PEACE: LIFE AND LIBERTY Arts, Coventry EL DIABLO Fri 3 May, CHASE & STATUS Sat 4 Krishanu, until Sun 16 June AFTER THE GREAT WAR EXHIBITION Ex- NAFE SMALLZ Thurs 2 Resorts World, B’ham May, The Assembly, hibition exploring how the changes May, O2 Institute, ART IN THE PARK - GREEN DWELLING In- MANDALORIAN AND Leamington Spa stallation by Dutch artist Krijn de Kon- brought about through the Great War Birmingham FRIENDS Fri 3 May, The were reflected in clothing and fashion EXPLOSIVE LIGHT OR- ing consisting of a collection of JOSEPHINE FOSTER Flapper, Birmingham from 1918 through to the Roaring CHESTRA Sat 4 May, differently sized green blocks ranged Thurs 2 May, The Glee 20s, until Sat 1 Feb 2020 SARAH MCQUAID Fri 3 The Roses Theatre, across the Old Town Meadow, until Club, Birmingham May, The Roses The- Sun 15 Dec Tewkesbury THE VAMPS Fri 3 May, atre, Tewkesbury Other VISUAL ARTS DAVID RODIGAN & Arena Birmingham ESA Fri 3 - Sat 4 May, Forge Mill Needle Museum, OPEN EXHIBITION An opportunity to MIGHTY CROWN Sun 5 Hare & Hounds, Birm- Redditch view and purchase a wide selection LANCO Fri 3 May, O2 May, O2 Academy, Institute, Birmingham ingham Birmingham NEW MAKING A POINT WITH LACE Exhi- of works of art, until Mon 27 May, THE CRAIG CHARLES bition from the Lace Guild Museum Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Mu- A CELEBRATION OF JOHN WET WET WET Sun 5 FUNK & SOUL CLUB Fri 3 looking at the important role needle seum DENVER Fri 3 May, Ar- May, Birmingham - Sat 4 May, The As- lace played in the development of THE PLAY'S THE THING Display of cos- trix, Bromsgrove Town Hall sembly, Leamington lace and fashion, Sat 4 May - Sun 16 tumes and props from the archives, EVA CASSIDY THE STORY Spa JAX JONES / TURNO Sun June until Tues 31 Dec, Swan Theatre, Fri 3 May, Palace The- 5 May, Kasbah, Coven- Stratford-upon-Avon atre, Redditch FREE RADIO HITS LIVE try 2019 Sat 4 May, Arena 52 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1-5 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:01 Page 2

Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 May

JIMMY CARR Thurs 2 May, Royal Spa Classical Music Centre, Leamington Spa CATHERINE BOHART, CHRISTOPHER ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: PETER MACARTHUR-BOYD & COMEDY DONOHOE PLAYS MOZART Also featur- CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON Thurs ing Jason Lai (conductor). Pro- 2 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham gramme includes works by Vaughan Williams & Mozart, Wed 1 May, The ANDREW MAXWELL Fri 3 May, The Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham Conservatoire KEN CHENG Fri 3 May, Artrix, Broms- BRODSKY QUARTET ELGAR CHAMBER grove MUSIC CENTENARY CONCERT Featuring CATHERINE BOHART, CHRISTOPHER Daniel Rowland (violin leader & MACARTHUR-BOYD, KEVIN MCCARTHY & soloist), Ian Belton (violin), Paul Cas- COMIC TBC Fri 3 - Sat 4 May, The Glee sidy (viola), Jacqueline Thomas Club, Birmingham (cello) & Martin Roscoe (piano), STEPHEN BAILEY, NICK PAGE, DARIUS Thurs 2 May, Malvern Theatres DAVIES & THOMAS GREEN Sat 4 May, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- The Comedy Loft, Birmingham CHESTRA: MIRGA CONDUCTS THE FIRE- BIRD Featuring Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor) & Patricia Kopatchin-ė skaja (violin). Programme includes works by Weinberg, Tchaikovsky & Stravinsky, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May, Sym- Theatre phony Hall, Birmingham HAIR THE MUSICAL Fiftieth anniversary The Provoked Wife TASMIN LITTLE (VIOLIN) & ANDREY production of the legendary rock mu- The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, GUGNIN (PIANO) IN CONCERT Pro- sical, starring Jake Quickenden, Thurs 2 May - Sat 7 September gramme includes works by Brahms, Daisy Wood-Davis & Marcus Collins, Delius, Prokofiev, Schubert, Strauss Mon 29 Apr - Sat 4 May, The Alexan- John Vanbrugh’s play caused quite a stir back in the day - ‘the day’ & Szymanowski, Fri 3 May, Royal dra Theatre, Birmingham in this particular case being the late 17th century. Three hundred- Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa KING CHARLES III Amateur staging of and-twenty or so years later, The Provoked Wife, although it enjoys LEONORE PIANO TRIO Featuring Ben- Mike Bartlett’s play about a monar- an occasional revival and is still regarded as a splendid example of chy in crisis, Mon 29 Apr - Sat 4 May, jamin Nabarro (violin), Gemma Rose- restoration theatre, has largely slipped off the radar as far as the- field (cello) & Tim Horton (piano). Talisman Theatre, Coventry atre companies are concerned. So it will be interesting indeed to Programme includes works by Aren- CLUB TROPICANA - THE MUSICAL Joe sky & Schubert, Sat 4 May, Royal McElderry, Neil McDermott, Kate see what the RSC makes of it all. Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa Robbins, Emily Tierne & Amelle Sir John Brute is a repugnant, tedious individual. Little wonder, FITZWILLIAM STRING QUARTET Featur- Berrabah star in this ‘ultimate holiday then, that his wife of two years has tired of her loveless marriage ing Lucy Russell & Marcus Barcham musical’ homage to the 1980s, Mon and decided to seek satisfaction with a younger man... Stevens (violins), Alan George (viola), 29 Apr - Sat 4 May, Wolverhampton Alexandra Gilbreath stars as Lady Brute, with familiar television Grand Theatre Sally Pendlebury (cello). Programme faces Caroline Quentin and Les Dennis featuring in a strong sup- includes works by Schubert, Roder- THE WEDDING SINGER Amateur staging ick Williams & Delius, Sat 4 May, presented by Solihull On Stage, Tues porting cast. Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington 30 Apr - Sat 4 May, The Core Theatre, Spa Solihull riences of families who have suffered The Old Rep, Birmingham RAPHAEL WALLFISCH (CELLO) & JOHN SPAMALOT Studley Operatic Society from police injustice..., Wed 1 - Sat 4 CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & I PAGLIACCI YORK (PIANO) Programme includes present an amateur staging of the May, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Opera Worcester present an amateur works by Schubert arr. Piatigorsky, Monty Python musical, Tues 30 Apr - NAPOLI, BROOKLYN Original Theatre staging of Italian Opera’s most fa- Prokofiev, Delius & Schubert, Sun 5 Sat 4 May, Palace Theatre, Redditch Company present Meghan mous double bill. Sung in English, May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leaming- LES MISÉRABLES Cameron Mackin- Kennedy’s coming-of-age drama, with orchestra, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May, ton Spa tosh's acclaimed Broadway produc- Wed 1 - Sat 4 May, Malvern Theatres Swan Theatre, Worcester ENSEMBLE 360 & RODERICK WILLIAMS tion of the epic musical, until Sat 11 RADIO ACTIVE Angus Deayton, Helen THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS The Nor- Also featuring Naomi Atherton (horn), May, Birmingham Hippodrome Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton bury Players present an amateur Benjamin Nabarro & Claudia Ajmone- THE TAMING OF THE SHREW Shake- Stevens and Philip Pope reunite to staging of Kenneth Grahame’s river- Marsan (violins), Ruth Gibson (viola), speare's energetic comedy of gender take classic scripts from the award- side tale, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May, Nor- Gemma Rosefield (cello), Lauréne and materialism is turned on its head winning BBC Radio Four show out on bury Theatre, Droitwich Durantel (double bass) & Tim Horton to offer a fresh perspective on its por- the road, Thurs 2 May, Bridge House A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS Euro- (piano). Programme comprises trayal of hierarchy and power, until Theatre, Warwick pean stage première of Khaled Hos- Howard Skempton’s The Rime of the Sat 31 Aug, Royal Shakespeare The- AN EVENING OF ERIC AND ERN Homage seini's spiritual sequel to The Kite Ancient Mariner, Sun 5 May, Royal atre, Stratford-upon-Avon to British comedy’s best-loved dou- Runner, Thurs 2 - Sat 18 May, The Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa AS YOU LIKE IT Riotous version of ble act, Thurs 2 May, Belgrade The- REP, Birmingham Shakespeare's romantic comedy, atre, Coventry THE PROVOKED WIFE Outspoken until Sat 31 Aug, Royal Shakespeare Restoration romp that shocked 17th Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon century society, Thurs 2 May - Sat 7 Comedy FORECASTING Flatpack Festival and Sept, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- Birmingham International Dance Fes- upon-Avon AFTERMIRTH Wed 1 May, The Roses tival present a one-woman (and her STARS OF LES MISERABLE LIVE IN CON- Theatre, Tewkesbury laptop) show where dance meets CERT Featuring the Barricade Boys, JUSTIN MOORHOUSE Thurs 2 May, Ar- theatre meets YouTube mashup, Wed Fri 3 May, Belgrade Theatre, Coven- trix, Bromsgrove 1 May, The REP, Birmingham try CUSTODY Tom Wainwright's contem- RUSSELL KANE Thurs 2 May, Warwick FAME Amateur staging presented by A MOMENT OF MADNESS Gritty theatre porary drama draws on real-life expe- Arts Centre, Coventry Youth On Stage, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May, fusing compelling drama with the ex-

whatsonlive.co.uk 53 The List Warwickshire 1-5 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:01 Page 3

Thursday 9 May 7.30pm Tuesday 21 May 7.30pm THE OPERA BOYS CHOICE GRENFELL Combining classical and pop - Celebrating Joyce Grenfell... a powerhouse of vocal harmony genteel comedian and monologist.

Saturday 25 May 7.30pm Tuesday 29 May 12.30pm /3pm WHITNEY – PIRATE PEARL & THE BIG QUEEN OF THE NIGHT BLUE MONSTER A celebration of her music and life A funny, happy, monster of a show

Friday 31 May 2.30pm/7.30pm Monday 3 June 7.30pm SWAN LAKE ROBERT MIZZELL & THE Presented by Ballet Theatre UK COUNTRY KINGS American Country music from Ireland!

54 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 1-5 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:01 Page 4

thelist Wednesday 1 - Sunday 5 May citement of real-time gameplay to a team of leading criminal barristers, create a visceral new live experience. ‘watch as a completely accurate mur- The event forms part of Flatpack Fes- Talks Festivals der trial unravels right before your tival, Fri 3 - Mon 6 May, The REP, CLAIRE DALE & PATRICIA PEYTON Join CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line-up eyes’, Sat 4 May, Village Hotel, Soli- Birmingham the authors of Physical Intelligence features Gregory Porter, James Morri- hull for an informative talk about raising son, Katie Melua and Level 42, Wed 1 THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP Camp clas- your performance at work and FLATPACK 2019: COLOUR BOX EXPLORER sic presented by Blue Orange Arts, - Mon 6 May, various venues around DAY Make yourself a pair of binocu- home... Wed 1 May, Warwick Arts Cheltenham Fri 3 - Sat 11 May, The Blue Orange Centre, Coventry lars, grab a map and explore what’s Theatre, Birmingham LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND on offer, including a keyboard that MARK BEAUMONT: AROUND THE WORLD Line-up features Roderick Williams, projects images, oversized optical KEVIN QUANTUM - VANISHING POINT IN 80 DAYS Film & photography com- Magic Circle member Kevin Quantum Tasmin Little, Jonathan Cunliffe and toys, an interactive audiovisual dome, bine to provide an insight into Mark’s Howard Skempton, Fri 3 - Fri 10 May, green-screen madness, and plenty of explores the concept of invisibility in career, Wed 1 May, Malvern Theatres a world of disappearing identity and Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa crafting, Sat 4 May, Midlands Arts vanishing privacy, Sat 4 May, Lich- WE ARE WHAT WE OVERCOME Matt UPTON-UPON-SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Centre, Birmingham field Garrick McGuinness fuses storytelling and Line-up features Melrose Quartet, BELLATOR MMA BIRMINGHAM Leading conversation to shed light on mental Alice Jones, Cosmotheka and The Pi- mixed martial arts promoter Bellator WHODUNNIT? Join KRYPT's Junior health, Sat 4 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Group as they delve into the murky geon Swing, Fri 3 - Mon 6 May, vari- MMA's next event in the European world of detection, Sat 4 - Sun 5 May, ous venues around Fight Series, Sat 4 May, Resorts The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Upton-Upon-Severn World Arena, Birmingham KING LEAR Shakespeare’s famous NO FUTURE FESTIVAL Line-up features SPRINGSPEED NATIONALS 2019 Racing tragedy, Sat 4 - Sat 11 May, Rugby Film Angelic Upstarts, Anti-Nowhere cars and bikes keep the track action- Theatre League, GBH and 999, Sat 4 May, packed all day long, Sat 4 - Sun 5 INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: The Mill, Birmingham May, Santa Pod Raceway, Welling- THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER (15) HANDMADE FESTIVAL Line-up features borough Drama/Mystery. Starring Maggie Gyl- Metronomy, The Futureheads, The MAY DAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKENDER lenhaal, Gael García Bernal. The Sherlocks and Ibibio Sound Machine, Featuring traditional May Day-themed Kids Shows Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 1 - Sun 5 May, O2 Academy, Leicester activities. Make your own Green Man Thurs 2 May SWINGAMAJIG Line-up feature Hack- mask or May crown and join the PETER PAN Easter panto starring RAY & LIZ (15) Drama. Starring ney Colliery Band, A.Skillz, Electric horse-drawn procession, Sat 4 - Mon Bobby Davro, CBBC’s Tracey Beaker Richard Ashton, Michelle Bonnard. Swing Circus, Cut Capers, Sun 5 6 May, Black Country Living Museum, star Dani Harmer and Disney Art At- Artrix, Bromsgrove, Wed 1 - Fri 3 May May, Birmingham Botanical Gardens Dudley tack’s Lloyd Warbey, Wed 1 - Thurs 2 WHAT THEY HAD (15) Drama. Starring MALVERN WELL DRESSING & WATER May, Albany Theatre, Coventry Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon. The FESTIVAL Celebrating Malvern spring Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 1 - water, ancient pagan traditions and Fri 3 May the Victorian water cure, Sat 4 - Mon 6 May, Malvern FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS (12A) Com- edy/Drama. Starring James Purefoy, LEGO SEA EXPLORERS Help the team Tuppence Middleton. Royal Spa Cen- unlock underwater secrets and get tre, Leamington Spa, Wed 1 - Sun 5 creative as you draw and colour your May; The Roses Theatre, Tewkes- new discoveries, Sat 4 May - Sun 2 bury, Thurs 2 May Jun, National Sea Life Centre, B’ham ON THE BASIS OF SEX (12a) Biogra- MEDIEVAL KENILWORTH CASTLE Look phy/Drama. Starring Felicity Jones, on as rival knights clash in battle, Armie Hammer. Number 8, Pershore, gasp as the castle is besieged and Fri 3 May find out how the rivalry was finally settled, Sun 5 - Mon 6 May, Kenil- AT ETERNITY'S GATE (12a) THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR SHOW Events worth Castle Critically acclaimed production based Biography/Drama. Starring Willem THE FALCONER'S QUEST Up to 70 high- on Eric Carle’s much-loved children’s Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen. The Roses flying birds of prey take to the skies PIRATE WEEKEND Featuring ‘thrilling pi- book, Thurs 2 - Sat 4 May, Midlands Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 3 - Thurs 9 in an all-action display of aerial acro- rate battles’ throughout the day, Sun Arts Centre, Birmingham May batics, until Thurs 31 Oct, Warwick 5 - Mon 6 May, Tutbury Castle, Bur- ton-on-Trent PROFESSOR PEPPERPOT - BALLOONTAS- THE WHITE CROW (12a) Castle TIC! Magic, mayhem and balloons for Biography/Drama. Starring Oleg THE ORIGINAL HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS younger audiences, Sat 4 May, Ivenko, Ralph Fiennes. The Roses The world famous basketball stars Palace Theatre, Redditch Theatre, Tewkesbury, Fri 3 - Wed 8 visit Birmingham as part of a world May tour, Thurs 2 May, Arena Birmingham BEL CANTO (15) Drama/Music. Starring THE MURDER OF ALICE JOINER Follow For Foodies Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe. the clues and question the suspects CHAMPAGNE ON THE TRAIN Severn Val- Dance Number 8, Pershore, Sat 4 May to discover the truth about the death ley Railway in partnership with Nick- of Alice Joiner, Fri 3 May, Birmingham olls & Perks welcome you aboard the B-SIDE HIP-HOP FESTIVAL DUMBO (U) Family/Fantasy. Starring Featuring ex- Back to Backs Champagne Train, Sat 4 - Sun 5 May, plosive dance battles on an outdoor Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton. Artrix, Severn Valley Railway, Bewdley, Nr stage, high-energy workshops, live Bromsgrove, Sat 4 May DONINGTON HISTORIC FESTIVAL Featur- Kidderminster ing more than 400 classic racing cars music and DJ sets from legendary EASTNOR CHILLIFEST Featuring live names on the international hip-hop spanning nine decades, Fri 3 - Sun 5 NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: May, Donington Park Racing Circuit, music, bars, hot food, a children’s scene, Fri 3 - Sun 12 May, various lo- cookery school, a chilli-eating com- cations including Birmingham Hippo- Released from Fri 3 May, showing at Derby selected cinemas petition and drome, The Arcadian, The Bullring ZOO CLUB Activities themed around cookery A DOG'S JOURNEY (tbc) and Digbeth animals, wildlife, nature and zoos for demonstra- PHOENIX DANCE THEATRE Double bill of LONG SHOT (15) children aged between eight and 14, tions, Sun 5 - Sat 4 May, Drayton Manor Theme choreographed works: The Rite Of TOLKIEN (12a) Mon 6 May, Spring & Left Unseen, Sat 4 May, Park, Tamworth Eastnor Castle, EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL Malvern Theatres THE MURDER TRIAL LIVE Working with Ledbury AND VILE (tbc) whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:18 Page 1

May 2019 NEW SEASON ON SALE

Saturday 4th May Thursday 9th May Friday 10th May WE ARE WHAT WE RADIO ACTIVE COURT AND SPARK OVERCOME THE JONI MITCHELL WRITTEN AND PERFORMED BY CLASSIC SCRIPTS FROM THE SONGBOOK MATT MCGUINNESS BBC RADIO 4 SHOW FT: JADE THUNDER

Friday 17th May Wednesday 22nd May Wednesday 29th May JESS ROBINSON: THEA GILMORE SOURPUSS

NO FILTER STRATFORD COMEDY CLUB A ROYAL JESTER PIRATE PEARL AND THE WATCH SOURPUSS ON HIS Last Thursday of every month (The original panto dame!) BIG BLUE MONSTER MULTI-AWARD-WINNING JESS PLUS SUPPORT MATT OWENS 30 May £12/£8 25 & 26 May £12/£10 25 May £8/£28 Family IS BACK WITH A NEW SHOW! JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY

COMING SOON: Ken Chang, Justin Moorhouse, A Celebration of John Denver, Jason Donovan, Jive Talkin’ Eclipse – The Pink Floyd Experience, Albert Lee & Band, Small Fakers, The Manfreds: Hits, Jazz & Blues Tour Aiden O’Rourke & Kit Downes, Otway & Barrett: Nearly Free, Edgelarks, Morriston Orpheus Choir, Small Fakers Albert Lee & Band, The Songs of Leonard Cohen, Brooks Williams, Lipstick On Your Collar, The Bob Dylan Story Hats Off to Led Zeppelin, Giselle: Vienna Festival Ballet, The Summer of Love, Joe Longthorne, Moishe’s Bagel Steve Knightly: Roadworks, Cold Meat: All & Sundry Productions, King of Pop: The Legend Continues... Gaz Keenan presents MOTHER’S RUIN; 3 Guitars Concert LENNON RETROSPECTIVE A Cabaret About Gin & Workshop Free parking on-site Join our Mailing List and receive our weekly e-flyer withup-to-date 1 June £15 6 June £14.50 23 June £12 information about upcoming showsor download our latest brochure @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN Box Office: 01527 577330

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:18 Page 2

thelist Monday 6 - Sunday 12 May Leintwardine, Herefordshire Classical TAKÁCS STRING QUARTET: LATE WORKS Featuring Edward Dusinberre & Music Harumi Rhodes (violins), Geraldine Walther (viola) & András Fejér JONATHAN CUNLIFFE ORGAN RECITAL (cello). Programme includes works Programme includes works by Bach, by Haydn, Bartók & Beethoven, Fri Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schubert, 10 May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leam- Duruflé, Howard Skempton & ington Spa Mushel, Mon 6 May, All Saints Church, Leamington Spa AUDREY GUGNIN PIANO RECITAL Pro- gramme includes works by Tchaikovsky, Scriabin & Mussorgsky, Mon 6 May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa MARTINU STRING QUARTET Featuring Lubomír Havlák & Libor Kañka (vio- lins), Zbyn k Padourek (viola) & Jitka Vlašánkováē (cello) with Gemma ALCESTER MALE VOICE CHOIR Featur- Kuunatic - The Tin Music & Arts, Coventry Rosefield (cello). Programme in- ing Epsie Thompson (flute), Lizzie SUSTO Fri 10 May, O2 THE 60'S Sat 11 May, cludes works by Mozart, Glazunov & Parkes (guitar), Sara de Visser (so- Gigs Institute, Birmingham Bedworth Civic Hall Schubert, Mon 6 May, Royal Spa prano) & Christopher Allsop (organ), SAM FENDER Fri 10 FOYER FOLK: FLAT- Centre, Leamington Spa Sat 11 May, Worcester Cathedral NOV3L Mon 6 May, The May, O2 Institute, WORLD Sat 11 May, ARONWITZ ENSEMBLE Featuring Mag- Tin Music And Arts, Birmingham Number 8 Community nus Johnston & Marije Johnston (vi- Coventry LOWER THAN ATLANTIS Arts Centre, Pershore olins),Tom Hankey & Lily Francis DERMOT KENNEDY Tues Fri 10 May, O2 DEREK WARFIELD & THE (violas), Guy Johnston & Marie 7 May, O2 Institute, Academy, Birmingham WOLFE TONES Sat 11 Macleod (cellos) & Tom Poster Comedy Birmingham THE DANIEL WAKEFORD May, The Empire, (piano). Programme includes works SUZI RUFFELL Tues 7 - Wed 8 May, ANGEL HAZE Tues 7 EXPERIENCE Fri 10 May, Coventry by Strauss, Shostakovich & The Glee Club, Birmingham May, The Mill Digbeth, Tchaikovsky, Tues 7 May, Royal Spa O2 Institute, B’ham SAMANTHA FISH Sat 11 JIM TAVARÉ Thurs 9 May, Royal Spa Birmingham Centre, Leamington Spa COURT AND SPARK - THE May, O2 Academy, Centre, Leamington Spa A CELEBRATION OF THE Birmingham TAYLOR MACLENNAN (FLUTE), ADÉLA JONI MITCHELL SONG- IAN COPPINGER, ANDY ASKINS, COMEDY SONGS AND MUSIC OF ŠEVCIKOVÁ (VIOLIN), ANNA BARSEG- BOOK Fri 10 May, Artrix, STRAIGHT FOR THE SUN CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON GEORGE MICHAEL Tues JANA (VIOLA) & IDLIR SHYTI (CELLO) Bromsgrove Sat 11 May, O2 Insti- Thurs 9 May, The Glee Club, B’ham 7 May, Symphony Programme includes works by Schu- BARRY STEELE AND tute, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham bert, Klein, Feld & Mozart, Tues 7 SOFIE HAGEN Fri 10 May, Warwick FRIENDS Fri 10 May, BLANCMANGE Sat 11 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Arts Centre, Coventry JASON DONOVAN Wed 8 Swan Theatre, May, Hare & Hounds, Spa May, Artrix, Broms- Worcester Birmingham grove CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY OR- BURDEN OF THE NOOSE, JIVE TALKIN' Sat 11 CHESTRA: YUJA WANG PLAYS CHRIS YOUNG Wed 8 THE SMITHS LTD Fri 10 May, Artrix, Broms- PROKOFIEV Also featuring Mirga May, O2 Academy, May, The River grove Gražinyt -Tyla (conductor). Pro- Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge A LOOK AT LIFE WITH grammeė includes works by Ligeti, JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS KEITH SLATER'S SONG- MALCOLM STENT Sat 11 Prokofiev & Brahms, Thurs 9 May, RHYTHM ‘N’ BLUES OR- BOOK Fri 10 May, May, Palace Theatre, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CHESTRA Wed 8 May, Palace Theatre, Red- Redditch TAKÁCS STRING QUARTET: RUSSIAN The Jam House, Birm- ditch THE ROCK OF AGES EX- THEMES & INTRIGUES Featuring Ed- THE NOISE NEXT DOOR Fri 10 May, The ingham LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Fri 10 PERIENCE Sat 11 May, ward Dusinberre & Harumi Rhodes Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury THE BONFIRE RADICALS May, The Assembly, Palace Theatre, Red- (violins), Geraldine Walther (viola) & IAN COPPINGER, ANDY ASKINS, ELLIOT Wed 8 May, The Red Leamington Spa ditch András Fejér (cello). Programme in- STEEL & SOPHIE WILLAN Fri 10 - Sat Lion Folk Club, B’ham ANDY PIERCE Fri 10 TRINITY LIVE Sat 11 cludes works by Haydn, 11 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham ELIZA AND MARTIN May, Bedworth Civic May, The Assembly, Shostakovich & Beethoven, Thurs 9 PAUL MERTON'S IMPRO CHUMS Sat 11 CARTHY Thurs 9 May, Hall Leamington Spa May, Royal Pump Rooms, Leaming- May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Midlands Arts Centre, ton Spa JASPER IN THE COM- DARK SIDE OF THE WALL CROFT & PEARCE Sat 11 May, Mid- Birmingham PANY OF OTHERS Fri 10 Sat 11 May, Swan The- THE OPERA BOYS Thurs 9 May, The lands Art Centre, Birmingham THE PRIDE OF IRELAND Core, Solihull May, The Marr's Bar, atre, Worcester ADAM RICHES Sat 11 May, Warwick SHOW Thurs 9 May, Worcester LEVELLERS (ACOUSTIC) Arts Centre, Coventry Bedworth Civic Hall HELEN MCCOOKERY- Sat 11 May, Malvern A LOOK AT LIFE WITH MALCOLM STENT MARINA Thurs 9 May, Theatres BOOK / SUNBATHERS Fri Sat 11 May, Palace Theatre, Red- O2 Academy, B’ham 10 May, The Tin Music KUUNATIC Sat 11 May, ditch MINI MANSIONS Thurs 9 And Arts, Canal Basin, The Tin Music And KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN, GAVIN WEB- May, Hare & Hounds, Coventry Arts, Canal Basin, STER, ARCHIE MADDOCKS & PETE Birmingham Coventry THE SIMON AND GAR- OTWAY, Sat 11 May, The Comedy THE STORY OF GUITAR FUNKEL STORY Fri 10 MICHAEL BALL Sun 12 - Loft, Birmingham HEROES Thurs 9 May, May, Palace Theatre, Tues 14 May, Sym- AL MURRAY Sun 12 May, Bedworth The Robin, Bilston Redditch phony Hall, B’ham RODERICK WILLIAMS SINGS BEETHOVEN Civic Hall GRACE PETRIE Fri 10 OLLY MURS Fri 10 - Sat & SCHUBERT Thurs 9 May, Routh Hall, TAKE THAT Sun 12 - TOM ALLEN, DOUGLAS CARTER & May, Midlands Arts 11 May, Resorts World Tues 14 May, Arena Bromsgrove School JAMES COOK Sun 12 May, Belgrade Centre, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham Birmingham CLAIRE JONES HARP RECITAL Thurs 9 Theatre, Coventry BRINGING ON BACK - May, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:18 Page 3

thelist from over 300 entries, Thurs 9 - Sat MOTHER GOOSE & MORE... Presented 11 May, Dovehouse Theatre, Solihull by Academy Theatre Arts with musi- THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS The Nor- cal accompaniment from English bury Players present an amateur Symphony Orchestra, Thurs 9 May, staging of Kenneth Grahame’s river- Swan Theatre, Worcester side tale, Thurs 9 - Sat 11 May, Nor- bury Theatre, Droitwich PSYCHIC SALLY - 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR Fri 10 May, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa Dance WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER The almost en- CHARGE Motionhouse’s acclaimed tirely imagined Bon Jovi musical multimedia show, inspired by the role from Coventry artist Paul O’Donnell, of electricity in the human body, Wed Fri 10 May, Warwick Arts Centre, 8 - Thurs 9 May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Coventry MUCKERS Created by award-winning A THOUSAND FACES Bold dance-the- theatre maker Caroline Horton and atre production featuring Abhinaya, an international ensemble, Muckers an intricate and detailed element of The Isle Of Brimsker - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry & Malvern Theatres is described as a mischievous show the north Indian classical dance form, exploring what it takes to stand proud Kathak, Thurs 9 May, Warwick Arts warning for the future, Wed 8 - Thurs and be true to ourselves..., Fri 10 - Centre, Coventry 9 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birm- Sat 11 May, The REP, Birmingham KNOT Acclaimed circus and dance Theatre ingham SUMMER STREET - THE AUSSIE SOAP work by Nikki Rummer and JD THE HOUSE ON COLD HILL Peter James' HEART OF DARKNESS Imitating The MUSICAL Take a trip down memory Broussé that asks the question: How modern-day ghostly thriller, Mon 6 - Dog present a 'bold retelling' of lane to the 1990s and the heyday of can we be honest with ourselves Sat 11 May, The Alexandra Theatre, Joseph Conrad's tale of ‘lies, brutal the Aussie soap opera, Fri 10 - Sun without hurting those we love? Thurs Birmingham greed and the dark heart which beats 12 May, Old Joint Stock Theatre, 9 May, Patrick Studio, B’ham Hippo- THE ISLE OF BRIMSKER New multi-sen- within us all’, Wed 8 - Sat 11 May, Birmingham drome sory story from Frozen Light, special- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry DUMTEEDUM LIVE The Archers Fan ists in making theatre for audiences STARLIGHT EXPRESS Coventry Youth Podcast featuring Emerald O’Hanra- with profound and multiple learning Operetta Group (YOG) present an han (Emma Grundy), Sat 11 May, disabilities, Tues 7 - Wed 8 May, War- amateur staging of the Andrew Lloyd Birmingham Town Hall wick Arts Centre, Coventry Webber musical, Wed 8 - Sat 11 May, SING-A-LONG THE GREATEST SHOWMAN CLUB TROPICANA Joe McElderry, Neil Albany Theatre, Coventry Talks Sat 11 May, The Core Theatre, Soli- McDermott, Kate Robbins, Emily RADIO ACTIVE Angus Deayton, Helen hull MONOLOGUESLAM 2019 Showcase of Tierne & Amelle Berrabah star in this Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton local talent, from actors to musicians, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Amateur ‘ultimate holiday musical’ homage to Stevens and Philip Pope reunite to Fri 10 May, The REP, Birmingham staging which sees Shakespeare’s the 1980s, Tues 7 - Sat 11 May, Bel- take classic scripts from the award- comedy transported to Britain in ALAN JOHNSON: IN MY LIFE One of the grade Theatre, Coventry winning BBC Radio Four show out on 1945, Sat 11 - Sat 18 May, Criterion most popular politicians of recent THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY the road, Thurs 9 May, Artrix, Broms- Theatre, Coventry times, Alan tells Jonathan Wrather (Emmerdale/Coro- grove his personal CATS West Bromwich Operatic Soci- nation Street) stars as Lord Henry THE ISLE OF BRIMSKER New multi-sen- story - with the ety present an amateur staging of the Wotton in a new production of Oscar sory story from Frozen Light, special- help of some of hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Wilde’s fast-paced thriller, Tues 7 - ists in making theatre for audiences the music that Tues 14 - Sat 18 May, Wolverhampton Sat 11 May, Malvern Theatres with profound and multiple learning has sound- Grand Theatre SHYLOCK Gareth Armstrong’s award- disabilities, Thurs 9 May, Malvern tracked his life... winning solo play, offering a fascinat- Theatres Sat 11 May, Huntingdon The- ing insight into Shakespeare’s THE PRIDE OF IRELAND SHOW Celebra- atre, Worcester infamous character, Wed 8 May, Mid- tion of Irish music, song, dance & lands Arts Centre, Birmingham comedy, Thurs 9 May, Bedworth Civic AN EVENING WITH HARRY REDKNAPP I’m WHERE THE HELL IS BERNARD? Award- Hall Cabaret A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! win- ner Harry Redknapp shares stories winning company Haste Theatre fuse LIGHT DELAY Following a request for MUSIC HALL TAVERN The UK’s premier from his football days and his time in visuals, movement, live song and new plays, which went viral, Free comedy drag show, starring Lee the jungle, Sun 12 May, Warwick Arts clowning to create a darkly comic Spirit Theatre selected Light Delay Sanderson & Paul Carroll, Wed 8 May, Swan Theatre, Worcester Centre, Coventry JULIAN CLARY - BORN TO MINCE Outra- AN AFTERNOON WITH LEN GOODMAN geously camp new show in which the Hear Len’s story - from barrow boy to prince of innuendo bares his soul in British Ballroom Champion, Sun 12 the interests of light entertainment, May, Coombe Abbey, Binley, Coven- Sun 12 May, Warwick Arts Centre, try Coventry Film Kids Shows INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: AN AMERICAN IN PARIS (U) Drama/Mu- MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL Matt Terry sical. Starring Gene Kelly, Leslie takes the lead in a musical adventure Caron. Artrix, Coventry, Tues 7 May based on the smash-hit movie, Tues 7 - Sat 11 May, Wolverhampton BEL CANTO (15) Drama/Music. Starring Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe. Motionhouse: Charge - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Grand Theatre

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 6 - 12 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:18 Page 4

Monday 6 - Sunday 12 May

Number 8, Pershore, Tues 7 May THE ART OF DEATH TOUR As part of the FISHERMAN'S FRIENDS (12A) Com- national Dying Matters week, this edy/Drama. Starring James Purefoy, free tour takes in everything from Tuppence Middleton. The Roses Roman cremation chests to paint- Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 8 May ings of poisonings, Sat 11 May, Birmingham Museum And Art HAPPY AS LAZZARO (15) Drama. Star- Gallery ring Alba Rohrwacher, David Ben- nent. Foreign language, subtitled. TALES OF ACQUISITION TOUR As part Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, of the national Dying Matters week, Wed 8 - Sat 11 May take the opportunity to explore ob- jects and artworks left to Birming- ON THE BASIS OF SEX (12a) Biogra- ham Museum & Art Gallery by phy/Drama. Starring Felicity Jones, supporters in their wills, or pur- Armie Hammer. Number 8, Per- chased using a legacy, Sat 11 May, shore, Thurs 9 May Birmingham Museum And Art US (15) Horror/Thriller. Starring Gallery Behnaz Jafari, Jafar Panahi. Foreign DR DASHING AND NURSE NICE WILL language, subtitled. Number 8, Per- SEE YOU NOW Doctor Dashing and shore, Thurs 9 May Nurse Nice assess your cuteness 3 FACES (15) Drama. Starring Lupita and help you understand your diag- Nyong'o, Winston Duke. Number 8, nosis, Sat 11 May, Birmingham Mu- Pershore, Fri 10 May seum And Art Gallery THE KEEPER (15) Biography/Drama. ZOO CLUB Activities themed around Starring David Kross, Freya Mavor. animals, wildlife, nature and zoos for Number 8, Pershore, Fri 10 - Sat 11 children aged between eight and 14, May Sat 11 May, Drayton Manor Theme THE WHITE CROW (12a) Park, Tamworth Biography/Drama. Starring Oleg THE ANTIQUES RAILSHOW Join spe- Ivenko, Ralph Fiennes. Artrix, cialist valuers and TV experts from Bromsgrove, Fri 10 - Mon 13 May Stourbridge-based auctioneers MISSING LINK (PG) Animation/Adven- Fieldings, Sat 11 May, Severn Valley ture. With the voices of Hugh Jack- Railway, Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster man, Zach Galifianakis. Artrix, MAKERS CENTRAL Show bringing to- Bromsgrove, Sat 11 May gether thousands of makers from LUST FOR LIFE (PG) around the world, from crafters & in- Biography/Drama. Starring Kirk ventors to hobbyists and artists, Sat Douglas, Anthony Quinn. The Roses 11 - Sun 12 May, NEC, Birmingham Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 11 May GAYDON LAND ROVER SHOW Display of hundreds of Land Rovers and similar vehicles, from 1948 to the present day, Sat 11 - Sun 12 May, British Motor Museum, Gaydon Events NATIONAL VINTAGE COMMUNICATIONS FAIR Antique-type collectors fair spe- MAY DAY FOLK DAY Featuring morris cialising in early technology and fea- dancers, maypole dancing, trails, turing thousands of rare and crafts and traditional games, Mon 6 collectable items, Sun 12 May, War- May, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham wickshire Event Centre, Leamington UNICORN PONY RIDES Featuring uni- Spa corn-themed pony rides through the THERE AND BACK AGAIN: JRR TOLKIEN enchanted woodland and unicorn AND SAREHOLE GUIDED WALK A treats at the Unicorn Bar, Mon 6 guided introduction to Tolkien, the May, Arley Arboretum, Bewdley, Nr area of Sarehole and its influence on Kidderminster The Hobbit and The Lord Of The BODYPOWER EXPERIENCE Whether Rings, Sun 12 May, Sarehole Mill, you’re new to health & fitness, a reg- B’ham ular gym-goer or even an elite ath- lete, ‘this show will provide everything you need to help you achieve your next goal’, Fri 10 - Sun 12 May, NEC, Birmingham For Foodies NSRA NOSTALGIA NATIONALS Week- end of nostalgia-style drag racing, THE GREAT BRITISH FOOD FESTIVAL A Fri 10 - Sun 12 May, Santa Pod foodie day out for the whole family Raceway, Wellingborough in the company of the finest local artisan producers, Sat 11 - Sun 12 RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK May, Chillington Hall, Near Wolver- Find out about the top-secret air- hampton base, which was home to airborne radar testing and development dur- LUDLOW SPRING FESTIVAL Featuring ing the Second World War and the baking, sausage-making and ale- early years of the Cold War, Sat 11 brewing, Sat 11 - Sun 12 May, Lud- May, Croome Park, Worcester low Castle, South Shropshire

whatsonlive.co.uk 59 The List Warwickshire 13 - 19 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:02 Page 1

thelist TAKE THAT Thurs 16 - TWISTED WHEEL Fri 17 GLORIOUS! The Nonentities present Gigs Sun 19 May, Arena May, The Empire, Classical the true story of Florence Foster Birmingham Coventry Jenkins, the worst singer in the SOAK Tues 14 May, BLACK CELEBRATION - THANK YOU FOR THE world, Mon 13 - Sat 18 May, The Hare & Hounds, Birm- DEPECHE MODE Fri 17 MUSIC Sat 18 May, Music Rose Theatre, Kidderminster ingham May, The River Palace Theatre, Red- JOSEP-RAMON OLIVÉ - SCHUBERT, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Hot from a WHEATUS Tues 14 May, Rooms, Stourbridge ditch MAHLER & STRAUSS Featuring Josep- sell-out world tour and now having The Mill Digbeth, Birm- GORDON GILTRAP Fri 17 DUKE SPECIAL Sat 18 Ramon Olivé (baritone) & Ian Tindle been experienced by more than 30 ingham May, The Roses The- May, Warwick Arts (piano). Programme includes works million theatre-goers across the by Schubert, Korngold, Raquel Gar- globe, Richard O’Brien’s timeless THE UNTHANKS Tues 14 atre, Tewkesbury Centre, Coventry cía-Tomás, Mahler & Strauss, Tues musical masterpiece returns, Mon 13 May, The Assembly, CREAM LIMOUSINE Fri LA VILLE STRANGIATO - 14 May, Birmingham Town Hall - Sat 25 May, The Alexandra Theatre, Leamington Spa 17 May, Resorts World A TRIBUTE TO RUSH Sat SHEKU KANNEH-MASON CELLO CON- Birmingham STONEFIELD Tues 14 Arena, Birmingham 18 May, The Assem- CERT Also featuring Isata Kanneh- 42ND STREET Community production May, Hare & bly, Leamington Spa SCREAM BLUE MURDER Mason (piano). Programme includes of the acclaimed Hollywood musical, Hounds, Birmingham Fri 17 May, Kasbah, NIRVANA UK (TRIBUTE) works by Beethoven, Lutoslawski, Tues 14 - Fri 17 May, Albany Theatre, SONS OF THE EAST Wed Coventry Sat 18 May, O2 Debussy, Fauré & Mendelssohn, Coventry 15 May, O2 Academy, Academy, Birmingham ALUNAH Fri 17 May, O2 Thurs 16 May, Birmingham Town JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Solihull Birmingham Academy, Birmingham STONE FOUNDATION Sat Hall Theatre Company presented an am- KRS-ONE Wed 15 May, GLENN HUGHES PER- 18 May, O2 Institute, NOX QUARTET Featuring Boglárka Gy- ateur staging of Andrew Lloyd Web- Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham FORMS CLASSIC DEEP orgy & Tomohiko Kimura (violins), ber & Tim Rice’s iconic rock opera, THE TIGER LILLIES; PURPLE Fri 17 May, O2 SMALL FAKERS Sat 18 Nichols Fidler (viola) & Flora McNi- Tues 14 - Sat 18 May, The Core The- DEVIL'S FAIRGROUND Institute, Birmingham May, Artrix, Broms- coll (cello). Programme includes atre, Solihull Wed 15 May, Warwick KNOXVILLE HIGHWAY Fri grove works by Haydn & Schubert, Fri 17 SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE SIGN OF FOUR Arts Centre, Coventry 17 May, Palace The- UB40 EXPERIENCE Sat May, The Round Room, Birmingham Adventure, romance & comedy com- Museum & Art Gallery MARC ALMOND Wed 15 atre, Redditch 18 May, The Marr's bine in a new staging of Arthur May, Symphony Hall, OH MY GOD! IT’S THE Bar, Worcester Conan Doyle’s epic tale, Tues 14 - Birmingham CHURCH Fri 17 May, KAMASI WASHINGTON Sat 18 May, Malvern Theatres THE TIGER LILLIES Wed The Castle & Falcon, Sat 18 May, O2 Insti- ’ALLO ’ALLO ‘ALLO - A KILLING & A 15 May, Warwick Arts Birmingham tute, Birmingham CURRY! Murder On The Side present Centre, Coventry JON RONSON Fri 17 THE NAT KING COLE Comedy another evening of mystery, intrigue, suspense and murder, this time set WALKING ON CARS May, O2 Academy, SONGBOOK Sat 18 May, MICHAEL MCINTYRE Tues 14 May, in wartime France, Wed 15 May, Thurs 16 May, O2 In- Birmingham Hutingdon Hall, Birmingham Hippodrome Worcester Palace Theatre, Redditch stitute, Birmingham NEVER 42 Fri 17 May, LARRY DEAN Tues 14 May, The Glee MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL Musical THE MANFREDS Thurs The Marr's Bar, DUKE SPECIAL Sat 18 Club, Birmingham parody featuring a host of one-liners 16 May, Artrix, Broms- Worcester May, Warwick Arts RUSSELL KANE Wed 15 May, Birming- about hot flushes, memory loss and grove SWERVEDRIVER Centre Fri 17 ham Hippodrome pop classics. Cheryl Fergison, Mau- May, O2 Institute, THE ONE LOVE BAND Sat KING PLEASURE & THE MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER & COMEDY reen Nolan, Rebecca Wheatley & Hi- Birmingham 18 May, The River BISCUIT BOYS Thurs 16 CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON lary O’Neil star, Wed 15 May, Rooms, Stourbridge May, O2 Academy, BROOKS WILLIAM Fri 17 Thurs 16 May, The Glee Club, B’ham Malvern Theatres Birmingham May, Artrix, Broms- JOOLS HOLLAND AND JIM TAVARÉ Fri 17 May, Midlands Art FRED JEFFS: THE SWEETSHOP MURDER grove HIS RHYTHM & BLUES SAY SUE ME Thurs 16 Centre, Birmingham On Good Friday 1957, Quinton ORCHESTRA Sun 19 May, The Tin Music CATAPULT CLUB FT. sweetshop owner Fred Jeffs was May, Warwick Arts JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS Fri 17 May, The And Arts, Coventry XILLA Fri 17 May, O2 murdered. Over 60 years later, the Centre, Coventry Glee Club, Birmingham ALEX AIONO Thurs 16 Institute, Birmingham killing remains unsolved. Here, his MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER, MARK NEL- May, O2 Academy, LP: HEART TO MOUTH great nephew, Graeme Rose, exam- EMBERS OF EDEN Fri 17 SON & LENNY SHERMAN Fri 17 May, Birmingham May, The Asylum, TOUR Sun 19 May, O2 ines the case, Wed 15 - Sat 18 May, Institute, Birmingham The Glee Club, Birmingham The REP, Birmingham AIDAN O’ROURKE & KIT Birmingham RHOD GILBERT Fri 17 - Sat 18 May, DOWNES Thurs 16 May, THE ORB Sun 19 May, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM The PASADENA ROOF OR- Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Artrix, Bromgsrove CHESTRA Fri 17 May, The Marr's Bar, National Production Company pre- Number 8, Pershore Worcester MATT PRICE, MARK MAIER, MARK NEL- sents its version of Shakespeare's SON & COMIC TBC Sat 18 May, The popular comedy, Wed 15 - Sat 18 Glee Club, Birmingham May, The Old Rep Theatre, B’ham TOM BINNS, HAYLEY ELLIS & SIMON SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDZ - MACBETH Pre- WOZNIAK Sat 18 May, The Comedy sented by Warwickshire Junior Loft, Birmingham School Year 6, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 May, Bridge House Theatre, Warwick THOSE WERE THE DAYS Fast-moving variety rollercoaster featuring come- dian Lee Carroll, vocalist Lynn Sweet Theatre & tribute star Paul Birch, Fri 17 May, Swan Theatre, Worcester THE DRESSER Priory Theatre presents an amateur staging of Ronald Har- AN EVENING OF ERIC AND ERN Homage wood’s hit play, Mon 13 - Sat 18 to British comedy’s best-loved dou- May, Priory Theatre, Kenilworth ble act, Fri 17 May, Palace Theatre, Redditch THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Adapted from Paula Hawkins' bestselling novel and THE 39 STEPS Our Star Theatre Com- starring Samantha Womack, Mon 13 pany present an amateur staging of - Sat 18 May, Belgrade Theatre, John Buchan’s classic adventure, Fri Coventry 17 - Sat 18 May, Norbury Theatre, The Tiger Lillies - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Droitwich

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 13 - 19 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 10:02 Page 2

Monday 13 - Sunday 19 May

ON GOLDEN POND Bear Pit Theatre Company presents its version of Film Ernest Thompson’s story about a INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: spirited and loveable elderly couple facing their twilight years, Fri 17 - Sat DUMBO (U) Family/Fantasy. Starring 25 May, The Bear Pit Theatre, Strat- Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton. The ford-upon-Avon Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 13 INTOTHECLOUDS Playful, sensory and May highly visual experience for very THE SISTERS BROTHERS (15) Adven- young children and babies... Sun 19 ture/Comedy. Starring Joaquin May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry Phoenix, John C. Reilly. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 13 - Fri 17 May; Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, Tues 14 - Thurs 16 May LADIES IN BLACK (PG) Comedy/Drama. Dance Starring Julia Ormond, Angourie Rice. Number 8, Pershore, Mon 13 & RITE OF SPRING Showcase of Indian Thurs 16 May classical dance, Tues 14 May, Patrick OUT OF BLUE (15) Crime/Drama. Star- Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome ring Patricia Clarkson, Toby Jones. STRICTLY COME DANCING THE PROFES- The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues SIONALS 2019 Featuring Dianne 14 - Thurs 16 May Buswell, Pasha Kovalev, Giovanni WILD ROSE (15) Drama/Music. Starring Pernice, Katya Jones and AJ Julie Walters, Jessie Buckley. Artrix, Pritchard, Thurs 16 - Fri 17 May, Sym- Bromsgrove, Fri 17 - Sun 19 May; phony Hall, Birmingham Midlands Air Festival - Arbury Hall, Warwickshire Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, BBC YOUNG DANCER 2019 GRAND FINAL Fri 17 - Mon 20 May; Number 8, Per- Sept, Santa Pod Raceway, Welling- UK SLOT CAR FESTIVAL 2019 ‘Europe’s Five outstanding young dancers bat- shore, Sat 18 May borough biggest and best slot car event’, Sat tle it out in front of a panel of interna- 18 - Sun 19 May, British Motor Mu- tionally renowned judges. The THE DOORSLAMMERS Doorslammers seum, Gaydon evening also includes a feature per- NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: returns in a bigger and better format, formance from 2017 winner Nafisah Released from Fri 17 May, showing at along with a huge prize fund, Fri 17 - INDUSTRIAL MIGHT Discover the awe- Baba, Sat 18 May, Birmingham Hip- selected cinemas Sun 19 May, Santa Pod Raceway, inspiring industrial might of the Black podrome Wellingborough Country, with live demonstrations and PAW PATROL: MIGHTY PUPS (tbc) fun for visitors of all ages, Sat 18 - COPPELIA Vienna Festival Ballet pre- ZOO CLUB Activities themed around ALADDIN (tbc) Sun 19 May, Black Country Living sent the classic story of the eccentric animals, wildlife, nature and zoos for Museum, Dudley toymaker and his beautiful mechani- ROCKETMAN (tbc) children aged between eight and 14, cal doll, Sat 18 May, The Roses, THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2 (tbc) Sat 18 May, Drayton Manor Theme PANORAMA TOWER OPEN DAY Providing Tewkesbury Park, Tamworth fantastic panoramic views of Worces- RED BY NIGHT Experience the indus- ter, Sun 19 May, Croome Park, trial might of the Black Country as Worcester skilled craftsmen and live demonstra- 'MORRIS GANG' DANCING The Blists Hill Events tions bring the reality of ‘black by Morris Gang perform traditional Talks day, red by night’ to life, Sat 18 May, dances, Sun 19 May, Blists Hill Victo- WWE LIVE WWE superstars live in ac- Black Country Living Museum, Dud- rian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire AN EVENING WITH HARRY REDKNAPP I’m tion, all under one roof, Wed 15 May, ley MIXED TRACTION DAY A selection of the A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! win- Resorts World Arena, Birmingham COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM BREAK- visiting diesel locomotives will be op- ner Harry Redknapp shares stories SPRING DIESEL FESTIVAL Featuring her- FAST CLUB Opportunity for vehicle erating alongside the steam trains, from his football days and his time in itage and mainline diesels, Thurs 16 - owners to share stories and exper- Sun 19 May, Severn Valley Railway, the jungle, Mon 13 May, Birmingham Sat 18 May, Severn Valley Railway, tise, and for visitors to check out a Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster Town Hall Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster range of vehicles and chat with the AN EVENING WITH MICHAEL MORPURGO THIS MORNING LIVE Shopping festival people who own them, Sat 18 May, Join one of the UK’s best-loved au- with hundreds of well-known brands, Coventry Transport Museum thors as he shares his gift for magical small boutiques and unique retailers, EDWARDIAN TEAROOMS LATE: MUSE- storytelling and Thurs 16 - Sun 19 May, NEC, B’ham UMS AT NIGHT FESTIVAL WITH HIDDEN reveals the secrets For Foodies SPACES An evening of dinner and live that nearly 50 WATT 2019: ILLUMINATING JAMES WATT music, plus the chance to enjoy the ALCESTER FOOD FESTIVAL A very local years of writing Find out more about the great Geor- Secrets Of The Museum tour, Sat 18 event featuring in excess of 100 stalls has taught him, gian inventor, industrialist and steam May, Birmingham Museum And Art selling artisan products and award- Wed 15 May, War- pioneer, Fri 17 May, Soho House, Gallery winning street food, Sat 18 May, Al- wick Arts Centre, Birmingham cester, Worcestershire Coventry THE BABY SHOW The UK’s largest ASTON ALIVE: GEORGIAN HOUSE PARTY Join in the fun of a Georgian house MEDIEVAL BANQUET Experience an im- MARY PORTAS IN CONVERSATION: THE event for parents-to-be, new parents, party, witness sword-fighting duels mersive evening of medieval enter- WORK LIKE A WOMAN TOUR Join the re- grandparents and babies, Fri 17 - and meet some glorious and gaudy tainment and hearty food & drink, Sat tail guru as she talks about her life, Sun 19 May, NEC, Birmingham Georgians, Sat 18 May, Aston Hall, 18 May, Warwick Castle career and new book, Work Like A MIDLANDS AIR FESTIVAL Featuring Birmingham RUM & REGGAE FESTIVAL Sat 18 May, Woman, Fri 17 May, Warwick Arts 100-plus hot air balloons, more than The Mill Digbeth, Birmingham Centre, Coventry 30 aircraft, multiple exhibitors, rides ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE GRAVEYARD TALK An illustrated talk about the archaeol- BIRMINGHAM VIVA! MAGICAL VEGAN IAN MCKELLEN ON STAGE WITH TOLKIEN, and plenty more, Fri 17 - Sun 19 May, ogy of Park Street burial ground, FESTIVAL Featuring vegan delicacies, SHAKESPEARE, OTHERS AND YOU New Arbury Hall, Warwickshire which is being excavated as part of ethical clothing, cruelty-free cosmet- solo show in which Sir Ian talks about BIG BANG CAMPER & BUS SHOW - VW the preparatory work for the HS2 rail ics and much more, Sat 18 May, New his life as a performer, Sun 19 May, FESTIVAL Featuring racing, music and line, Sat 18 May, Birmingham Mu- Bingley Hall, Birmingham Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry entertainment, Fri 17 May - Thurs 19 seum And Art Gallery whatsonlive.co.uk 61 The List Warwickshire 20 - 26 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:47 Page 1

thelist Classical Theatre ROTTERDAM Jon Brittain's bittersweet Music comedy about gender, sexuality and RUSSIAN PHILHARMONIC OF NOVOSI- being a long way from home, Mon BIRSK: PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION 20 - Wed 22 May, The REP, B’ham Featuring Thomas Sanderling (con- CHOICE GRENFELL Celebration of the ductor) & Alexander Sitkovetsky (vio- life of comedian Joyce Grenfell, Tues lin). Programme includes works by 21 May, The Core Theatre, Solihull Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, Rimsky-Kor- ANIMAL FARM Grand Arena Youth sakov & Mussorgsky arr. Ravel, Wed Theatre present an amateur staging 22 May, Symphony Hall, B’ham George Orwell’s classic tale, Tues 21 ARMONICO CONSORT & BAROQUE PLAY- May, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre ERS: LOVE HANDELS Featuring BELLS AND SPELLS Aurélia Thierree Christopher Monks (director) & Oz gets inside the skin of a kleptoma- Edgelarks - Artrix, Bromsgrove Clarke (reader). Programme in- niac, Tues 21 - Wed 22 May, Warwick cludes works by Handel, Vivaldi, Arts Centre, Coventry Purcell & Monteverdi, Thurs 23 May, O2 Academy, B’ham THE WATERBOYS Sat 25 SUITABLE FOR SHOP WORK Presented Malvern Theatres Gigs KSI & RANDOLPH Thurs May, Symphony Hall, by Worcester Repertory Theatre, 23 May, O2 Institute, Birmingham NICOLA BENEDETTI WITH THE SCOTTISH Tues 21 - Sat 25 May, Swan Theatre, MICHAEL BUBLÉ Mon 20 Birmingham RITA ORA Sat 25 May, CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Also featuring Worcester - Tues 21 May, Resorts Benjamin Marquise Gilmore MANIC STREET PREACH- Arena Birmingham ROTTERDAM Jon Brittain's bittersweet World Arena, B’ham (violin/director). Programme in- ERS Thurs 23 May, O2 THE BONNEVILLES Sat comedy about gender, sexuality and cludes works by Mozart & Anna HELLOGOODBYE Tues 21 Academy, Birmingham 25 May, The Assem- being a long way from home, Thurs May, O2 Academy, Clyne, Fri 24 May, Birmingham Town THE SIMON & GAR- bly, Leamington Spa 23 - Sat 25 May, Malvern Theatres Birmingham Hall FUNKEL STORY Thurs THE EVERLY BROTHERS THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES Fol- MORRISTON ORPHEUS CHOIR Sat 25 THE JEEPS Tues 21 23 May, Swan Theatre, & FRIENDS Sat 25 May, low Sherlock Holmes and his incom- May, Artrix, Bromsgrove May, O2 Academy, Worcester Swan Theatre, parable sidekick, Dr Jane Watson, Birmingham CORY BAND & ONLY MEN ALOUD; BRASS MICAH ERENBERG & Worcester on their journey through the streets & VOICES FROM THE MOVIES Sun 26 THEA GILMORE Wed 22 ANDY BEGLIN Thurs 23 JO WHILEY’S 90S AN- of London to the Devonshire Moors May, Birmingham Town Hall May, Artrix, Broms- May, Tin Music & Arts, THEMS Sat 25 May, as they attempt to solve the mystery grove Coventry The Assembly, Leam- of the monstrous hound, Fri 24 May, Lichfield Garrick ANDY HAGUE QUINTET BEAT FACTORY Fri 24 ington Spa Wed 22 May, Stratford May, Resorts World THE BIG BIRMINGHAM A NICE DILEMMA & TRIAL BY JURY Am- Playhouse Arena, Birmingham SOUL NIGHT Sat 25 ateur double bill presented by Comedy Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan Society, WHISKEY MYERS Wed AMY - A TRIBUTE TO May, Birmingham Fri 24 - Sat 25 May, Norbury Theatre, 22 May, O2 Institute, AMY WINEHOUSE Fri 24 Town Hall BILL BAILEY Thurs 23 May, Arena Droitwich Birmingham May, The Roses The- DOG OF TWO HEAD Sat Birmingham BIN AND GONE One-man show telling CHILDREN OF ZEUS Wed atre, Tewkesbury 25 May, The Marr's SCOTT CAPURRO & COMEDY CAROUSEL the story of 3-2-1 host Ted Rogers, 22 May, O2 Institute, ALICE IN CHAINS Fri 24 Bar, Worcester WITH ANDY ROBINSON PLUS COMIC TBC Fri 24 - Sun 26 May, Old Joint Stock Birmingham May, Arena B’ham WHITNEY Sat 25 May, Thurs 23 May, The Glee Club, B’ham Theatre, Birmingham CHRIS DIFFORD Wed 22 OTWAY & BARRETT: The Core, Solihull SARAH KENDALL & MICHAEL LEGGE VENICE PRESERVED Fast-paced ver- May, The Glee Club, NEARLY FREE Fri 24 DARKSIDE PINK FFLOYD Thurs 23 May, Midlands Art Centre, sion of Thomas Otway's restoration Birmingham May, Artrix, Broms- Sat 25 May, The Al- Birmingham tragedy, Fri 24 May - Sat 7 Sept, The grove bany Theatre, Coven- CILLA & THE SHADES OF MALCOLM STENT & THE TIMONEERS Fri Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon THE 60S Wed 22 May, EDGELARKS Fri 24 May, try 24 May, The Core Theatre, Solihull END THE SILENCE Agape Theatre Palace Theatre, Red- Artrix, Bromsgrove THE SMYTHS Sat 25 BARBARA NICE & LADS Fri 24 May, The Company examines the intoxicating ditch May, O2 Academy, LONDON CALLING PLAY REP, Birmingham effect of power, Sat 25 - Sun 26 May, Birmingham FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS THE CLASH Fri 24 May, MARLON DAVIS, KANE BROWN, JUNIOR The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Wed 22 May, The Core The Assembly, Leam- SOUL JUNCTION Sat 25 BOOKER & SHABBA Fri 24 May, Bel- THE GREATEST SHOW FOR FAMILIES Theatre, Solihull ington Spa May, Resorts World grade Theatre, Coventry Join a talented cast of 10 as they Arena, Birmingham LYNETTE WALTERS AND ROBIN NOLAN TRIO Fri SCOTT CAPURRO, JOJO SMITH, CRAIG take audiences through some of the BAND Wed 22 May, O2 24 May, Huntingdon THE ELVIS WORLD TOUR HILL & ALISTAIR WILLIAMS Fri 24 - Sat best songs from movies and shows, Academy, Birmingham Hall, Worcester STARRING SHAWN 25 May, The Glee Club, Birmingham including The Greatest Showman, KLUSH & DEAN Z Sun THE MAGIC OF MOTOWN STING & SHAGGY Fri 24 SUKH OJLA & BRYONY TWYDLE Sat 25 Disney classics, Wicked, Moulin 26 May, The Alexandra Thurs 23 May, War- May, O2 Academy, May, The REP, Birmingham Rouge and Hairspray, Sun 26 May, wick Arts Centre, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Warwick Hall ANDREW BIRD, DOMINIC WOODWARD, Coventry FAIRPORT CONVENTION BLVFF Fri 24 May, The SIMON LOMAS & BARRY DODDS Sat 25 Sun 26 May, Warwick HOWARD JONES Thurs Empire, Coventry May, Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton 23 May, Symphony Arts Centre MAKE THEM SUFFER Fri SOL BERNSTEIN, JOEY PAGE, MIKE Hall, Birmingham JULIANA HATFIELD 24 May, The Asylum, NEWALL & HAYLEY ELLIS Sat 25 May, THREE Sun 26 May, O2 Kids Shows CATRIN FINCH & SECKOU Birmingham The Comedy Loft, Birmingham KEITA Thurs 23 May, Institute, Birmingham BLACK WATER FRIEND THE WORST WITCH Major new show Warwick Arts Centre, BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 25 Fri 24 May, Kasbah, KITTY MACFARLANE Sun bringing Jill Murphy's much-loved Coventry May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Coventry 26 May, Warwick Arts characters to the stage, Wed 22 - ANDY CUTTING Thurs Centre, Coventry THE COMEDY ROAST - SANDRA MARTIN Sun 26 May, Birmingham Hippo- STREISAND: THE MUSIC, ALSO FEATURING KANE BROWN WITH 23 May, Huntingdon ESTELLE Sun 26 May, drome THE LADY, THE LEGEND DIZZLE, ESTHERMANITO, AURIE STYLA & Hall, Worcester O2 Institute, B’ham Fri 24 May, Swan The- MR CEE Sun 26 May, The Glee Club, SHREK THE MUSICAL Coventry Musi- POKE Thurs 23 May, atre, Worcester Birmingham cal Theatre Society present an ama- 62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 20 - 26 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:47 Page 2

Monday 20 - Sunday 26 May

teur staging based on the Oscar-win- RED JOAN (15) Biography/Drama. Star- British cars with your toddler, Mon 20 25 - Thurs 30 May, Middleton Hall, Nr ning Dreamworks Animation film, ring Judie Dench, Sophie Cookson. May, British Motor Museum, Gaydon Tamworth Thurs 23 - Sun 26 May, Belgrade Artrix, Bromsgrove, Thurs 23 - Wed RAF DEFFORD AIRFIELD GUIDED WALK WOOLLY WEEK Watch traditional shear- Theatre, Coventry 29 May Find out about the top-secret airbase, ing demonstrations, learn how sheep ZOG Julia Donaldson & Axel Schef- WONDER PARK (U) Animation/Adven- which was home to airborne radar fleece is spun into wool and make a fler's much-loved character comes to ture. With the voices of Sofia Mali, testing and development during the Tudor braid to take home, Sat 25 May life in a new staging accompanied by Jennifer Garner. Artrix, Bromsgrove, Second World War and the early - Sun 2 June, Mary Arden's Farm, a 'sumptuous' folk score, Fri 24 - Sun Sat 25 May years of the Cold War, Tues 21 May, Stratford-upon-Avon 26 May, Warwick Arts Centre, Coven- AT ETERNITY'S GATE (12a) Croome Park, Worcester FREDDO'S TREASURE TROVE Cadbury’s try Biography/Drama. Starring Willem MAY TILE DECORATING Create your Freddo dons his captain’s hat to Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen. Number 8, own superbug-themed designs at teach little ones what it takes to be- Pershore, Sat 25 May family drop-in tile-decorating work- come a pirate on the seven seas, Sat shops on weekdays over the half- 25 May - Sun 2 June, Cadbury World, term break, Fri 24 May, Jackfield Tile Birmingham Dance Museum, Ironbridge, Shropshire LEGO CITY Explore what a city of the ROSIE KAY: 10 SOLDIERS Portrait of CASTLE CAPERS EVENING Family- future would look like, Sat 25 May - army life told through dance-theatre, Festivals themed evening where visitors can Sun 1 Sept, Legoland Discovery Cen- learn about the history of the castle, tre, Birmingham Tues 21 May, Birmingham Hippo- BEARDED THEORY Line-up features The drome take part in ghost & history walks, Fri COMICS: EXPLORE AND CREATE COMIC Cult, Suede, Doves and Stiff Little 24 May, Dudley Zoological Gardens PETER AND THE WOLF Birmingham Fingers, Thurs 23 - Sun 26 May, Cat- ART Featuring an eclectic mix of origi- Royal Ballet presents a brand new ton Hall, Derbyshire BENNETTS BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPI- nal, iconic comic art alongside work staging of Prokofiev’s classic tale. ONSHIP Featuring familiar faces, big- by current children’s comic creators, BREAKING BANDS Line-up feature name superstars and young guns Sat 25 May - Sun 1 Sept, Coalbrook- Poet Hollie McNish narrates, Tues 21 Falling Red, Witch Tripper, Trucker Di- - Wed 22 May, Malvern Theatres battling it out for the title, Fri 24 - Sun dale Museum of Iron, Ironbridge, ablo and Hell’s Addiction, Thurs 23 - 26 May, Donington Park Racing Cir- Shropshire ERIC’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY We know Mon 27 May, Stoke Prior Country cuit, Derby he doesn’t look a day over 19, but Club, Bromsgrove THE MOTOR SHOW Featuring 600 vin- FIA/FIM MAIN EVENT 2019 Televised ex- tage & classic cars, American, kit & the rumours are true…Eric is turning GLASTONBUDGET Line-up features 20! To celebrate, he’s throwing one travaganza featuring 200-plus teams custom, motorcycles and commercial Abba Revival, Antarctic Monkeys, and 17 classes of cars and bikes, Fri vehicles plus club stands, trade & au- huge party and everyone’s invited!, Fleetwood Bac and Four Fighters, Fri Tues 21 - Sat 25 May, New Vic The- 24 - Mon 27 May, Santa Pod Race- tojumble stands, Sun 26 May, Ragley 24 - Sun 26 May, Wymeswold, Le- way, Wellingborough Hall, Alcester atre, Newcastle-under-Lyme icestershire BALLET BLACK The popular dance THE NATIONAL Featuring a wide selec- STAFFS FEST Line-up features Pig Man tion of food & drink, non-stop shows troupe return with a showcase of & The Rubber Band, Kioko, Juniper modern ballets, Thurs 23 - Fri 24 May, and activities, Fri 24 - Tues 28 May, Wolf and Cutch-I, Fri 24 - Sun 26 May, Ragley Hall, Alcester Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippo- Lower Drayton Farm, Staffs drome STORY STICKS CRAFT ACTIVITY AT For Foodies MELLO Line-up features Brand New BOMBAY EXPRESS Choreographed BLAKESLEY HALL Create your journey MAC GIN & JAZZ CLUB Start your week- Heavies, Craig Charles, Incognito stick whilst on the trail and tuck the rollercoaster trip across India, from and The Wonder Stuff, Fri 24 - Sun 26 end off the right way - with a gin royal Rajasthan to funky Mumbai, Fri physical reminders of the walk cocktail in hand, listening to ‘the best May, Severn End Country Estate, around Blakesley under the string, to 24 May, The Albany Theatre, Coven- Hanley Castle, Worcestershire live jazz around’, Fri 24 May, Mid- try create a story, Sat 25 May, Blakesley lands Arts Centre, Birmingham DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL Line-up features Hall, Birmingham PETER AND THE WOLF Birmingham THE COCKTAIL EXPRESS The Severn Crystal Fighters, Jordan Rakei, Swim DESIGN A DRAGON WORKSHOP Using Royal Ballet presents a brand new Deep and The Night Cafe, Fri 24 - Valley Railway in partnership with staging of Prokofiev’s classic tale. the materials provided, make your Nickolls & Perks welcomes visitors Sun 26 May, various locations around very own dragon to take home, Sat Poet Hollie McNish narrates, Fri 24 - Nottingham aboard the Cocktail Express, Sat 25 - Sat 25 May, Wolverhampton Grand 25 - Sun 26 May, Warwick Arts Cen- Sun 26 May, Severn Valley Railway, Theatre CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line-up fea- tre, Coventry Bewdley, Nr Kidderminster tures Blackbeard’s Tea Party, The INTERNATIONAL MARQUETRY EXHIBITION Askew Sisters, Crows, Belshazzar’s WARWICK FOOD FESTIVAL Now in its Featuring 200 examples of contem- fifth year and featuring more than 90 Feast, Fri 24 - Mon 27 May, Kelsall, porary marquetry including the work near Chester traders, Sun 26 May, Market Square, of top golfer, Tony Jacklin CBE, Sat Warwick Film HOWTHELIGHTGETSIN Line-up features Anna Calvi, Donovan, British Sea INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Power and Zero 7, Fri 24 - Mon 27 MRS BROWN (PG) Biography/Drama. May, Hay-On-Wye Starring Judi Dench, Billy Connolly. BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line-up features The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon Years & Years, Kate Nash, Marc Al- 20 May mond, The Human League, Sat 25 - WILD ROSE (15) Drama/Music. Starring Sun 26 May, Birmingham Gay Village Julie Walters, Jessie Buckley. Num- ROCK AND BOWL Line-up features The ber 8, Pershore, Mon 20 - Tues 21 Stones, Mercury, Re-Take That and May; The Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Guns 2 Roses, Sat 25 - Mon 27 May, bury, Mon 20 - Thurs 23 May Market Drayton, Shropshire LORO (18) Biography/Drama. Starring Toni Servillo, Elena Sofia Ricci. For- eign language, subtitled. The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 22 - Thurs 23 May EVERYBODY KNOWS (15) Crime/Drama. Events Starring Penélope Cruz, Javier Bar- MINI MOTORISTS Activities for under dem. Foreign language, subtitled. fives. Pop along and discover the Number 8, Pershore, Thurs 23 May world's largest collection of historic Woolly Week - Mary Arden’s Farm, Stratford-upon-Avon whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List Warwickshire 27 - 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:29 Page 1

thelist THAT’LL BE THE DAY Ever-popular pro- Classical duction fusing comedy and music from the ’50s to the ’70s, Wed 29 Music May, The Alexandra Theatre, B’ham CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN Based ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN Featuring on the bestselling novel by Louis de Kenneth Woods (conductor) & April Berniéres that inspired the hit film of Fredrick (soprano). Programme in- the same name, Wed 29 May - Sat cludes works by Mozart, David 15 June, The REP, Birmingham Matthews, Schubert & Mahler, Tues ALICE IN WONDERLAND Follow Alice 28 May, Stratford Play House, Strat- down the rabbit hole in a brand new ford-upon-Avon staging of Lewis Carroll’s family CBSO: BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO.2 Fea- favourite, Thurs 30 May, Albany The- turing Mirga Gražinyte-Tyla (conduc- atre, Coventry tor), Programme includes works by A PHOENIX NIGHT The Phoenix Play- Honegger, Ravel & Brahms, Fri 31 ers present an evening of theatre, May, Symphony Hall, Birmingham drama, comedy sketches, songs & laughter, Thurs 30 May - Sat 1 June, The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon- Avon JULIAN CLARY - BORN TO MINCE Outra- Yola - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham geously camp new show in which the prince of innuendo bares his THE WORLD TOUR 2019 SHALAMAR Fri 31 May, soul in the interests of light entertain- Gigs Thurs 30 May, O2 In- The Assembly, Leam- ment, Fri 31 May, The Alexandra stitute, Birmingham ington Spa Theatre, Birmingham HUGH JACKMAN: THE A TRIBUTE TO ARIANA THE SONGS OF LEONARD JANE EYRE Hotbuckle bring their in- MAN. THE MUSIC. THE GRANDE & JOJO SIWA COHEN Fri 31 May, Ar- ventiveness, humour and unique SHOW. Mon 27 - Tues Thurs 30 May, Swan WORCESTER EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL: trix, Bromsgrove magic to Charlotte Brontë’s com- 28 May, Resorts World Theatre, Worcester THE MUSICAL AND AMICABLE SOCIETY AND FINALLY PHIL pelling tale, Fri 31 May, Swan The- Arena, Birmingham Fri 31 May, Guildhall, Worcester FOLK IN THE FOYER: COLLINS Fri 31 May, atre, Worcester YOLA Tues 28 May, NICK HART Thurs 30 The Roses Theatre, RESEARCH CABARET Evening of enter- Hare & Hounds, Birm- May, Evesham Arts Tewkesbury tainment and talks from Warwick ingham Centre PINK THE TRIBUTE academics, combined with music, ALBERT LEE & BAND CHRISTINE COLLISTER & SHOW Fri 31 May, Al- dance and more, Fri 31 May, War- Tues 28 May, Artrix, DAVE KELLY Thurs 30 bany Theatre, Coven- Comedy wick Arts Centre, Coventry Bromsgrove May, Huntingdon Hall, JONNY AWSUM & COMIC TBC Sun 26 try LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR Step back Worcester May, The Glee Club, Birmingham STIFF LITTLE FINGERS ULTIMATE BOWIE Fri 31 in time to a golden era of music in a Tues 28 May, The As- GIO SPANO Thurs 30 May, The Assembly, ANGELA BARNES Wed 29 May, The performance direct from the West sembly, Leamington May, O2 Academy, Leamington Spa Glee Club, Birmingham End, Fri 31 May, Artrix, Bromsgrove Spa Birmingham TALON - THE ACOUSTIC CARL DONNELLY, THE RAYMOND AND THE WORST LITTLE WAREHOUSE IN KIP MOORE Wed 29 THE ALLERGIES FT. ANDY COLLECTION Fri 31 May, MR TIMPKINS REVUE & COMEDY LONDON A ‘mind-bogglingly funny May, Birmingham COOPER Thurs 30 May, Palace Theatre, Red- CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ROBINSON story of companionship, shared ac- Town Hall Hare & Hounds, Birm- ditch Thurs 30 May, The Glee Club, B’ham commodation, and how to grit your KYLA BROX BAND Wed ingham GOV’T MULE Fri 31 May, DARREN HARRIOTT & ROB KEMP Thurs teeth and bare it’, Fri 31 May - Sat 1 29 May, O2 Academy, PUNCH THE SKY + Birmingham Town Hall 30 May, Midlands Art Centre, B’ham June, The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham BLACKBEARD'S TEA VIVA NEIL DIAMOND Fri SOFIE HAGEN Fri 31 May, The Old Rep THE MEAT LOAF STORY PARTY Thurs 30 May, 31 May, Huntingdon Theatre, Birmingham BIG SCHOOL 2019: ROOM TO GROW In- Thurs 30 May, The Hare & Hounds, Birm- teractive theatre experience combin- Hall, Worcester CARL DONNELLY, DANNY MCLOUGHLIN, Alexandra Theatre, ingham ing live performance with A WEEKEND WITH CHES- THE RAYMOND AND MR TIMPKINS B’ham participatory activities suitable for ARIWO Thurs 30 May, NEY HAWKES PLUS SPE- REVUE & DAISY EARL Fri 31 May, The eight to 11-year-olds, Fri 31 May - MARK KNOPFLER Thurs Tin Music & Arts, CIAL GUEST PAT SHARP Glee Club, Birmingham Sat 1 June, The Belgrade Theatre, 30 May, Resorts World Coventry Fri 31 May - Mon 3 Coventry Arena, Birmingham HIPSWAY Fri 31 May, June, Cattows Farm, MAREN MORRIS: GIRL O2 Academy, B’ham Heather, Leicestershire Theatre MRS KAPOOR’S DAUGHTER’S WEDDING Kids Shows Bollywood comedy & dance produc- THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF PINOC- tion featuring YouTuber and BBC CHIO Immersion Theatre present a sensation Parle Patel, Mon 27 May, brand new larger-than-life musical The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham adaptation of the much-loved clas- ROCK OF AGES Smash-hit musical fea- sic, Mon 27 May, Abbey Theatre, turing 25-plus classic rock anthems. Nuneaton Zoe Birkett, Kevin Kennedy & Antony THE JUNGLE BOOK A classic tale with Costa star, Tues 28 May - Sat 1 June, brand new songs, creative staging Wolverhampton Grand Theatre and ‘bags full of fun’, Mon 27 May, CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL Tim The Old Rep, Birmingham Firth & Gary Barlow’s award-winning THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWAL- production, Tues 28 May - Sat 8 LOWED A FLY Featuring singalong Shalamar - Leamington Assembly, Leamington Spa June, Birmingham Hippodrome songs and colourful animal charac- 64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List Warwickshire 27 - 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:29 Page 2

Monday 27 - Friday 31 May

AUTIN DANCE THEATRE: DYSTOPIA Thought-provoking dance theatre Festivals duet looking at the human need for connection and belonging, Fri 31 LICHFIELD BLUES AND JAZZ FESTIVAL May, Midlands Arts Centre, B’ham Line-up features Alison Rayner Quin- tet, The Climax Blues Band, Nick De- SWAN LAKE Presented by Ballet The- whurst Band with special guest Derek atre UK, Fri 31 May, The Core The- Nash and The Sleaze Brothers, Thurs atre, Solihull 30 May - Sun 2 June, various loca- tions around Lichfield THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN Line-up features Big Country, Eagle Eye Cherry, Ian Prowse and Amster- Talks dam and 3 Daft Monkeys, Thurs 30 LUCY WORSLEY - QUEEN VICTORIA- May - Sun 2 June, Uttoxeter Race- DAUGHTER, WIFE, MOTHER, WIDOW Il- course, Staffordshire lustrated talk about the life, palaces, and rich, colourful age of the queen who ruled a quarter of the globe, Tues 28 May, The Core Theatre, Soli- hull Events AN AUDIENCE WITH MARK 'BILLY' EASTNOR STEAM & VINTAGE Featuring Sourpuss - Artrix, Bromsgrove BILLINGHAM Join TV's most experi- steam engines, a tea tent, giant gar- enced and decorated SAS leader and den games, model steam engine ters, Tues 28 May, The Civic, Stour- circus industry, Wed 29 May, Warwick sniper for an evening of inspirational rides, a vintage carousel, a chair port-on-Severn Arts Centre, Coventry stories, Wed 29 May, Palace Theatre, swing and more, Sun 26 - Mon 27 MORGAN & WEST UTTERLY SPIFFING THE SELFISH GIANT Sea Legs Puppet Redditch May, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury MAGIC SHOW FOR KIDS & GROWN-UPS! Theatre present an adaptation of AN EVENING WITH LIVERPOOL LEGENDS Brain-busting fun with the time-travel- Oscar Wilde’s story for younger audi- Jed Stone hosts an evening of banter ling magicians, Tues 28 May, ences, Thurs 30 May, The Hive, with John Aldridge, Ronnie Whelan & Macready Theatre, Rugby Worcester Steve McMahon, Fri 31 May, Royal DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE Interactive new THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Musical Spa Centre, Leamington Spa show for all the family, Tues 28 - Wed staging for younger audiences, 29 May, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry based on Judith Kerr’s popular book, SOURPUSS String & puppet shadows Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June, Malvern combine in a theatrical adventure for Theatres younger audiences, Wed 29 May, Ar- trix, Bromsgrove Film PIRATE PEARL & THE BIG BLUE MONSTER INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: A ‘fun, happy, monster of a show, es- pecially for little pirates & their grown- Dance AT ETERNITY'S GATE (12a) MAY DAY REVELS Celebrate May Day ups’, Wed 29 May, The Core Theatre, TRANSITIONS DANCE TRIPLE BILL Inno- Biography/Drama. Starring Willem the traditional way, dancing around Solihull vative dance works from specially Dafoe, Mads Mikkelsen. Artrix, the Maypole in the Hall’s beautiful Bromsgrove, Mon 27 - Thurs 30 May; gardens, Sun 26 - Mon 27 May, Harv- AS A TIGER IN THE JUNGLE Circus, spo- commissioned choreographers Ka- Number 8, Pershore, Tues 28 May ington Hall, Kidderminster ken word, movement & ceremony role Armitage, Marina Collard & Het- combine in a deeply personal story ain Patel, Wed 29 May, Albany HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: A MONSTER VA- KNIGHTS' TOURNAMENT Arrows will fly, about being trafficked into Nepal’s Theatre, Coventry CATION (U) Animation/Adventure. With swords will clash and the winner will the voices of Adam Sandler, Andy be decided in the Grand Melee finale, Samberg. Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, Sun 26 - Mon 27 May, Kenilworth Tues 28 May Castle RED JOAN (15) Biography/Drama. Star- 1940S WEEKEND Featuring hundreds ring Judie Dench, Sophie Cookson. of reenactors dressed in 1940s uni- The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues forms and civilian dress, Sun 26 - 28 - Thurs 30 May Mon 27 May, Tutbury Castle, Burton- MISSING LINK (PG) Animation/Adven- on-Trent ture. With the voices of Hugh Jack- A VERY VICTORIAN DAY OUT Take a trip man, Zach Galifianakis. The Roses back to Witley's Victorian heyday for Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed 29 - Thurs a grand family day, Sun 26 - Mon 27 30 May; Number 8, Pershore, Wed 29 May, Witley Court, Worcester & Fri 31 May UNICORN PONY RIDES Unicorn-themed EIGHTH GRADE (15) Comedy/Drama. pony rides through the enchanted Starring Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton. woodland in the grounds of the beau- The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Wed tiful Arboretum, plus unicorn treats at 29 - Thurs 30 May the Unicorn Bar, Mon 27 May, Arley Arboretum, Bewdley, Nr Kiddermin- ster NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: WATT 2019: SOHO STEAM FAIR Watch a Released from Mon 27 May, showing working traction engine in full steam at selected cinemas and take a ride on a miniature steam BOOKSMART (15) locomotive, Mon 27 May, Soho GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS (tbc) House, Birmingham MAY TILE DECORATING Create your As A Tiger In The Jungle - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry

whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List Warwickshire 27 - 31 May.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:29 Page 3

thelist Monday 27 - Friday 31 May own superbug-themed designs at to 12 small animals that children can family drop-in tile-decorating work- see and interact with in slots of 30 shops on weekdays over the half- minutes, Wed 29 May, Blakesley Hall, term break, Mon 27 - Fri 31 May, Birmingham Jackfield Tile Museum, Ironbridge, LITTLE SKIPPERS - BOSTIN BLACK COUN- Shropshrie TRY A morning of Black Country- ANIMAL MASKS CRAFT ACTIVITY AT themed activities, Wed 29 - Thurs 30 BLAKESLEY HALL Choose an animal May, Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust mask or create your own, then colour FAMILY FUN DAY Thurs 30 May, Mu- and decorate it with a heap of craft seum of the Jewellery Quarter, B’ham materials, Tues 28 May, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham ANIMAL FINGER PUPPETS CRAFT ACTIV- ITY Make your own finger-sized ani- mals, add some tails, horns or stripes, and make a theatre for a fin- ger-animal performance, Thurs 30 May, Blakesley Hall, Birmingham UK GAMES EXPO Open to anyone of any age wanting to play, learn to play, buy, experience or know more about table-top games, Fri 31 May - Sun 2 June, NEC, Birmingham ESL ONE BIRMINGHAM Three days of intense Dota 2 action, with partici- pants battling it out for a share of the $300,000 prize pool, Fri 31 May - Sun GET HANDS-ON WITH HISTORY Trans- 2 June, Arena Birmingham form yourself into a courtly lord or GREAT MALVERN FOOD FESTIVAL Popu- lady, with tips on everything from lar foodies event set against the curtsies to combat, Tues 28 May - beautiful backdrop of Great Malvern Sun 2 June, Kenilworth Castle Priory, Mon 27 May, Great Malvern ANIMAL MANIA Featuring around eight Priory Great Malvern Food Festival - Malvern Priory

66 whatsonlive.co.uk Westflife F/P April 2019.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 13:42 Page 1 Birmingham Pride 275mm X 210mm.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2019 09:15 Page 1

YEARS & YEARS THE HUMAN LEAGUE FAITHLESS DJ SET MARC ALMOND NAO MABEL SIGALA MYA KATE NASH AJA ROGUE SYMPHONY LADY LESHURR M.O ALICE CHATER THE BIG GAY TIME PARTY FT. 5IVE & GLITTERSH*T - SATURDAY DAYTIME - THE BLACK MADONNA PRESENTS HANNAH WANTS - WE STILL BELIEVE - MONKI HORSE MEAT DISCO OCTO OCTA MOXIE HOOKER CLUB ADONIS JAGUAR FLEUR SHORE LISA SHARRED - SATURDAY NIGHTTIME - JORDANNA JADE MARIE SAM DIVINE SOPHIA ESSEL LAUREN GOULDER

THE VIVIENNE GALS ALOUD MISS PENNY THE VIXENS BAGA CHIPZ VICKY JACKSON AS PINK THE VIVIENNE MISS MARTY SANDRA SANDRA LOLA LASAGNE DRAG WITH NO NAME DIVINA DE CAMPO MARSHA MELLOW KELLY WILDE AMY LA QUEEFA TWIGGY MISS THUNDERPUSSY TANYA HYDE MARTHA D’ARTHUR DAVE LYNN KARA VAN-PARK SHANIA PAIN KY KELLY POPPY COCK HEARTS & SOULS TOPSIE REDFERN SUM TING WONG GLITTER LIPS

KAIIT QUAY DASH PAIGEY CAKEY MOHO RICO NASTY ASHNIKKO NAKHANE CALL ME LOOP LEIKELI47 OJERIME LACEY LOU’S FEMME PALACE EMILY BURNS ABISHA ANDREA DI GIOVANNI LADY SANITY M-A.D UNPRONOUNCEABLE MIYAGIMIYAGI LUCY WHITTAKER UNPRONOUNCEABLE THE CLAUSE SOPHIELOU DRAG PUNK