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Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands Shropshire ’ Whatwww.whatsonlive.co.uk sOnISSUE 361 JANUARY 2016 TATTOO FREEZE AT TELFORD INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide

THE GREAT GATSBY F Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece comes to Theatre Severn... Campermart (FP).qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2015 18:25 Page 1 Contents January Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:24 Page 1

January 2016

Contents

The Rocky Horror Show - Frank N Furter back in Brum with a brand new version page 8

Isy Suttie Private Lives Anna Maxwell Martin the list

Dobbie at The Slade Rooms Tom Chamber stars in Noel BAFTA winner brings Lady Your 16-page page 24 Coward’s masterpiece in Stoke Macbeth to The REP week-by-week listings guide page 31 page 22 page 51

inside:

4. News 15. Music 24. Comedy 27. Theatre 45. Film 53. Visual Arts 57. Days Out 65. Food

@whatsonwolves @whatsonstaffs @whatsonshrops Birmingham What’s On Magazine Staffordshire What’s On Magazine Shropshire What’s On Magazine

Editorial Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 WhatsOn Editorial: Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Chris Eldon Lee, Heather Kincaid, Steve Adams, Helen Stallard, Clare Higgins, Tina Freeth. Managing Director: Paul Oliver Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell, Chris Atherton 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 - Jan - Region 2 .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:44 Page 1

First Word

Grammy Award nomination for Birmingham music group Birmingham Contemporary Music Group (BCMG) has been nominated for its first ever Grammy Award. The nomination was received for the ensemble’s recording of Gerald Barry’s zany operatic setting of The Importance Of Being Earnest. Commenting on the accolade, BCMG Artistic Director Stephen Newbould said: “What an end to 2015 we had! We’re over the moon at this Grammy nomination. Our con- gratulations extend, of course, to Gerald Barry for his extraordinary score, to Thomas Adés for his masterful con- ducting, and to NMC Recordings for having the foresight to record and release the work for us all to enjoy. For Birmingham Contemporary Music Group to be listed amongst prestigious artists gives genuine recognition to the quality of our work on an international stage.” The Grammy Awards take place on 15 February. Grammy Award nominated Birmingham Contemporary Music Group

Literacy initiative invites the Book Award Arnie set to entertain community to join in project launch diners at black-tie event in Shropshire Shrewsbury Children’s Bookfest has launched its Book Award project for a fourth time. The initiative enables all school pupils, whatever their reading ability, to read and vote for their favourite book from a shortlist of six recently published titles selected by panels of children across the county. The Book Award is bigger A new literacy-focused arts project has been launched in than ever this year, with Legendary movie star and one-time Governor the West Midlands. The Big Read aims to encourage litera- more than one thousand of California Arnold Schwarzenegger is head- cy development through creativity. The initiative invites children aged between ing to Birmingham this month, to host an schools and community groups to decorate BookBench nine and eleven in twen- exclusive black-tie dinner event. sculptures, which are benches shaped as open books. ty-eight Shropshire pri- An Experience With Arnold Schwarzenegger The project is being presented by Wild In Art with the mary schools taking part. takes place at the city’s International Schools of King Edward VI and in association with the The voting deadline is 18 Convention Centre on 21 January and fea- National Literacy Trust and Birmingham Children’s March. The winning book tures a live interview with the Hollywood Hospital Charity. The painted BookBenches will furnish and author will be actor. the region’s museums, libraries and cultural hubs, turning announced at a special Other attractions on the night include the city and surrounding regions into a virtual library. awards ceremony at Terminator-themed events, a lifesize The Big Read will be complemented by a programme of Theatre Severn, Schwarzenegger model display, a activities based around the displays. These will include Shrewsbury, on 22 April. Schwarzenegger and Terminator imperson- poetry slams, storytelling sessions, creative writing and ator, a twenty-two-piece orchestra and Rat comic book illustration workshops. If you’d like to register Pack singer, and a charity auction with your school or community group for The Big Read, or if signed, bespoke Schwarzenegger memorabil- your venue is interested in exhibiting BookBenches and ia. supporting The Big Read with literacy-focused activities, visit thebigread.org.uk or email [email protected].

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Entertainment news from around the region

Science festival Dance that line-up announced subverts the

Author, broadcaster and anatomist senses Professor Alice Roberts will discuss The history of homosexu- her latest BBC series, The Celts, at ality in twentieth century the fourth University of Birmingham Arts & Science Festival, which Spain is the subject of a takes place in March. brand new show from The festival brings together leading choreographer Carlos scientists, thinkers and artists from Pons Guerra and his the university and wider city for a DeNada Dance Theatre week of free talks, events, exhibi- company. tions and performance. It also includes presentations by leading Showing in Birmingham arts organisations around the city. next month, dance triple These include Ikon Gallery, Vivid bill Ham And Passion is Projects, Grand Union, being promoted as an Birmingham Open Media and mac evening of ‘seductive, Birmingham. provocative and emphati- This year taking the theme of Memory And Forgetting, the festi- cally Spanish contempo- val will explore the idea of memory rary dance theatre that in our culture and of the social sig- will subvert the senses’. nificance of remembrance and The production visits the memorialisation. city’s mac venue on Commenting on the event, Laura Thursday 25 February. Milner, Cultural Partnerships Manager at the University of Birmingham, said: “The festival is a chance for curious minds to delve into new thinking from leading aca- Wolverhampton theatre announces demics and artists. It overlooks the Is That All traditional division between arts There Is?, in Spring season line-up and science: each discipline can inform the other, sparking debate Brum Wolverhampton’s Arena Theatre has announced its line-up for the Spring and new understanding about the DA two-day conference 2016 season. Highlights include the return of 14/48 Wolverhampton, rich world in which we live.” for the arts sector, which sees fourteen new plays written, directed and performed within a The University of Birmingham Arts aimed at encouraging forty-eight-hour timespan. The venue also hosts an evening with Jean & Science Festival takes place at fresh thinking on how Toussaint as part of its jazz season, while Arena newcomers Milk Presents the university and across the city perform JOAN, a show fusing lyrical new writing with drag king cabaret. from 14 to 20 March. to work with young peo- ple with learning dis- Other shows featured in the season’s programme include Actors Of abilities (ypwld), is to Dionysus’ Lysistrata, Guy Masterson’s Under Milk Wood, and Vamos Round The World be held at Birmingham Theatre’s The Best Thing. for comedian Hippodrome in March. Is That All There Is? is organised by Open The Play’s The Thing at the RSC Theatre Company, a A new exhibition is set to reveal the West Midlands-based secrets behind the world’s most organisation with a famous theatre company. long track record of The Royal Shakespeare Company’s working with ypwld. (RSC) The Play’s The Thing opens in Commenting on the Stratford-upon-Avon in June. conference, Richard The new family-friendly visitor attrac- Critically acclaimed comedian Hayhow, Executive tion offers members of the general Russell Howard has announced Director of Open that he’ll be performing in public the chance to discover the secrets and stories behind the mak- Theatre Company, said: Birmingham - but fans will have to ing of the Company’s world famous productions. “This is a timely provo- wait a while to see him, as he There’s also the chance to see some of the RSC’s beautifully crafted won’t be bringing his new show to cation for the arts sector costumes and props, and learn how magical and gory stage and sound the city until March 2017. to reconsider its provi- effects are made. Round The World will be Russell’s sion for young people Commenting on The Play’s The Thing, Geraldine Collinge, RSC biggest global tour to date, and will with learning disabili- see the Bristol-born funnyman Director of Events & Exhibitions, said: “The exhibition will let people ties.” making a return to the live stage discover how our productions have been made over the years and how Is That All There Is? for the first time in three years. we create them now. The public space will also include a stunning Russell Howard: Round The World takes place at new artwork by Steven Follen.” shows at the Genting Arena, Birmingham The Play’s The Thing opens on 21 June to coincide with the RSC’s Birmingham, on 17 March 2017. Hippodrome on 9 & 10 Midsummer celebrations. March.

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First Word

Birmingham’s Citizen Khan tour NEW SHOWS Much-loved TV comedy character Mr Khan is heading out on AND GIGS tour. Birmingham-born funnyman Adil Ray is bringing ANNOUNCED! his larger-than-life creation to the Genting Arena in the Spring. Ray’s series, Citizen Khan, is currently the most SOULFLY Sun 7 Feb - The watched comedy show on British television. Slade Rooms Commenting on the announcement of the live tour, Mr Khan THE GAME Mon 8 Feb - O2 Academy himself said: “This is a family show, so bring everybodies - but FATHERSON please, if you are Indian (or ginger) you must sit at the back and Mon 15 Feb - The Rainbow don't drink too much! I look forward to answering any questions Venues on the night. And if you're lucky, I’ll have a photo taken with you MYSTERY JETS - unless you're from the tax office or immigration, then you can Thurs 18 Feb - O2 Institute stay at home.” THE FAT WHITE FAMILY Citizen Khan: They All Know Me! visits Birmingham’s Genting Sat 20 Feb - O2 Institute, Birmingham Arena on 6 May. WILSON Tues 23 Feb - The Slade Rooms THE CULT Tues 1 Mar - O2 Institute More panto End Of The Rainbow for Loose Woman FEARLESS VAMPIRE favourites KILLERS Loose Women favourite Lisa Maxwell is set to star Thurs 3 Mar - O2 Academy announced for as Judy Garland in a new version of End Of The LADY LESHURR 2016 Rainbow, which visits the Midlands in the Spring. Sun 6 Mar - O2 Academy Lisa, who starred as Samantha Nixon in ITV’s TOSELAND With Peter Pan still busily Tues 15 Mar - O2 Academy long-running police series The Bill, will be joined taking Grand Theatre audi- EMMY THE GREAT in the show by Gary Wilmot and Sam Attwater. ences on post-festive trips Sat 19 March - O2 Institute Written by Peter Quilter, End Of The Rainbow to Neverland, the popular TONY IOMMI catches up with Judy Garland in London during Sat 19 Mar - Symphony Hall Wolverhampton venue has December 1968, with the Wizard Of Oz star des- announced that its MARIAH CAREY Sun 20 Mar - perate to get her faltering career back on track Barclaycard Arena Christmas 2016 offering via a hugely demanding series of concerts. DISCIPLES Thurs 24 Mar - The will be Aladdin. Featured songs include The Man That Got Away, Come Rain Or Come Rainbow Venues Produced by Qdos Shine, The Trolley Song and, of course, Somewhere Over The ADELE - Tues 29 Mar - Wed 30 Entertainment, the show Mar and Fri 1 - Sat 2 Apr - Rainbow. will run at the venue from Genting Arena - SOLD OUT The show runs at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from 18 to 20 Saturday 10 December to JEFF LYNNES ELO Thurs 16 - April and New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from 21 to 25 June. Fri 17 Apr - Genting Arena & Fri Sunday 22 January 2017. 24 Jun - Barclaycard Arena Tickets for the show go on DISNEY FROZEN WITH CBSO sale on Wednesday 13 Home town gig for British female rapper Sat 16 Apr - Symphony Hall January. TROYE SIVAN Meanwhile, across the Birmingham-born MC Lady Leshurr will be play- Sat 23 Apr - O2 Institute Midlands in Shropshire, ing her home city in early March, as part of a UK MAC MILLER Shrewsbury’s Theatre tour. Hailed by Vogue as ‘Britain’s hottest female Thurs 28 Apr - O2 Institute Severn has announced that rapper’, the MOBO Award nominee - real name MANIC STREET PREACHERS + THE EDITORS its Christmas 2016 pan- Melesha O'Garro - is best known for her Queen's Sat 14 May - Genting Arena tomime will be a brand new Speech series of freestyles, the fourth of which SPACE production of Cinderella. went viral last year, and has collaborated with Sat 21 May - O2 Academy Presented by Evolution - the the likes of Tinie Tempah, Etta Bond, Gyptian PAUL HEATON & JACQUI company behind the and Fatman Scoop. She appears at the 02 ABBOTT Fri 1 Jul - Delamere Forest & Sat 9 Jul - Cannock venue’s Christmas 2015 Academy 2 on Sunday 6 March. Chase Forest version of Dick Whittington HEART - the panto will show from Sun 3 Jul - Symphony Hall Wednesday 30 November to Magic direct from the West End LIONEL RICHIE Thurs 7 Jul - Sunday 8 January 2017. Barclaycard Arena A West End show hailed as ‘the UK’s biggest magic spectacular’ visits Seats for the production can BETLEY CONCERTS - WILL the Midlands next month. Fusing ‘death-defying’ stunts, technologi- be booked right now, with YOUNG & SIMPLY RED Fri 12 cal trickery and close-up magic, Impossible reinvents some of the - Sun 14 Aug - Beltey Court prices frozen until 31 biggest illusions in history. Farm March. THE KING IS BACK Sat 3 Sep The touring version of the show features three original West End cast - Barclaycard Arena members - daredevil escapologist Jonathan Goodwin, mind-reading JUSTIN BIEBER specialist Chris Cox and illusionist Ben Hart. Mon 17 - Tues 18 Oct & Mon 24 The trio are joined by Britain’s Got Talent star James More, Cirque du Oct - Barclaycard Arena Soleil and Hollywood trickster Lee Thompson and hip-hop and break- THE FOUR TOPS AND THE dancing magician Magical Bones. Impossible visits the New TEMPTATIONS Wed 26 Oct - Genting Arena Alexandra Theatre from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February.

whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Whats On 30 years FINAL MM NO PICTURES.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:07 Page 1

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of What’s On...

Noticed anything different about this The 1980s. The decade of Glasnost, yuppies, month’s magazine? Miami Vice and mullet hair-dos. The Iron Lady crushed the invading Argentinians and Well, to celebrate our 30th anniversary year, the striking miners. Bob Geldof inspired we’ve had a bit of a makeover, redesigning Live Aid. Football hooliganism saw English your essential What’s On publication. clubs kicked out of Europe. While all of this and plenty more was making We hope you enjoy it! the world go round, here in the Midlands we Let’s pause for a moment to contemplate welcomed a brand new dawn in the field of re- how it all started, the trials and tribulations gional entertainment publications. What’s On Magazine was born, quietly and along the way and, equally importantly, without any fuss. the exciting year ahead! Thirty years later, it’s still here and as popular as ever - long after those mullet hair-dos be- came a ‘badge of shame’ and the Iron Lady re- linquished her steely grip on the nation. Following the dream Our founder and CEO, Martin “I was a man with a dream,” smiles founder Monahan, reluctantly posing for and chief executive Martin Monahan. “Not that a pic with our very first Apple the bank were impressed by that to begin with. mac (it’s an SE model). Pur- So I used my personal credit card to buy an Am- chased back in 1987, it’s still strad computer - they were all the rage at the part of the furniture today, al- time! - and set about turning that dream into a though obviously it’s no longer reality, without any help from the bank. functional - a bit like Martin, “The early years were tough by comparison some might say! with nowadays, when sending the magazine to

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Whats On 30 years FINAL MM NO PICTURES.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:07 Page 2

feature

Some of the current What’s On team attempting to pose for a quick snap purely for this feature! Quick everyone smile and look at the camera... crikey - oh well this will do!

From left to right: Front: Martin Monahan, founder and CEO; Lauren Foster, Davina Evans, Editorial Director; Lei Woodhouse and Ryan Humphreys. Middle: Sue Jones and Julia Perry, Back - Abi Whitehouse, Brian O’Faolain, Chris Atherton and Adrian Parker - everyone else was too chicken to pose or washing their hair!

print is a breeze - compara- some of the region’s biggest at the same time seeing the our first ever What’s On tively! We’d be up all night theatres. Birmingham and Midlands’ en- Readers’ Awards. preparing the magazine for the “Both the Birmingham Hippo- tertainment scene develop as a What’s On is now making its printers. It had to be printed out drome and Wolverhampton brand too,” says Martin. “And presence felt across various into columns of text and then Grand theatres were on board plenty has happened these last platforms. As well as the six had to be physically pasted from day one,” Martin recalls, thirty years, from the arrival of magazine titles - Birmingham, with cow gum on to printing “and they’ve advertised every Birmingham Royal Ballet and Wolverhampton, Stafford- sheets. It was a hugely labori- month since. It goes without the opening of Symphony Hall shire, Warwickshire, Worces- ous, time-consuming task. By saying how much we’ve appre- in the early days through to any tershire and Shropshire - we the time we’d finished, we ciated their support. And the number of major refurbish- now have one of the best enter- needed matchsticks to keep our ongoing support, of course, of ments and redevelopments of tainment websites in the Mid- eyes open! each and every one of our other our local theatres. We’re very lands. And our significant “It sounds like a real pain but regular advertisers.” proud to have been there growth on Twitter, with 60k looking back, it was a fantasti- As the years passed, the stable throughout, supporting and followers in Birmingham and cally enjoyable time. And we of What’s On titles increased. promoting Birmingham and the over 150k across the whole re- even managed a couple of Where once there was one, now Midlands as a vibrant hub of gion, is phenomenal. claims to fame. We were the there are six. top-quality entertainment.” We will soon be moving to new first publishing company in the “It’s been an amazing experi- offices in Birmingham’s UK to pioneer the desktop pub- ence growing our brand while An exciting future Southside district too, in addi- lishing package QuarkXPress, Thirty years on and still going tion to retaining our Shrews- and one of the first to use an strong indeed. And the future’s bury base. This is a truly apple mac - before they were fa- looking bright too, as the maga- exciting era for the Midlands’ mous!” we needed zine’s Editorial Director, Davina entertainment scene. It’s ex- panding and developing all the matchsticks to keep Evans, explains. “It’s a really Fantastic support time, and we’re very happy to our eyes open exciting time for us right now, From the word go, the maga- “ and in 2016 we’ve got some ex- be playing our part every step zine enjoyed the support of ” citing new developments - like of the way.” What’sOn

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Peach/Havana/Momo F/P 2016.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:33 Page 1 3 OF SHREWSBURY’S BEST RESTAURANTS AND BARS

all located opposite the historic and beautiful Shrewsbury Abbey!

Cafe Bar & Restaurant Ramen Noodle Bar Bar & Restaurant www.thepeachtree.co.uk www.momonoki.co.uk www.havanarepublic.co.uk

ALL OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 18-21 Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. SY2 6AE. Tel: 01743 355055 FOOD Jan - Region 2 NEW STYLE MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:32 Page 1

Food

Riverside National award for dining Shropshire venue A new Thai restaurant has A South Shropshire inn has been opened in Shrewsbury. named Venue of the Year by the The River Thai eatery is sit- prestigious Les Routier Guide. uated by the River Severn, Bridgnorth’s Ye Olde Punch Bowl a short walk from the town Inn earned the accolade for the con- centre and Theatre sistent quality of its customer service Severn. Its lead chef, Khun and cuisine. Commenting on the Aom, worked for many success, venue owner Adam Giles years in her family’s said: “We’re delighted to win this restaurants in Thailand Best restaurant at Curry Awards prestigious award, and to be recog- before moving to the UK nised for our consistent quality and Birmingham eatery Pushkar has first British Curry Award. We’re seven years ago. Khun passion for our customers.” been named the Midlands’ best always proud to represent promises authentic, tradi- restaurant at the 2015 British Birmingham and the Midlands. tional-style Thai street food Curry Awards. I’d like to thank everyone who’s and exclusive house dish- The popular fine-dining Indian supported us through the years. es, giving customers the restaurant, based in the city’s We couldn’t have done this with- chance to enjoy old Broad Street, beat off the chal- out the amazing team behind favourites as well as dis- lenge of eleven other eateries to Pushkar. I’d also like to congrat- cover some exciting new win the coveted title. ulate Pushkar’s younger sibling ones! Commenting on the success, restaurant, Praza, on being a Visit river-thai.co.uk for Pushkar’s Creative Director, Rai finalist in the awards’ Best more information. Singh, said: “We’re absolutely Newcomer category.” over the moon to have won our

REVIEW: Verve Bar & Grill in Dudley Informal dining, stylish surroundings...

Located within easy reach of bone, and the glaze was a lovely Birmingham, Village Hotels accompaniment. The squid from offers two restaurants - including the fritto misto platter was some Verve Bar & Grill, the subject of of the nicest I’ve ever tasted; the this review - a spa and state-of- batter on the prawns, courgettes the-art gym, swimming pool and and peppers was pleasantly light squash courts, as well as a vari- and in no way overpowering. ety of room options from which The mains consisted of a variety to choose. of specials, steaks and salads On our arrival, the manager and a few 500 Club choices - Although my main looked and exemplary, and we were made to politely greeted us and showed meals under five hundred calo- tasted delicious, I couldn’t help feel very welcome from the us to our table, introducing our ries - which was a nice touch. but feel slightly envious when I moment we arrived. waiter for the evening and offer- Following the waiter’s recom- saw my partner’s 7oz burger, My only criticism would be that ing us some olives to nibble on mendation, I chose the black topped with streaky bacon, the menu is perhaps slightly whilst we perused the menu. pepper crusted fillet steak in an cheddar cheese and pulled pork overpriced. Although Verve cer- The menu was relatively simple Asian broth with bok choi, (£15.95). He said it was one of tainly doesn’t skimp on the por- and generally quite typical of Chinese cabbage, chillies, spring the nicest burgers he’d had in a tion sizes, I’d probably knock a what you’d except from a bar onion and sesame seeds (£15.95, long time. pound or two off most of the and grill. Chicken lollipops, off the 500 Club menu). Although both feeling splendidly available dishes. Lauren Foster prawn cocktail and steamed As with the ribs, the meat was full, we managed to squeeze in mussels were amongst the cooked to absolute perfection dessert. I opted for the crème Food: n n n n n starter choices. and melted in the mouth. The brûlée and my partner went for Service: n n n n n My partner and I opted for the black pepper and chilli combina- the sticky toffee pudding, each Ambience: n n n n n hot-and-sticky ribs with a bour- tion made the dish a tad on the priced at £5.95. Both tasted Overall value n n n n n bon bbq glaze (£6.95) and the hot side. Luckily, I’m a huge fan divine and were a great ending OVERALL n n n n n fritto misto - breaded calamari of spicy food, so this wasn’t an to an enjoyable evening. with tempura prawns, courgettes issue for me - however, I All in all, Verve Bar & Grill is an Verve Bar & Grill, The Village, and red pepper (£8.95). wouldn’t recommend it to any- ideal restaurant if you fancy an Castlegate Park, Birmingham The ribs were cooked to perfec- one who doesn’t share my prefer- informal bite to eat in a stylish Road, Dudley, DY1 4TB tion, the meat falling off the ence. surrounding. The service was Tel: 0138 488 8830

whatsonlive.co.uk 11 Leona Lewis DPS.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:27 Page 1

INTERVIEW

leona lewis London-born Leona Lewis rose to fame back in 2006 when she won the third series of The X Factor. Best known for her 2008 award-winning sin- gle, Bleeding Love - which hit number one in over thirty countries - she’s back on the road after a three-year break from touring, to promote the re- lease of fifth album I Am. With Leona next month bringing her new show to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, Lauren Foster chatted to her about the new album, her departure from Simon Cowell’s Syco Records and her I Am Empowered campaign…

What was the inspiration I didn’t automatically leave the You recently sang in Italy with behind new album I Am? label and jump into a new deal. I Andrea Bocelli. How did that I started writing I Am independ- actually had time where I was out come about? ently, so really out of a record of a label and just me, on my own I studied opera from a young age, deal. I wanted to write an album and making the album, which so for me to be asked by Andrea that was very empowering and definitely had its ups and downs. was just a dream come true. uplifting - and a lot of its tone has After I started recording the When I first got asked, I was like, that feel to it. There are songs on album, that was when I decided ‘No, I can’t do it’ because I was there like Thunder And Fire to find a label to promote it. too scared. But then I got a bit Under My Feet, which is about more confident, and I’m now so getting up and doing something; You won The X Factor back in happy that I did it. It’s literally a about really giving you that en- 2006. Does it feel like almost a memory I will never forget. ergy to get out there and over- decade since you shot to star- come any obstacles that may be dom? Do you still get nervous in your way. It’s very uplifting. No, it’s flown by so quickly. Every before going on stage? time I say that to someone, Yeah, I still do - and I allow my- What makes it different to your they’re like, ‘No, it hasn’t been self to have that little bit of nerv- previous four albums? that long, it’s been maybe four or ousness. If it gets too much, I Well, I feel like this album, al- five years’. It really has flown by have to have a talk with myself though it’s me and I’m all about for me. and calm myself down. Usually really heartfelt songs, is coming I’m quite good, though, and have from a bit of a stronger place than More often than not, winners of just enough nervousness to give before. Maybe my other albums talent shows disappear off the me that adrenaline rush. were from a more vulnerable radar. You’re one of the very place. few who’re still in the lime- What’s the most memorable light. That must be a great performance of your career? After seven years on Simon feeling... There are quite a few. I got to play Cowell’s label, Syco Records, Yeah, it’s great that people are the Beijing Olympics closing cere- you signed to Island Records to still buying my music and feeling mony, which was really cool. I did release and promote your new the things that I’m saying. Obvi- a really lovely gig in St Tropez, album. Why the move? ously, everything has its high and looking out on to the water - I’ve I decided that I needed a change. low moments. I’ve always stayed been lucky to play a few gigs look- I find sometimes that when you’re true to what I love to do, to my- ing out over beautiful scenery, in a situation for a long time, you self, and to my hardcore fans, which is fantastic. I played with can get a bit comfortable. I really who’ve really supported me. It’s Stevie Wonder too, and with An- felt like it was time to change and been amazing for me. I feel very drea. So yeah, I’ve had a few re- do something a bit different. lucky. ally memorable experiences.

128 www.whatsonlive.co.ukwhatsonlive.co.uk Leona Lewis DPS.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:27 Page 2

Interview by Lauren Foster

Who are your musical more hustle and bustle; every- thing devastating into something influences? one’s very close and there’s more that was actually positive in her Singer-songwriter Eva Cassidy - of a community feeling. The style life. I started getting lots of sto- she’s one of my favourites - and and the vibe of London is very ries like that one sent to me, and Alicia Adams. Vocalists I love are cool. I wanted to share them by put- Whitney Houston and Sia. I really ting them on my social media. It like her voice; she’s amazing right Tell us about your I Am was really about having a bit of a now. Empowered campaign... social shift - especially now, with I Am Empowered started out so much negative and crazy news If you could collaborate with being an empowerment month. happening. I just felt it was im-

anyone in the industry, who I really felt Every day, I’d share something on portant to share something on would it be and why? my social media that was either a the flip side that was uplifting. Right now, I’d probably say Sia, like it was speech by someone that was em-

because I’m inspired by her. Bruno ‘‘time to powering, some words or a quote You start your UK tour in Mars too; I’ve always loved him. I change that I loved, some pictures or a February. Is there anything just heard a song by Beyonce and story. Fans started writing to me else in the pipeline for 2016? Coldplay. I’ve always liked the idea and do ‘‘ sharing their stories, and I would I want to get back in the studio of doing something with Coldplay. something share them as well. I started the again after the tour. The tour was I’ve always love that band. a bit campaign to get people involved initially going to be a bit longer, in sharing stories about the dif- but I made it this length so that I You’ve got a house over in LA. different ferent obstacles that people have had time to get back in the studio How does life over there com- to overcome. and start writing again. I want to pare to life in London? There was a girl who sent me a spend time with the family and It’s very different. I’m based in story about how members of her chill out too, so I’m looking for- both places. I’ve got a place in LA family had been killed by some- ward to that. because I do a lot of songwriting one that was close to them. She’d and recording there. It’s just such turned her life around - she’d a different feel. In LA, you get a lot been in a very dark place - and of space. trained to become a nurse so that Leona Lewis plays Symphony I’ve got horses, so there’s a lot of she could help and save people. Hall, Birmingham on Sunday land for them. London is a little bit She’d managed to turn some- 28 February

www.whatsonlive.co.ukwhatsonlive.co.uk 13 9 Diana Vickers Interview.qxp_Layout 1 05/01/2016 10:49 Page 1

Doing the time warp with Diana Vickers Diana Vickers Interview.qxp_Layout 1 05/01/2016 10:49 Page 2

INTERVIEW

Diana Vickers became a household name back in 2008 when she appeared in hit ITV1 talent show The X Factor. After making the semi-finals, Vickers released a number one debut single and album before taking to the West End stage in The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice. Since then, she’s been expanding her career in acting, both on stage and on screen. Now she’s heading to the Midlands to play the role of Janet in Richard O’Brien’s ever-popular rock’n’roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show. Here, she tells Midlands Zone all about it...

Is singing and acting something you’ve When it all comes together and you see the them to like me and think that I'm doing a good wanted to do since you were very young, final edit, it's really quite magical. I'd certainly job. It's such an important part of the show that Diana? love to do more screen work. It's the plan to do they like my portrayal of the character. I'm just more after I finish my current projects. trying to put my own stamp on things. I Oh yeah, it's been something I've wanted to do auditioned for the part and worked really hard, for as long as I can remember. I went to ballet, Who inspires your work? so I'm just going to go in there and do my best tap and singing lessons, as well as acting Acting-wise, Meryl Streep is a genius! I think and do it my way. I hope the audiences will school at the weekends. So yeah, it's she inspires a lot of people. Music-wise, I don't enjoy Janet as much as I enjoy playing her. something I've always wanted to do. really know. I grew up listening to all sorts of Were you a Rocky Horror fan before you Obviously you're best known from The X artists, from Celine Dion to The Beatles. There agreed to take part in the show? Factor. At the time, you were only 17. were a lot of people who inspired me. Reflecting on that experience eight years Yeah, I knew the film, as I'd seen it when I was later, would you have done anything younger. I've got a lot of friends who go and differently? “She's very see the show when it tours; they're huge superfans. I loved the film and was very aware No, I don't think I'd have done anything of it, but now I've got the fever! It's safe to say differently when it comes to what happened on virginal, she's a that I'm now a big Rocky Horror fan! the show. I perhaps wish I'd done it when I was a little bit older, maybe. It's such a big thing to young woman How would you describe Rocky Horror? do; it's quite stressful. I don't have any regrets It's such a fun show! It's a rollercoaster of a at all. It was a great experience and was very who's very show. It's filled with great songs and amazing much ‘of the moment’. I'm very happy with dancing. It's raunchy, it's sexy, it has sass and what's happened since then, so I can't really sweet and it's really funny. All of that and yet quite moan about the whole experience. emotional at the same time. It's very character- Did you ever expect to grab the top spot in innocent. Then driven too. If you want a good night out, where the charts with your debut single, Once, and you can get up and dance at the theatre, it's your debut album, Songs From The Tainted halfway through definitely the show to see! Cherry Tree? What's it like working with the rest of the No, I was so overwhelmed! When I got the she becomes cast? Is there a chemistry? number one single, it was wonderful - but when Yeah, we all get along like a house on fire! It's the album went to number one as well, that this sexy vixen” such a great company; they're all really lovely. was so overwhelming. It was such a big body Everybody works really hard and there's no of work, and I'd poured so much time, blood, You're heading to the Midlands to star in the bad energy. I'm excited to get on the road with sweat and tears into it. It was totally legendary Rocky Horror Show. Are you them all. Liam Tamne, who's playing Frank N unexpected and something that I'll always be excited? Furter, is absolutely fantastic. Every time I very grateful for. Yeah! I really can't wait! I'm really nervous and watch him, I'm in complete awe of him! The You moved into musical theatre in 2009, excited about the audiences because I've whole company hold it all together and help taking the title role in the West End never played such a big part before. And, of each other out. I couldn't hope for a better production of The Rise And Fall Of Little course, Rocky Horror has such a huge, cult team, to be honest! Voice. What made you decide to take up a following. When we're in rehearsals, everyone's What would be your ideal role in theatre? new career in theatre so soon after your thinking about the audience and what they time on The X Factor? want. I'm excited to see their reactions, but I'm There are so many great characters out there. I'd love to play Roxie Hart in Chicago. That I did theatre when I was younger and I loved it. equally worried about shout-outs or heckles! would be a bit of a dream! It was something that I wanted to do eventually But yes, I certainly can't wait to visit the anyway. Nica Burns, the producer of Little Midlands and get on stage! Would you like to produce more music in Voice, and Jim Cartwright, the author, You're playing the role of Janet alongside a the future? approached me. I was actually in the middle of great cast. What excites you most about Yeah, never say never! I love writing and I love writing my album and was keen to get on with your character? singing, but right now, I'm concentrating on my recording it. But Little Voice was such a great I love how, at the beginning, she's very virginal; acting. In the past, I've spent so much time in opportunity that I decided my album could wait she's a young woman who's very sweet and the studio on my music that I'm taking some for a while. Taking the part is one of the best innocent. Then, halfway through, this sexy time out to do something different. things I ever did. It opened so many doors and vixen is released in her. I love singing Touch taught me so much. It trained me so well in Me and I love doing the bedroom scenes - terms of my acting and my voice. It was a real they're such fun! It's a real buzz when I do that Godsend for me, getting that part. - and to see the transformation she goes Diana Vickers stars in The Rocky You then moved into acting roles in film and through is really exciting. Horror Show at Birmingham’s New TV. Is this something you'd like to do more Alexandra Theatre from Monday 25 The Rocky Horror Show was first produced of in the future? until Saturday 30 January, in 1973 and has since become a global Nottingham’s Theatre Royal from Yeah, definitely. I love it. I especially love doing phenomenon. Do you feel any pressure to Monday 25 until Saturday 30 April comedy. I did Give Out Girls and, more live up to past performers in the same role? recently, Top Coppers. I've also done a couple and at Stoke’s Regent Theatre from Yeah, I do. Like I said, the fans are so involved of pilots for other comedies. I just love it. Doing Monday 23 until Saturday 28 May. and absolutely love the show. I really want TV is really time-consuming but such great fun. 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Gigs

The Libertines Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 27 January To say rock four-piece The Libertines have had a bumpy ride would be an understate- ment. The band rose to fame in 2002 following the release of debut album Up The Bracket. The same year saw them win Best New Band at the NME Awards and bag support slots with Morrissey and the Sex Pistols. The positive vibe was painfully short-lived, however. Within twelve months, Pete Doherty’s drug use had precipitated some major tensions, and relationships within the group took a decided turn for the worse. Doherty even burgled band mate Carl Bârat’s flat, for which he was sentenced to six months in prison. In 2004, the band released second album The Libertines - which topped the UK album to put all that bad feeling to one side - 2010 Expect to hear favourites such as What A chart - but Barât’s refusal to continue along- saw a reunion show at the Reading and Waster, Can’t Stand Me Now and Don’t Look side former best buddy Doherty brought the Leeds Festivals, and their live performances Back Into The Sun, as well as songs from curtain down on the controversial four-piece. and stage chemistry successfully recall the new album Anthems For Doomed Youth. Miraculously, the boys have since managed glory days of the past.

Daughter Nahko And Medicine O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 20 January For The People The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Sat 23 January This five-member American world music collective deliver a fusion of cultural musical influences. “The oral tradition of storytelling is so important for our generation to bring with us,” says Nahko. “Part of what we try to convey is accountability and empowerment. These songs direct us to look at ourselves, whether it’s about a social issue, environmental or a personal Although commonly labelled a folk band, issue. They embrace Bob Marley’s idea of Daughter only just manage to fit the mould. world-bridging, bringing people together to resolve differences. For us, music is a Patty Griffin Playing the kind of music that’s both tool to create healing and activate people The Glee Club, Birmingham, Sun 24 January touching and heart-wrenchingly poetic, the to change things... I think our music pro- motes the bridging of all tribes.” Patty Griffin is a Grammy Award-winning three-piece regularly sell out shows and have artist who’s achieved great acclaim both for her songwriting and her powerful voice. been playlisted by Radio One, 6 Music and Her albums Living With Ghosts (1996) and XFM. Spearhead Elena Tonra’s lyrics are Flaming Red (1998) are considered seminal works in the singer-songwriter genre, while impressively deep, covering thought- her songs have been covered by artists provoking subjects such as doubt and including Emmylou Harris and The Dixie Chicks. loneliness. By contrast, her fractured vocals New album As Servant Of Love travels are as light as a wisp of smoke. through different musical terrains, bringing together folk and blues, rock and jazz and Their second album - Not To Disappear - is ancient and modern sounds - providing Patty released on the fifteenth of this month. with the perfect opportunity to show that her 1990s magic remains very much intact.

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Gig previews from around the region

Minus The Bear The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 22 January; O2 Academy, Birmingham, Fri 29 January

Founded in 2001, indie rock four-piece Minus The Bear fea- ture both current and former members of Botch, Kill Sadie and Sharks Keep Moving. They’ve released an impressive five albums and four EPs. Last year marked the tenth Massive Attack istered a huge success with debut album Blue anniversary of the band’s sec- Lines, scoring a further hit with second O2 Academy, Birmingham, Sat 30 January ond album - Meno El Oso - a album Protection. record which marked them out Alongside Portishead and Tricky, Massive Their third release, Mezzanine, sold over four as fearless experimentalists. Attack are one of the most respected acts million copies, making it their biggest-selling These Midlands gigs are part of from the famed 'trip hop' scene. release to date. a string of anniversary dates. Comprising Robert Del Naja and Grant The pair appear in Birmingham this month Support comes from Aero Flynn. Marshall - alongside an array of guest vocal- as part of their first tour in five years. ists and musical collaborators - the band reg- Blair Dunlop Stafford Gatehouse, Pentangle Mon 11 January The Robin, Bilston, Thurs 28 January Twenty-three-year-old Blair has showcased his skills as a singer, Pentangle are a British folk-jazz band boast- guitarist and songwriter with ing an eclectic mix of folk, jazz, blues and debut album Blight And folk-rock influences. Blossom and its follow up, They formed in 1967 and, along with Fairport House Of Jacks. Convention, were one of the shining lights in Presenting a sound that’s tinged the modernisation of British folk music in the with an American country and 1960s. bluegrass feel, Blair is part of a They appear in the Midlands to perform a famous musical dynasty; his show that features material from across five father is Ashley Hutchings, the decades. Benji Kirkpatrick famed co-founder of Fairport Twenty-one-year-old singer and guitarist & Janie Mitchell Convention. Sunjay supports. Ashley joined his son on Blight Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, And Blossom, which was hailed Sun 31 January as one of the most well-crafted Son of folk legend John Kirkpatrick, Benji has folk albums of 2013. certainly had a busy career so far. Whether it’s touring the country and writing albums with eleven-piece (and soon to be disbanded) Bellowhead, playing shows with folk band Faustus or releasing solo material, he’s always caught up in a musical adventure. This new collaboration with Shropshire-born Janie Mitchell showcases songs of love, loss and longing, expertly accompanied by uplift- ing harmonies and humour that promise to ‘lift your spirits and carry you out of the ordi- nary into the sublime’.

For the complete gig guide VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Classical Jan - Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:18 Page 1

Classical Music

Nicola Benedetti: Nigel Kennedy Syzmanowski Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 31 January Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Wed 27 January Perhaps in an attempt to distract himself Mesmerising audiences and critics alike with from the feelings of mordant anguish that her musicality and poise, Scottish-born violin- are part and parcel of supporting Aston ist Nicola Benedetti is one of classical music’s Villa, maverick violinist Nigel Kennedy most sought-after performers. has headed out on tour with an acoustic Her road to fame began when she won Young version of his groundbreaking Four Musician of the Year in 2004. Awarded an Seasons. MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list, The first half of the concert sees Nigel Benedetti went on to make chart history by performing his own English Collection becoming the first Scottish classical artist to compositions. The pieces have been wide- break into the UK top twenty. She also played ly acclaimed for their ‘melodic charm, a patriotic role at the opening ceremony of the elegance, beauty and great virtuosity’. Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. This Midlands concert sees her beginning the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’s mini-cycle of Szymanowski violin concertos with the ‘ravishing, fantastical’ Second. Lahav Shani conducts.

The Halle Orchestra Dvorak At Twilight: Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 8 January In Memory Of Peter Cropper Maidment Hall, Shrewsbury School, Sun 17 January Leader of the Lindsay Quartet for almost four decades, violinist Peter Cropper died suddenly in late May last year at the age of sixty-nine. This spe- cial concert pays tribute to a musician who was repeatedly hailed for his cre- ativity and fearlessness, and often Moricosta String Trio lauded for an undoubted streak of New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, genius. The concert’s programme was Wed 27 January dreamt up by Peter himself, his inten- A Since meeting at the BBC Philharmonic, tion being to perform it for the Trust internationally acclaimed musicians Lucy this season. It comprises Dvorak’s Baker-Stockdale (violin), Steven Burnard Cypresses’ for String Quartet, String (viola) and Jessica Burroughs (cello) have Quintet Op97 and String Sextet Op48. made a real name for themselves as the Moricosta String Trio, presenting their inaugural concert three years ago this CBSO Scheherazade very month. Symphony Hall, Birmingham, They here perform a programme that fea- Thurs 14 & Sat 16 January tures Kurtag Signs’ Games And Messages, Dohnanyi’s Serenade and Mozart’s Since its first concert in 1858, the Andrew Gourlay is the man with the Divertimento. Manchester-based Halle has been a real force baton as the CBSO open Nikolai to be reckoned with. The orchestra is Rimsky-Korsakov’s ‘book’ of musical renowned for its affinity with English music - stories. Scheherazade was an Arabic particularly the works of Elgar and Delius - queen and the storyteller of The and is currently under the charge of Arabian Nights. The legendary acclaimed conductor Sir Mark Elder CBE. Russian composer’s 1888 symphonic This Potteries concert sees the Halle celebrat- poem brilliantly retells her story. ing the music of Johann and Richard Strauss. Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, 16 and Jamie Phillips conducts, with Malin Rachmaninov’s jazzy Piano Concerto Christensson contributing as soloist. No 4 also feature on the programme.

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Festivals

Photo credit: Shrewsbury Folk Festival

When it comes to music - todotfestival.co.uk APRIL regardless of your preference, be it BIRMINGHAM PRIDE Line up to be announced, Sat 28 - Sun 29 May, Birmingham Gay Village. Information jazz, indie, folk, classical, world or CHELTENHAM JAZZ FESTIVAL Line up includes and tickets at birminghampride.com Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Frankfurt Radio Big pop - you’re almost certain to find a Band and Giovanni Guidi Trio, Wed 27 Apr - Mon 2 festival in the Midlands to suit your May, various venues in Cheltenham. More informat JUNE ion and tickets at cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz taste. And 2016 looks set to be WIRRAL FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Ralph another bumper year for the McTell, Eddi Reader and Oysterband Thurs 2 - Sun 5 MAY Jun, The Whitby Club, Cheshire. More information region’s festival goers... and tickets at wirralfolkonthecoast.com SWINGAMAJIG Line up to be announced, Sun 1 May, WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL Line up includes Peter Hook & venue to be announced, Birmingham. More informa- The Light, Kate Rusby and From The Jam, Fri 3 - Sun Panic! At The Disco, Of Mice And Men and tion and tickets at swingamajig.co.uk New Found Glory are confirmed to play 5 Jun, Cheltenham Racecourse. More information HANDMADE Headliners announced so far include We and tickets at wychwoodfestival.com Slamdunk in Birmingham, Rosanne Cash - Are Scientists and 65daysofstatic, Fri 29 Apr - Sun 1 LUNAR FESTIVAL A family friendly festival set in the May, O2 Academy, Leicester. More information at daughter of Johnny - makes her much-antici- spiritual home of Nick Drake. Line up to be handmadefestival.co.uk pated debut at Shrewsbury Folk. American announced, Fri 3 - Sun 5 Jun, Tanworth in Arden, jazz trumpeter, composer and producer UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be Warwickshire. More information and tickets at lunar- announced, Fri 29 Apr - Mon 2 May, various venues, festival.co.uk Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah plays Upton upon Severn, Worcestershire. More informa- THE ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL OF BRITAIN Line up includes Cheltenham Jazz, and The Neville Staple tion and tickets at uptonfolk.org The Blockheads, Nell Bryden and King King, Fri 3 - Band and the Brand New Heavies form part LEAMINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Celebrating the 30th Sun 5 Jun, Uttoxeter Racecourse. More information of the line-up at Leicester’s Big Day Out. anniversary of the Guarneri Piano Trio and the 40th and tickets at acousticfestival.co.uk anniversary of the Martinu String Quartet, Fri 29 Apr ASPARAFEST Line up to be announced, Sat 4 - Sun 5 - Tues 3 May, Royal Pump Rooms. More information Jun, Ashdown Farm, Evesham, Worcestershire. More And with increasing numbers of people at leamingtonmusic.org information and tickets at asparafest.co.uk choosing to trade the traditional summer ONE BIG DAY OUT Line up includes The Brand New ENGLISH HAYDN FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Heavies, The Neville Staple Band, Stone Foundation break for a weekend (or two, or three...) at a Thurs 8 - Sun 12 Jun, Bridgnorth. Information at eng- and New Street Adventure, Sat 30 Apr, De Montfort festival, it makes sense to plan ahead and lishhaydn.com Hall, Leicester. Information and tickets here demont- save money by taking advantage of the many forthall.co.uk GATE TO SOUTHWELL FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Hayseed Dixie, Show of Hands and Eddi Reader, early-bird packages available. FUDGESTOCK Line up includes Dead Sea Skulls, The Thurs 9 - Sun 12 Jun, Southwell, Nottingham. More We’ve taken a look at what’s currently on Father Teds and Six Appeal, Sun 1 May, The Robin, information and tickets at Bilston. Tickets can be purchased at therobin.co.uk offer and will keep you informed as more southwellfolkfestival.org.uk BEARDED THEORY Line up includes From the Jam, programming is announced. Keep up to date DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL Headlining are Iron Maiden, Wilko Johnson and Turin Brakes, Thurs 26 - Sun 29 by checking our festivals section online at Black Sabbath and Rammstein, Fri 10 - Sun 12 Jun, May, Catton Hall, South Derbyshire. More informa- Donington Park, Derby. Information and tickets at tion and tickets at beardedtheory.co.uk whatsonlive.co.uk downloadfestival.co.uk BREAKING BANDS Line up includes Reign of Fury, Evil LET’S ROCK BIRMINGHAM Line up to be announced, Masquerade and Blaze Bayle, Fri 27 - Sun 29 May, Sat 11 Jun, Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club, Bromsgove. More Bromwich. More information and tickets at letsrock- information and tickets at FEBRUARY birmingham.com/ breakingbandsfestival.com LEAMINGTON PEACE FESTIVAL Line up to be CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Melrose THE INTER VARSITY FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL The 65th announced, Sat 11 - Sun 12 Jun, Pump Rooms Quartet, Blackbeard’s Tea Party and Nancy Kerr & IVFDF will see performances from Les Zéoles, Gardens, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. More infor- James Fagan, Fri 27 - Mon 30 May, Kelsall Village. Steamchicken, Peeping Tom and Folkus Pocus, Fri mation at peacefestival.org.uk 26 - Sun 28 Feb, various venues in Coventry More information and tickets at chesterfolk.org.uk 110 ABOVE FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri 17 SLAMDUNK FESTIVAL Celebrating its 10th anniver- - Sun 19 Jun, Gospall Hall Farm, Leicestershire. More sary, line up includes Panic! At the Disco, Of Mice & information at tickets visit 110above.com/ MARCH Men, New Found Glory and Four Years Strong, Sun 29 May, Genting Arena, Birmingham. Tickets can be ALCESTER FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, NANTWICH JAZZ, BLUES & MUSIC FESTIVAL purchased from slamdunkmusic.com Fri 17 - Sun 19 Jun, Holly Bush, Alcester, Warwickshire. More information and tickets at alces- Celebrating its 20th year, the line up includes Big DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL The UK’s premier festival for terfolkfestival.org.uk Country, FM, Bad Manners and Kyla Box, Thurs 24 - unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside Mon 28 Mar, various venues in Nantwich. More infor- established acts from all over the globe. Line up to FOXTON LOCKS FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, mation and tickets available at nantwichjazz.com be announced, Sun 29 May, various venues, Sat 18 - Sun 19 Jun, Foxton Locks, Leicestershire. Nottingham. More information and tickets at dot- More information and tickets at

18 whatsonlive.co.uk Festivals - Region 1 MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:37 Page 2

Music festivals 2016

foxtonlocksfestival.co.uk THE FESTIVAL AT THE EDGE Line up to be announced, PERSHORE JAZZ FESTIVAL Fri 19 - Sun 21 Aug, Fri 15 - Sun 17 Jul, Stokes Barn, Much Wenlock, Pershore College, Worcestershire. More information UPTON-UPON-SEVERN JAZZ FESTIVAL Line up includes Shropshire. More information at and tickets at pershorejazz.org.uk Stephanie Trick, The London Swing Orchestra and festivalattheedge.org MellowTone, Thurs 23 - Sun 26 Jun, venues across V FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire. More informa- L FEST Line up to be announced, Fri 15 - Mon 18 Jul, Aug, Weston Park, Shropshire. More information and tion and tickets at uptonjazz.co.uk Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire. More informa- tickets at vfestival.com tion and tickets at lfest.co.uk LICHFIELD BLUES & JAZZ FESTIVAL Line up to be FAKE FESTIVALS The UK’s only touring tribute bands announced, Fri 24 - Sun 26 Jun, various venues, BIRMINGHAM FEST Line up to be announced, Fri 15 - festival. Line up to be announced, Sat 20 Aug, Selly Lichfield, Staffordshire. More information and tick- Sun 31 Jul, various theatres across Birmingham. More Oak, Birmingham and Sat 27 Aug, The Quarry, ets at lichfieldarts.org.uk information and tickets at birminghamfest.co.uk Shrewsbury. More information and tickets at fakefes- tivals.co.uk LINTON FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri 24 - BUG JAM Line up to be announced, Fri 17 - Sun 19 Sun 26 Jun, The Alma Inn, Linton, Herefordshire. Jul, Santa Pod Raceway, Northamptonshire. More SHAMBALA Line up to be announced, Thurs 25 - Sun More information and tickets at lintonfestival.org information and tickets at bugjam.co.uk 28 Aug, a secret location near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire. More information at shambal- KINETON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes Show of afestival.org Sat 25 Jun, Kineton Sports and Social Club, Little Hands, The Unthanks and Korrontzi, Thurs 21 - Sun Kineton. More information and tickets at 24 Jul, Warwick School, Warwick. More information PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, kinetonmusicfestival.co.uk and tickets at warwickfolkfestival.co.uk Thurs 25 - Tues 30 Aug, Powys, Wales. More informa- tion and tickets at presteignefestival.com NOZSTOCK Line up to be announced, Fri 22 - Sun 24 Jul, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire. CREAMFIELDS Line up to be announced, Fri 26 - Sun JULY More information and tickets at nozstock.com 28 Aug, Cheshire. More information at creamfields.com SPLENDOUR Line up to be announced, Sat 23 Jul, CAMPERJAM Line up to be announced, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Wollaton Park, Nottingham. More information and BEERMAGEDDON Line up to be announced, Fri 26 - Jul, Weston Park, Shropshire. Information and tick- tickets at splendourfestival.com Sun 28 Aug, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove. More informa- ets at camperjam.com tion and tickets at beermageddon.co.uk BAREFOOT FESTIVAL First acts confirmed are Brad NATIONAL FOREST FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes GREENBELT FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri 26 Shaw, The Mojo Slide, The Fruitful Earth and Fern Lucy Ward, The Shee, Monster Ceilidh Band and - Mon 29 Aug, Boughton House, Northamptonshire. Teather, Fri 29 - Sun 31 Jul, Prestwold Hall, Hannah James’ Jigdoll, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Jul, Moira More information and tickets at greenbelt.org.uk Leicestershire. More information and tickets at bare- Miners’ Welfare Hall, Leicestershire. Information and footfestival.com SHREWSBURY FOLK FESTIVAL Line up includes tickets at nationalforestfolk.com Levellers, Rosanne Cash, Raghu Dixit and Show Of CARFEST NORTH Line up includes The Corrs, ABC, LICHFIELD FESTIVAL Celebrating its 35th year. Line up Hands, Fri 26 - Mon 29 Aug, Greenhous West Mid Billy Ocean and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Fri 29 - to be announced, Fri 1 - Sun 10 Jul, Lichfield Showground, Shrewsbury. More information and Sun 31 Jul, Bolesworth Castle, Cheshire. More info- Cathedral and Lichfield Garrick Theatre, tickets at shrewsburyfolkfestival.co.uk mation and tickets at www.carfest.org Staffordshire. More information at lichfieldfestival.org LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD AUGUST SEPTEMBER Line up to be announced, Tues 5 - Sun 10 Jul, Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen. More information BULLDOG BASH Line up to be announced, Thurs 11 - MOSELEY FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, and tickets at international-eisteddfod.co.uk Sun 14 Aug, Long Marston Airfield, Stratford Upon Fri 2 - Sun 4 Sep, Moseley Park, Birmingham. More information and tickets at moseleyfolk.co.uk NOISILY FESTIVAL Line up includes Patrice Baumel, Avon. More information and tickets at Tristan and Koan Sound, Thurs 7 - Sun 10 Jul, Coney bulldogbash.co.uk ONBOARD THE CRAFT FESTIVAL Line up to be Woods at Noseley Hall, Leicestershire. More informa- BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR Twisted Sister, Mastodon and announced, Fri 9 - Sun 10 Sep, Stoke Prior, tion and tickets at noisilyfestival.com Slayer headline, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Aug, Catton Hall, Bromsgrove. More information and tickets at soni- crocksolstice.com NAPTON MUSIC FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Derbyshire. More information and tickets at blood- Fri 8 - Sat 9 Jul, Village Centre, Napton on the Hill, stock.uk.com BROMYARD FOLK FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Warwickshire. More information at LAKEFEST Starsailor are the first headline act Fri 9 - Sun 11 Sep, Bromyard, Herefordshire. More naptonfestival.co.uk announced, Thurs 11 - Sun 14 Aug, Eastnor Castle, information and tickets at bromyardfolkfestival.co.uk LICHFIELD FUSE FESTIVAL A free family community Herefordshire. More information and tickets at lake- WORCESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Line up to be arts event. Line up to be announced, Fri 8 - Sat 9 Jul, fest.co.uk/ announced, Fri 16 - Sun 18 Sep, venues across Beacon Park, Staffordshire. More information at lich- FARMER PHIL’S FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Worcester. More information and tickets at worces- fieldarts.org.uk Fri 12 - Sun 14 Aug, near Gatten Farm, Shropshire. termusicfestival.co.uk MOSTLY JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL FESTIVAL De La Soul More informaiton and tickets at announced as Friday’s headline act, Fri 8 - Sun 10 farmerphilsfestival.com OCTOBER Jul, Moseley Park, Birmingham. More information BETLEY CONCERTS Will Young and Simply Red have and tickets at mostlyjazz.co.uk been announced to headline, Fri 12 - Sun 14 Aug, LICHFIELD FESTIVAL OF FOLK Line up to be SHREWSBURY FIELDS FOREVER Line up to be Betley Court Farm, Cheshire. More information and announced, Fri 14 - Sun 16 Oct, venues around announced, The Quarry, Shrewsbury, Fri 15 - Sun 17 tickets at betleyconcerts.com Lichfield, Staffordshire. More information at lichfiel- Jul, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. More information at THE JUST SO FESTIVAL Line up to be announced, Fri darts.org.uk shrewsburyfieldsforever.com 19 - Sun 21 Aug, Rode Hall Parkland, Cheshire. More information and tickets at justsofestival.org.uk whatsonlive.co.uk 19 Julian Lloyd Webber DPS .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:38 Page 1

FEATURE

JULIAN LLOYD WEBBER Reflects on access to the arts, community engagement and life in the second city...

Following the difficult decision in disguise. “When we lose the rare that they'll pay a lot of to retire from public performance Adrian Boult Hall at the end of money for a ticket to something last year, celebrated cellist and June, it won't be easy, but we're they don't know whether or not conductor Julian Lloyd Webber taking it as an opportunity to go they'll enjoy.” began his tenure as Principal of out and play concerts all over the the Birmingham Conservatoire in city. We've got a new outreach But it's not all about facilitating September. A long-term, passion- manager here, Richard Shrews- access to music for children and ate advocate for the improvement bury, and we have lots of plans to young people: Lloyd Webber of music education, Lloyd Webber get out and engage with the com- hopes to make audiences of all is a natural fit for the role, as part munity, particularly with young ages more aware of the conserva- of which he will oversee a reloca- children. I want the conservatoire toire's diverse, exciting and very tion to a brand new, £40million to be right at the centre of what's affordably priced public events. building. going on in Birmingham, not something that's hidden away.” The programme for the new term “This building works well includes concerts and master- enough, but we'll be going some- As founder and chairman of classes from acclaimed perform- where so much better,” says Ju- music development charity Sis- ers like pianist Peter Donohoe lian, sitting in a large office at the tema England, Lloyd Webber has and baritone singer Roderick conservatoire's current home in long been involved in outreach Williams, the continuation of the the Adrian Boult Hall. “The new and community projects, provid- ongoing Completely Brahms sea- place is going to be state of the ing him with experience which he son - with two concerts each in art, totally focused around music. hopes to use in his new role at the January and March - and an ambi- There won't be many rooms like conservatoire. Dismayed by lim- tious, five-day Schubert Festival this around - most of the admin ited access to music tuition for in February which will see staff will be next door. It's a very excit- children, he recently hit out and students explore the com- ing time for me to join.” against plans to spend £500mil- poser's work via up to five con- lion on a new London concert certs per day. It's not only Set for completion in 2017, the hall, calling it a “wrong priority”. classical music on offer, either: new conservatoire will be the “It upsets me so much to see that March's Frontiers Festival will cel- UK's first in around thirty years. the majority of children aren't get- ebrate experimental, boundary- Located on Jennens Road, be- ting access to classical music. pushing work from contemporary tween Millennium Point and Music lessons and instruments composers, as well as showcasing Birmingham Ormiston Academy, are increasingly paid for by par- original music by the conserva- it will include over seventy music ents. In my view, children have a toire's composition students. practice rooms and five perform- right to experience music, and ance venues: a four hundred-seat they should get that in school. It's With most events priced at under concert hall, a one hundred-and- all very well having gleaming new £10, a glance across the pro- fifty-seat recital hall and smaller concert halls - but to splash out gramme should leave you feeling rooms dedicated to jazz, organ £500million when most children spoilt for choice. music and experimental work. aren't learning music at all, be- “People need to realise how many Naturally, of course, the transi- cause of the cutbacks, seems public concerts there are going on tion will bring difficulties, but the wrong. Where are the audience here, many of them free. The new principal wonders whether going to come from? People don't value is unbelievable: if you were these might not prove a blessing just walk in to things - it's very listening to an equivalent concert

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Feature by Heather Kincaid

in London, you'd be paying about Webber hopes to bring arts insti- taken time. In 2014, he an- four times the price. We had a con- tutions together so that the city nounced he was retiring from cert by a famous pianist called can begin to act “as a single en- public performance due to a her- Robert Levin at the beginning of tity”. niated neck disc which was af- this term, and he was playing the fecting his ability to play. same concert at the Wigmore Hall Another of his aims is to equip “I will always miss performing. If near Marylebone Station. I worked students with practical skills to you're lucky enough to be a solo out that it was cheaper to get the help them forge careers in the player and have that contact with train from Marylebone to Moor music industry - something he an audience, it's an incredible

Street and listen to him here than feels was lacking in his own edu- thing. It's unfortunate that the in- it was to hear him play in Lon- cation. jury was so specific in causing a don.” “There's often a very regimented loss of power in my bowing arm -

There’s approach to learning instru- I might not have even noticed Greater expense is just one of the nothing you ments, where you shut yourself anything was wrong if I wasn't a many things Lloyd Webber doesn't can get in away for six hours a day and cellist. But it's a really full-on job miss about London, where he lived ‘‘ ‘‘ practise playing the same music here, so I don't have much time London his whole life before his recent everybody else plays. We've got to think about it at the moment, move to Birmingham. that you to think outside the box more. which is good. I’ve always been “There's nothing you can get in can’t get in There are many different things passionate about education, and London that you can't get in Birm- Birmingham you can do in music besides I have a huge amount of knowl- ingham. Symphony Hall and Town being a concert musician, and I edge about working in music to Hall are amazing concert venues, want the students to find differ- share, so I'm doing something with things of a very high standard ent ways to use their individual which I think is very valuable going on all year, and the CBSO is talents. Some of the most suc- now. I wouldn't be here if it had- a world-class orchestra. I don't cessful people I've met in music n't happened, so there are posi- think people elsewhere realise didn't think they would end up tives.” how much is going on here: you where they are now when they could be out every night if you went to college, like being a wanted to. Another thing I like record producer, for example. about it here is that everything is We've got great people coming in within walking distance. That's so from all sides of the industry to different to London.” talk to the students.”

The ‘tight-knit’ nature of Birming- Nevertheless, Lloyd Webber him- To find out more about ham's city centre allows connec- self remains best known as a programming at Birmingham tions to be fostered easily between concert musician, and adjusting Conservatoire visit, related organisations, and Lloyd to a new life without his cello has bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire

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FEATURE Anna BAFTA winner talks about Maxwell her interpretation of the iconic character of Martin Lady Macbeth.

Feature by Heather Kincaid

Shakespearean verse meets carefully chore- and she talks about breast milk, which gives ographed physical performance in a visceral the impression that she understands the new production of Macbeth from company has. Funnily enough, although I’ve feeling of being a mother. That's something theatre/dance directing duo Carrie Cracknell been taking part in the dancing for weeks, I I’ve used, though not too heavily. There's a and Lucy Guerin, arriving at the don't actually have to do any in the final sort of hint towards the end, when she's Birmingham REP this month following its production - it was probably all cut out be- sleepwalking, that perhaps there was a initial run at the Young Vic. John Heffernan cause I was so bad!” child at some point in their lives.” stars as the ill-fated protagonist, alongside Fortunately, there's been one less thing to Maxwell Martin initially rose to prominence two-time BAFTA winner Anna Maxwell Mar- worry about than in some Macbeth produc- for her performance as Philip Pullman's tin. What's On spoke to Maxwell Martin to tions: the superstitious tradition of avoiding much-loved heroine Lyra in a six-hour stage talk about her interpretation of the iconic the play's name around the theatre has been adaptation of His Dark Materials. Yet despite character of Lady Macbeth. happily avoided. this early evidence of her commanding stage “The production is set in a modern world, presence and tremendous on-stage stamina, with a set that looks a bit like a bunker,” “I'd forgotten all about that!” Anna ex- she says she feels more comfortable in front says Maxwell Martin, “but I think the most claims. “None of us have been worrying of a camera than treading the boards. important thing about it is the way it com- about the superstitions, which is probably bines the text of the play with dance and for the best!” Cracknell and Guerin's only “I do find it difficult and I'm not sure theatre movement - a kind of physical manifestation previous collaboration was on the National is my natural home, but I still always of what's happening in the story.” Theatre's recent production of Medea, which have a good time. I love being part of a com- met with huge critical acclaim. By transport- The acting cast is supported by a small team pany of actors, and I love exploring a play ing Euripides' tragic tale to a contemporary of dancers offering a disturbing portrayal of for four or six weeks or however long the re- domestic setting, the duo created a claustro- the three witches, whose enigmatic hearsal time is. But it's the parts that draw phobically intimate horror exploring the prophecy inspires Macbeth to kill the King me back really. Whenever something by desperation that might drive a loving and take his crown. Chekhov or Shakespeare comes along, mother (played by a chillingly believable there’s an urge to take it. It's endlessly fasci- “The play makes it hard to know whether Helen McCrory) to kill her own children. nating doing Shakespeare because if you the witches are a symptom of Macbeth's fail- There are obvious parallels with Macbeth, analyse the text, it reveals lots of little jewels ing mind, or a supernatural force com- which also features at its heart a frustrated to you, sometimes even as you're speaking pelling him to act the way he does,” woman, driven to murderous extremes. it during the run of a play. I never get bored continues Anna. “They feature a lot in our “There's always a difficulty in making those doing Shakespeare.” production - however you read them, they're murderous figures believable in a domestic a constant presence in his mind, and they're On screen, Maxwell Martin's two BAFTAs setting, and that’s something I struggled represented in quite a scary, heightened way were received for her roles as Esther Sum- with. I try not to play her as a monstrous fig- in these fleshy-coloured outfits. If you take merton in the BBC's 2005 dramatisation of ure. There are a lot of different interpreta- them as something hallucinatory, then Bleak House, and as ‘N’ in Channel Four's tions about what Lady Macbeth is driven by, that's something that will fit in to any time Poppy Shakespeare. Fast building a reputa- so I've tried to find the humanity in her.” or place: certainly mental health is as much tion for her period performances, she’s also a part of our world as it was a part of Shake- Unlike Medea, driven to butcher her own appeared in South Riding, The Night Watch, speare's.” offspring, this version of Lady Macbeth pres- The Bletchley Circle and Death Comes To ents us with a woman who may have been Pemberley. More recently, you might have Physical training has not been exclusive to left traumatised by a loss beyond her con- seen her playing Mary Shelley in ITV's The the professional dancers, with everyone trol. Frankenstein Chronicles or Ethel Rogers in coming together to practise as “one big the Boxing Day broadcast of And Then group”. Of course, getting to grips with the “There's a long-running debate about refer- There Were None. choreography has been a challenge for the ences to a dead child in the play. Some pro- actors, but it's one that, for the most part, ductions have embraced that, but others they've embraced. feel that there isn't enough textual evidence to support that being a significant driving Anna Maxwell Martin stars in Hamlet at “It's really new to me, and it was a bit scary force. I think there probably is. Both Mac- The REP, Birmingham at first, but I've loved it - I think the whole beth and Lady Macbeth talk about a child, from Tues 26 to Sat 30 January 22 whatsonlive.co.uk Anna Maxwell single page MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:17 Page 2 Comedy Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:10 Page 1

Comedy

Little Fockers star live in Birmingham

Kevin Hart Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Fri 15 January

Philadelphia-born actor and comedian Kevin Hart is a big star on the far side of the pond, appearing in movies including Little Fockers, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Scary Movie 4. An example of his line in humour is: “Ever argue with a female and, in the middle of the argument, you no longer feel safe because of her actions? She may start pacing back and forth, breathing out her nose. You know what my girl do? When she get mad, she start talk- ing in the third person. That’s scary as hell because that’s her way of telling me that, from this point on, she is not responsible for none of her actions.”

Six of the best...

Stephen K Amos Isy Suttie Mike Gunn Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, Fri 15 January; The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Sun 31 January The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 26 January; Royal Spa Centre, Sat 16 January Leamington Spa, Wed 27 January Although a self-confessed pessimist who, on his own admission, “is not a natural choice "I used to do a joke where I said I'd have to Recognise the face but not the name? If so, for a career making people laugh”, Mike wait for Lenny Henry to die before I could get chances are you're a fan of cult TV comedy Gunn is nonetheless very good at generating on television," says Stephen K Amos, refer- series Peep Show, in which Isy played the moments of ring to his character of mirth for his belief that big Dobbie. fast-growing breaks for A writer and and ever- black comedi- musician as appreciative ans are few well as an actor audience. and far and comedian, Mike’s road to between. Isy's touring in the stand-up Whatever the support of her microphone truth, there's first book, The has been a little question Actual One. thorny one, that Stephen's She describes it taking in all very much basking in the televisual limelight as ‘a memoir about the moment in your late manner of these days. twenties when you suddenly realise that all truly grim jobs His success is no surprise, mind, given the your mates are growing up without you”. and an addic- quality of his material and his effortless abil- Her gags include: “My mate's a really bad tion to heroin. ity to strike all the right chords with his ever- actor. He got mugged and then had to audi- He’s been clean for a good few years now, appreciative audience. tion to play himself in the Crimewatch recon- which is more than can be said for some of struction. He got Passerby Number Two.” his jokes, one of which is: “My wife wants to be buried in her wedding dress. In which case she’d better hope she dies of some kind of wasting disease.”

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Stewart Lee Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sunday 31 January When you've been voted the forty-first Best Ever Stand-up Comedian, you know you've arrived - well, kind of! Stewart Lee shot to fame courtesy of his partner- ship with Richard Herring. He’s continued to press all the right buttons as a solo entity too, scor- ing a hit with Jerry Springer The Opera. His style of comedy won't make for the most com- fortable of rides, but he's thought-provoking, funny and memorable, so suffer- ing the odd moment that makes you awkward is a small price to pay for an otherwise great night out.

Rob Rouse Joel Dommett Ellie Taylor The Glee Club, Birmingham, The Glee Club, Birmingham, Bramall Music Building, Birmingham, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 January Fri 8 - Saturday 9 January; Thurs 14 January Lichfield Garrick, Fri 22 January Boasting a plethora of TV credits, including Ellie Taylor kickstarted her comedy career in Channel Four's 8 Out Of 10 Cats, ITV's “I absolutely love performing in small, inti- her late twenties, performing in stand-up Celebrity Juice and Dave's One Night Stand, mate spaces,” says Joel Dommett, once the reality TV series Show Me The Funny. Rob Rouse ped- face of MTV - “I got some other television work out of that dles a hyperac- until he was and a few bookings,” recalls Ellie, “but peo- tive brand of sacked at the ple’s expectations outweighed what I was humour that’s age of twenty- able to provide. I wasn’t really good enough much in seven for being at that stage.” demand. ‘too old’. “I’d Now in her early thirties, “I’m hugely far rather do a Ellie’s comedy has come a lucky not to small gig in long way in a short time. have a real front of fifty “It was tricky back then,” job,” says Rob, who’s recently launched his people, but be she admits, “getting very own podcast. “Something that essen- doing new offers that I wasn’t ready tially used to get me told off at school now stuff, than do old stuff in front of five thou- for, but I really do feel earns me a living. Genuinely, that’s how it sand people.” like I’m there now.” feels - to a certain degree anyway. There’s Joel’s extremely committed to the business of stuff that I wasn’t meant to say at school, or keeping his act fresh. “I’m working on mate- things that I wasn’t meant to say at work, rial pretty much all the time,” explains the that I can now say on stage. I can arse about, one-time warm-up act for Justin Bieber I can say exactly what I want, regardless of whose television work includes Skins, Live how offensive people may or may not think it In Chelsea and Impractical Jokers UK. “In is. As long as I’m accountable for what I say, fact, I try to put in something new every time then I can do it. Without being churlish I go on stage. If there’s something new in about it, it feels like a very healthy way for there, it brightens up the whole set and gives me to live my life.” it more energy and excitement.” For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 25 Steve Punt DPS.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:39 Page 1

FEATURE

steve punt talks about joining the cast of Rocky Horror

With the latest tour of The Rocky Horror Show set to land in Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre this month, comedian Steve Punt joins the cast of the surreal sci-fi classic in the role of the Narrator. A well-established presence on the UK com- edy circuit, Punt is best known for his work as one half of long-running double-act Punt and Dennis. Independently, he also writes for, among other shows, CBBC's Horrible Histories. But despite a successful showbiz career with ample experience in musical comedy, The Rocky Horror Show tour marks Steve's first appearance in a live stage musical. What's On caught up with him to find out more.

You'll be opening the new Rocky Horror Show tour in Brighton, Steve, which is something of a natural home for the show. Are you feeling the pressure of au- dience expectation? Lots of the actors have done it before, so you've got around you a kind of cushion of people who know the show backwards, and there'll be a weekend of previews to help those of us who’re new to it. But to be hon- est, having the chance to rehearse some- thing properly for three weeks is a relative luxury for me! Comedians don't really re- hearse much anyway, and a lot of what I do is topical, so it's only written a few days be- fore. Also, with radio, you have a script in front of you, so you don't have to learn any- thing. I'm really enjoying the process of working it all through properly with the cast and getting everything fixed in my head.

Were you much of a Rocky Horror fan be- fore you were offered the part? I'd seen it a few times so I knew it fairly well. Some of the songs I've known since I was a teenager, and some bits stick in my memory more than others, so it's really interesting to see how it all fits together. It's such a well- worked show - it's been on for forty years, so every single second of it has been meticu- lously worked out.

What do you think it is about the show that's made it such an enduring success? I think there's a whole mix of stuff that makes it slightly addictive. It's just so weird and so different from everything else that if you've ever seen it at all, you're not likely to

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I’m sure anyone who's ever had anything to do with the show before would secretly like to try out the full Frank-N- ‘‘ Furter get up - particularly the cloak. ”

forget it. There are lots of moments in the show that are very memorable visually and musically. I guess that's why it's become a show where the audience joins in a lot. Music I think is almost uniquely powerful in the way it wraps up memories for people, and it's probably been around long enough now that people who saw the original production will be bringing their families along. It's almost like the more familiar it becomes, the more people want to stay with it. Now, with so many jukebox musicals around, it probably stands out in a slightly different way to how it originally did. In a sense this is quite an old-fashioned, proper stage musical, with songs that tell a story and belong at too much about everyone who's played the things. Writing is about being able to polish their own point in the action. It also has a bit part before. It has to be between you and the something to perfection, and it's a very quiet, more depth to it than you might expect. It's text. concentrated pursuit, whereas during a per- gained this reputation for just being a romp formance you're completely in the moment with lots of audience participation, but the What's your costume like? Do you get and if anything goes wrong there's nothing last twenty minutes make you feel like you're a fancy smoking jacket? you can do about it, so there's an adrenaline seeing a proper piece of theatre. I've got a marvellous smoking jacket that's rush you don't really get from writing. actually being made from scratch! I'm not As a comedian, I'm sure you've dealt with generally the sort of person who gets jackets More recently you've been involved in cre- hecklers, but The Rocky Horror Show made, so on the rare occasions when it hap- ating work for kids, like Horrible Histo- takes audience participation to a new pens it's quite exciting. You can feel the be- ries. Is it different writing for children? level. Is that something you're looking for- spoke way that it fits, and in a largely Partly it depends on the age, but certainly I ward to? ready-made world there's a very old-school think once they're about eight or so, you We were talking about this in rehearsal the thrill to being fitted. should never talk down to children. They other day. You can't really think of it as heck- sense it immediately. As a kid, I always liked ling, which is often malicious and designed Have you ever been tempted to try out the stuff that was slightly too old for me - there to trip you up. In this case, it's more that the full Frank-N-Furter get up? was something aspirational about wanting to audience are part of the show - the obvious I'm sure anyone who's ever had anything to watch or read something more grown-up. In comparison is with pantomime. It is slightly do with the show before would secretly like the very first meeting for Horrible Histories, daunting because even when you know to try out the full Frank-N-Furter get up - par- we were told not to consciously write it for something, if you get interrupted halfway ticularly the cloak. It's amazing! It's very children, but to just treat it like a sketch show through, it can throw you, so there is a feel- much of its time, from that mid-’70s era when about history, and I think that's key to its suc- ing of trepidation among those joining for the pop acts like David Bowie and Peter Gabriel cess. All of the writers and the producer came first time. But it comes with the territory, and had all their elaborate stage costumes. The from comedy rather than children's back- not only have I been fully warned about it, costumes do make this show feel like it's in grounds, and it's gone on to win comedy I've actually been given a script with all the its own world, which is a powerful thing in awards. It's immensely enjoyable to work on. usual heckles in it so I can get used to the any production, but there's also a kind of pe- Of course, that involved big, silly costumes timing and where you need to leave pauses. riod charm to it now. too. You see - cloaks are always funny! The Narrator role is being shared between You do a lot of behind-the-scenes writing you and two other people (Charlie Condou and editing as well as performing. Do you and Philip Franks) on this tour - has there have a preference for either? been any sense of competition between There's an element of the grass always being you? greener, where part of you always wants to be We haven't seen each other rehearsing, and I doing whatever you're not doing at that mo- ment. When I'm writing something, I always get the feeling we're all trying to come at it The Rocky Horror Show plays New from different angles. There are many ways think it would be nice to be performing it, and then when I'm performing, I feel like I'd Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Monday you can play it, and I think that's precisely 25 to Saturday 30 January, Malvern The- rather be tucked away in a nice café some- why they bring different people in. I suppose atre, Worcestershire, Monday 9 to Saturday it's like any part that people already know - where with a coffee and a laptop. The truth is 14 May and Regent Theatre, Stoke-on- when you do Shakespeare, you can't think I enjoy both, but they give you very different Trent, Monday 23 to Saturday 28 May.

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Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 25 - Sat 30 January; Malvern Theatre, Mon 9 - Sat 14 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 23 - Sat 28 May Ben Freeman stars opposite X Factor finalist Diana Vickers in this new touring version of Richard O’Brien’s cult classic. It tells the tale of straight-laced Brad (Freeman) and the deliciously corruptible Janet (Vickers), who arrive at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. 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)! Other casting includes Paul Cattermole as Eddie/Dr Scott, Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff, and comedian Steve Punt (of Punt & Dennis fame) as the narrator.

The Snowman The Sisterhood Crazy Glue The REP, Birmingham, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, mac, Birmingham, Thurs 21 January Wed 20 - Sun 24 January Sat 30 January - Sat 20 February Single Shoe Productions, the company Henriette may want to marry the man she behind this ‘tragicomedy about loss’, cite as loves, but her mother, aunt and sister have their inspiration the physical comedy of other plans for her... Buster Keaton and the madcap absurdity of Highly acclaimed playwright and translator Looney Tunes. Ranjit Bolt has here adapted the classic A cast of two here bring together clowning, Molière satire Les Femmes Savantes, updat- dance, mime, quirky humour and an evoca- ing it from its original seventeenth century tive 1930s soundtrack to reveal ‘the crazy, setting to France during the 1980s. sticky, messy side of marriage’. A fast-paced comedy, it sees the Belgrade’s Artistic Director, Hamish Glen, making a wel- come return to the subject of marriage fol- lowing a string of successful classic come- dies.

Yizcor New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Making a welcome return to The REP in its Mon 25 January traditional New Year slot, Raymond Briggs's The Snowman is best known, of course, for Writer and director Sue Moffat’s powerful Howard Blake's classic song, Walking In The drama-documentary is here presented to Air. mark United Nations Holocaust Memorial When a young boy’s snowman comes to life Day. Using actual words - from diaries, let- on Christmas Eve, the pair set off on a night- ters and poems - of young people who expe- time quest for excitement. rienced the events leading up to the On their travels they meet reindeer, dancing Holocaust, it tells the story of teenagers penguins and some of the Snowman’s many Ariella and Moshe, along the way providing and varied friends. ‘powerful testimony’ to the devastating The adventure's not without its anxieties, effects of prejudice and discrimination. though, with the evil Jack Frost eager to get The play has been developed with support his icy mits on the pair of unlikely chums... from the Imperial War Museum and Val and Ibi Ginsburg, survivors of the Auschwitz and Dachau concentration camps.

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Theatre previews from around the region

WIN! TICKETS To enter visit whatsonlive.co.uk We’re Going On A Bear Hunt Birmingham Town Hall, until Wed 13 January This delightful adaptation of Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury’s popular picture book follows a family as they head out on an intrepid quest to find a bear. Catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adven- ture are combined with swishy swashy grass and oozy, squelchy mud in a show that seems cer- tain to keep youngsters well and truly entertained.

The Legend Of Moscow State Circus to astonishing displays of human skill and King Arthur endurance - many of which are evident in its Artrix, Bromsgrove, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, latest production, Zhelaniy. Sun 10 January; Thurs 28 January The Place, Oakengates, Based on a popular Russian folklore story, Shropshire, Sun 24 January The Moscow State Circus is very possibly the the show transports its audience to ‘a won- best-known circus in the world, based on drous and mysterious enchanted garden’. It’s over two hundred years of tradition. there that wishes are granted to the beautiful When animals became an unpopular aspect Zhenya, who finds herself surrounded by ‘a of circuses, this flexible family favourite multitude of flying, back-flipping, juggling, adapted to survive by moving the emphasis wire-walking and roller-skating performers’.

Locus Amoenus Death of a Salesman Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 30 January Sat 16 - Sat 30 January As the world changes around him, Willy Loman struggles to keep up. An on-the-road Although zany funsters salesman for longer than he cares to remem- Oddsocks are probably best ber, Willy’s notched up countless miles in his known for their humorous takes efforts to earn an honest crust for himself on the works of William and his family. But as the corporate world Shakespeare, they occasionally moves on, sixty-year-old Willy finds himself like to shake things up a bit by questioning the decisions he’s made - and looking for their inspiration wonders how the world can care so little for a elsewhere. man who’s given so much... This is one such occasion. Arthur Miller’s poignant and harrowing play Magic, music, mirth, jousting is regarded as one of the twentieth century’s knights - and an impressively Atresbandes is a Catalan company with a most influential works, its study of loneliness gutsy Guinevere - are all present growing reputation for producing thought- and failure having touched a chord with post- and correct in this high-energy provoking works of theatre that can some- war America. production. times be a little bit perturbing. At a time when society is changing at an ever- The company are promoting the This latest offering - their fourth - takes a faster pace, the play continues to have reso- show as ‘an exciting, interactive look at the final thoughts of three people who nance today, particularly for anybody who’s and action-packed winter treat catch a train and tragically die following a ever had the feeling that the world is passing for all the family’. derailment. them by. A sharp and perceptive piece, it offers Atresbandes’ trio of performers plenty of opportunity to show exactly why they’re con- sidered to be one of Europe’s most promising theatrical ensembles.

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Winter/Spring A new look for a new year

Until Tue 9 - Sun 31 Jan Sat 13 Feb From £14 From £18.50

Wed 17 - Sat 20 Feb Ashton Double Bill Wed 24 - Sat 27 Feb Romeo & Juliet

Wed 17 - Wed 9 Mar - Mon 25 - Sat 27 Feb Sat 23 Apr Sat 30 Apr From £10 From £25 From £13.50

IDFB is an award winning biennial festival produced by DanceXchange in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, funded by Arts Council England and Birmingham City Council. Nederlands Carlos Acosta Cloud Gate Dance Dance: Sampled Ballet BC Dans Theater 2 Theatre of Taiwan

Tue 3 & Fri 6 & Tue 10 & Tue 17 & Fri 20 & Wed 4 May Sat 7 May Wed11May Wed18May Sat 21 May From £15 From £15 From £15 £15 From £15

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p/min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:41 Page 4

Theatre previews from around the region

Private Lives Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 25 - Sat 30 January; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 8 - Sat 13 February Tom Chambers and Charlotte Ritchie star in this major revival of Noël Coward's ever- The Great popular masterpiece. Gatsby Written in 1930 with all of his trademark élan, Private Lives is one of Coward’s Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 January sharpest comedies. It tells of a divorced cou- ple - Amanda and Elyot - who meet each The hugely innovative other again on their second honeymoons in Blackeyed Theatre is the com- Deauville, and begin to consider dumping pany behind this new stage their new loves to try and rekindle their adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's literary master- relationship. piece. Typically replete with devastating one-lin- Set in the American Jazz Age of ers, Private Lives is a cynical portrayal of the Roaring Twenties, the story married life, infidelity, selfishness and inse- focuses on the quixotic passion curity. of mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby for the beautiful former debutante, Daisy Buchanan. In the process of recounting the tale - told though the eyes of Gatsby's Long Island neigh- Abuelo The Circus Of Horrors: bour, Nick Carraway - The REP, Birmingham, Thurs 14 - Sat 16 January Fitzgerald presents not only the Carnevil story of a delightfully decadent Lichfield Garrick, Tues 12 January; decade but also a cautionary Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Fri 15 January; tale about the American

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Sat 6 Dream... March; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 26 March An off-kilter affair that bears more resemblance Chinese New to a freak show than any modern definition of a Year circus, the one-time Britain’s Got Talent finalists Wolverhampton Grand here present a world beyond political correct- Theatre, Sun 31 January

ness and taste. With the performers dressed in a manner reminiscent of The Rocky Horror Show, If New Year left you with a yearning for further such festiv- there’s no denying the skill of those participat- ities, then this is the show for ing - or indeed the ensemble’s sheer ‘wow’ fac- you. tor. This latest offering is set in Victorian One month after we all wel- London and follows three adolescents who run comed in 2016, you’re here away to the circus. Trouble is, this particular cir- invited to sit back and sample cus is no stroll in the big top, plagued, as it is, an evening of New Year cele- In a story which ponders the question of what by ‘a swarm of killer klowns, demon dwarfs, brations Chinese style. - can be learned from different generations, a death-defying aerialists and fire-limboing acro- Attractions include the ‘auspi- S bats’. The show climaxes in what’s being young black Birmingham woman is struggling cious’ Lion Dance, the ancient with an identity crisis. described by the company as ‘an awesome, magic of face changing and no In an effort to better understand who she is, she flaming apocalypse’. little amount of juggling, acro- batics and kung fu fighting. explores her heritage through the legacy of her ‘jolly, gambling, allotment-obsessed, story- Heck, there’s even some ‘nim-

telling grandfather’. The Elves And ble staff-spinning’ to enjoy, not to mention the sure-to-be-cap- Created in the REP Foundry, Abuelo is the first The Shoemakers tivating antics of numerous, er, full-length show from Amahra Spence. Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon-Trent, 'monkeys'. Staffs, Sat 23 January The Lover Things aren’t going well in the shoemakers’ Austentatious shop. The old shoemakers are hungry and cold Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, and down to the final piece of leather to make Lichfield Garrick, Tues 12 - Thurs 14 January Wed 20 - Thurs 21 January one last pair of shoes. Award-winning production company Misnomer But help comes in a very unexpected way... Austentatious visits the Theatre here present Harold Pinter's surreal Live music, puppetry, physical storytelling and Midlands having garnered plenty of praise when it one-act work about a couple who resort to role- ‘plenty of elf magic’ are here brought together play to spice up their relationship - and in so by Derby Theatre & Big Window. debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe. Lighthearted and doing take their audience on a rollercoaster ride The show has been developed for children aged delightfully throwaway, it finds of confusion and deceit... between three and seven. the performers utilising audi- Tamworth-based actors Olivia Shepherd and ence suggestions to develop a Neil Lucas star. play that not only pays homage to Jane Austen but also gener- birminghamhippodrome.com ates plenty of laughter along For full theatre listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk the way. C whatsonlive.co.uk 31 Theatre - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:41 Page 5

Pantomimes and festive shows in January

Aladdin Cinderella: A Fairytale Dick Whittington Birmingham Hippodrome, mac, Birmingham, until Sat 9 January And His Cat until Sun 31 January Tobacco Factory Theatres and Travelling Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, Wed 20 - Sat 23 January Marti Pellow here makes his pantomime Light Theatre Company’s brilliantly quirky debut - and is being helped to settle right in take on this best-loved of fairytales visits the The story of a young man who heads for by the guiding hand of panto veteran Julian Midlands on the back of hugely successful London in search of fame and fortune is one Clary. runs at two London venues. of the most popular of all Christmas-season Former Joseph star Lee Mead, meanwhile, A 2013 Olivier Award nominee and a 2014 Off shows (okay, this one’s arriving a tad late). takes on the role of Aladdin, while Matt West End Award winner, the show is suitable With the dastardly King Rat putting in an Slack and Andrew Ryan play Wishee Washee for children aged six and older. appearance, and heady romance with the and Widow Twankey respectively. delightful Alice very much on the cards for Stunning 3D effects and a Santa’s sackworth our eponymous hero, this is a show that of quality comedy - both mainstay ingredi- Beauty And The Beast looks set to be packed to its post-festive ents in the Hippodrome’s winning recipe for Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, rafters with action, comedy and fun. pantomime fun - are also present and correct until Sat 9 January Presented by Jars Of Clay. in 2015’s blockbuster offering. AIan Lauchlan makes a welcome return to Wet Wet Wet frontman Marti is certainly the Belgrade pantomime, this time to take enjoying his first experience of starring in on the role of Dame Clarabelle Crumble. Peter Pan pantomime: “Panto is a rite of passage. I This year’s offering is being described by the Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, think the British embrace it because we see it theatre as ‘an enchanting tale of heroic until Sun 3 January; Wolverhampton Grand for what it is and understand it for what it is. adventure, true love, messy mayhem and fes- Theatre, until Sun 24 January We get it. Everything’s amped up, every- tive frivolity which promises to be the most JM Barrie's timeless tale of the boy who thing’s larger than life, there’s nothing subtle beautiful and beastly yet’. never grew up has long been a popular about it. It’s very family-orientated but it also Sounds like the sort of experience it’s well choice with theatres looking to provide a fes- spans generations.” worth sending yourself to Coventry for - if tive-sea- son family production. And as previously mentioned, on this partic- you don’t already live there, of course... And there’s certainly no bucking of that par- ular occasion it also comes complete with ticular trend this Christmas, with two of the Julian Clary. “Now there’s a man who’ll put a Midlands’ biggest venues offering audiences smile on your face!” says Marti, who’s also Wendy And Peter Pan young and old the chance to enjoy an action- responsible for the show’s score. Royal Shakespeare Theatre, packed adventure in Neverland. Read the full interview with Marti online at Stratford-upon-Avon, until Sun 31 January At Wolverhampton Grand, long-in-the-tooth whatsonlive.co.uk JM Barrie’s timeless tale of daring heroics, pantomime favourites John ‘Nasty Nick’ everlasting childhood, dastardly pirates and Altman and the Chuckle Brothers ensure Dick Whittington lost children is here reimagined by director there’s plenty of comedy to enjoy alongside Ella Hickson, who takes her characters on a all that splicing of mainbraces and shivering Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, of timbers. until Sun 10 January transformative journey beyond the sheltered landscapes of the Edwardian nursery. Meanwhile, at the Regent Theatre, Jonathan Shrewsbury panto favourite Brad Fitt here Wilkes and Christian Patterson look set to dons a frock or several to star as Dolly the In a swashbuckling family adventure, she hurls them headlong into a Neverland of further cement their status as Stoke-on- Cook in the ever-popular story of a young Trent’s favourite panto duo. While Christian man who heads for London in search of fame their own imagining, where shadows lurk around every corner, battles are fought and plays Captain Hook, Jonathan marks his and fortune. tenth year in festive entertainment by play- With the happy-go-lucky Dick finding him- won, happy thoughts are rediscovered, and heroines (as well as heroes) are made. ing the conniving pirate’s comedy side-kick, self involved in all sorts of adventures, and Smee. the dastardly King Rat up to no good, an evening of action, comedy and festive fun seems pretty much guaranteed. For full theatre listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk

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FEATURE Matthew Bugg

talks about his scandalous story of burlesque, blackmail and bombshells...

A writer, composer, producer, director, mu- sician, actor and dancer, the multi-talented Matthew Bugg is the mastermind behind the modern hit musical Miss Nightingale, which flies into Coventry's Belgrade Theatre on its fifth and final UK tour in February. Set in the dark days of the Second World War, the show tells the tale of an unlikely collaboration between a cabaret singing sensation and a Polish refugee songwriter, delving into the latter's illicit same-sex love affair with an upper-class impresario.

“Before Miss Nightingale, I hadn't done much musical theatre,” admits Matthew. “I find that a lot of it doesn't really excite me - it can be very predictable and often doesn't engage your brain enough. I wanted to chal- lenge people's expectations of what musi- cals could be by combining the best bits of musical theatre - the fantastic show tunes, the wit and the humour - with a really strong, surprising story, and I think with Miss Nightingale we've achieved that. This is a show which makes people cry with laughter one moment and moves them to tears the next.”

Creating a challenging, thought-provoking story with sufficient depth involved exten- sive research into the war period and the real-life situations people faced. As the hor- ror of war and totalitarian regimes created a climate of fear, homosexuality was consid- ered dangerous and unpatriotic, and women's social roles changed dramatically while sons and husbands were away from home fighting.

For those interested in finding out more about the history behind the musical, Bugg and his Marketing Director partner, Toby Oliver, have compiled a range of brilliant resources. These are accessible via the Miss Nightingale website and include images, videos, articles and lists of recommended books and films. “My husband Toby and I run the company together, and his approach to theatre is very

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Feature by Heather Kincaid

much a research-based one, with an aca- “I play Harry, who’s the brother of the lead leaving college, but he's just astonishing, demic validation for everything we do. His character. He's a northern, working class whereas Clara Darcy (Maggie/Miss first degree was in English and Drama, and lad who’s come home on leave and is look- Nightingale) is a very experienced actor- then he went on to do an MA at RADA. It ing for a good time. He's got some really musician who’s had a lot of lead roles - she was great having him on board because mucky one-liners, and it's great fun to play was previously in Propaganda Swing at the he'd always be questioning me and mak- a part where almost every single line gets a Belgrade.” ing really insightful points about historical laugh from the audience. But it's a very accuracy. Providing that information for small part - he's only in one scene - which Bugg hopes that his radical approach will those who want it is a really important part is good, because I think I would’ve strug- encourage both audiences and new cre- of what we're trying to do in terms of gled to juggle a bigger one with everything ators to think about the musical genre dif- demonstrating that there can be much else!” ferently. more to musical theatre than people often think.” Interestingly, for Bugg, juggling these re- “We want this to be a show that appeals to sponsibilities isn't about trying to retain people who already go to musicals, but Toby's family were also an invaluable re- full control of the project. If anything, he equally, if you're the sort of person who source, having fled to Britain just before says, it allows for a greater level of input doesn't normally like them, we hope that the outbreak of war. from the rest of the team. this might be the one to change your mind. “George's story is similar to what hap- “It's a huge workload, but we have a great We do have audience members saying that pened to members of Toby's family. They support network behind us, and I think it all the time - often people who've been were all either German or Czechoslovakian brings a real clarity of focus to the project. dragged along to see it by their partners Jews who were fortunate enough to get out Because the pool of people working on the have ended up really enjoying it. before people started being sent to concen- show is very small, we're able to be very “We're now the most successful original tration camps. They've been to see the collaborative. Listening to each other be- British musical for the last decade. If you show and they absolutely love it.” comes quite easy when you've only got a look at other popular musicals, they're all Since making its first outing as a small, small number of people to listen to, so based on pre-existing works. I like to think studio-theatre production in 2011, Miss everyone can have a say on everything, we're the vanguard of a new movement Nightingale has evolved considerably, with and we're still able to drive things forward of people who’re trying to rediscover what changes not only to cast and crew but also quickly and efficiently.” the British musical can be.” to the shape of the show itself. If Bugg makes big demands of himself, his “Originally there were only three actors expectations of the cast are equally high. and a separate band, so the biggest change Every performer in the show must be able is that we've now got a company of six per- to dance, play instruments and sing as My husband Toby and I run formers who are all actor-musicians. well as act. Perhaps surprisingly, for this ‘‘the company together, and his There's also been a lot of restructuring. In tour at least, they've had few problems fill- approach to theatre is very much total there have been about thirty-five ing every role. songs written, and only about twenty-two a research-based one, with an of them are in the current version, four of “We had very long shortlists. It was hard academic validation for which are new. I think this illustrates the when we first started and no one really level of rigour we're approaching it with, knew what we were doing, but since 2013, everything we do. and that's probably partly why it's doing so we've been inundated with people want- well.” ing to work with us - partly because they liked what we were doing but also because That rigour and drive for perfection sees word got round the industry that we had Bugg take on multiple roles within the this very collaborative way of working. Miss Nightingale shows at the Belgrade company: in addition to composing the ” From then on, we've had the absolute pick music, writing the libretto, producing and of the crop, and this year we've got a really Theatre, Coventry from Tues 9 to Sat 13 serving as musical director, he also plays impressive cast, all with very different lev- February. More information about the multiple instruments and has a small els of experience. For Connor O'Kane show and its history can be found at acting part. (George), this is his first big job after missnightingale.co.uk. whatsonlive.co.uk 35 Dance Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:16 Page 1

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Dance

Akram Khan Company: Chotto Desh The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 29 - Sat 30 January Cross-cultural storytelling lies at the heart of this Akram Khan Company celebration of the human spirit and its admirable resilience in times of trouble. Adapted from Khan’s DESH, a 2011 pro- duction for children and their families, it runs for fifty minutes and tells ‘the com- pelling tale of a young man’s dreams and memories from Britain to Bangladesh’. Theatre-Rites director Sue Buckmaster has helmed the show, which, it’s promised, will be ‘a magical, thrilling and poignant dance theatre experience for families to enjoy together’.

Anton & Erin Strictly Come Symphony Hall, Dancing Live Birmingham, Barclaycard Arena, Sat 30 January Fri 22 - Sun 24 January Celebrity dancing The ever glitzy and always glam- duo Anton du Beke orous Strictly Come Dancing hits and Erin Boeg return the road again this month. to Birmingham’s Hosted by Mel Giedroyc - and Symphony Hall this with regular judges Len month with their Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood brand new show. and Bruno Tonioli in tow - the Blending smart cho- live version sees the show’s pop- reography, sassy ular dancers putting their celebri- tunes and sparkly ty partners through their paces costumes, Anton with a host of new routines. And Erin are joined The Snow Queen Performing everything from ball- by the twenty-five- room and paso doble to the waltz Prince Of Wales Theatre, Cannock, Thurs 21 piece London Concert January; Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, and tango, the show’s stars are Orchestra, Fri 22 January; sure to delight Strictly’s loyal six ensemble fans. The Snow Queen is ruler of all she surveys. dancers, guest singer Taking to the dancefloor this year When she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to his Lance Ellington and are: Call The Midwife actress sister, Gerda, to save him from a bleak future conductor Richard Helen George; The Wanted’s Jay in the frostbitten wastelands... Balcombe. The well-reviewed Ballet Theatre UK is the McGuiness; EastEnders actor Jake company here giving this classic Hans Wood; Frankie Bridge from The Christian Andersen fairytale an imaginative Saturdays; actress Georgia May new treatment. Foote from Coronation Street; TV Expect ‘beautiful costumes’ ‘glittering stage chef Ainsley Harriott; and televi- sets’ and a ‘glorious and magical score’. sion presenter Anita Rani.

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Film

The Hateful Eight CERT 18 (168 mins) Starring Samuel L Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, James Parks, Channing Tatum Directed by Quentin Tarantino (USA) Two high-profile, snow-swept Westerns blow into England this month from world-class directors. This one is Tarantino’s long-await- ed re-imagining of The Magnificent Seven, with less clean-cut protagonists. Set in post- Civil War Wyoming, the film features eight disparate bounty hunters who take refuge at a stagecoach stopover during a blizzard. This being Tarantino, one can expect some pretty strong violence and explicit (male) nudity. The music is composed by the eighty-seven- year-old Ennio Morricone, his first score for a Western in forty years. Filmed in the Ultra Panavision 70 process. Released Fri 8 January

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in January...

The Danish Girl CERT 15 (120 mins) Room CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Starring Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, Amber Heard, Directed by Lenny Abrahamson Matthias Schoenaerts (Ireland/Canada) Directed by Tom Hooper (UK/Germany/USA) In the room, Joy and her five-year-old son have found a sort of equilibrium. For Jack, it’s all he’s ever known, but for Joy there is an alternative. The ‘other’ world - that place populated by other children, by cats and Joy CERT 12a (124 mins) dogs and trees and houses - is a magic place Starring Jennifer Lawrence, dreamed up by the television in the room. Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, For Jack, though, the real world stretches all Édgar Ramírez, Isabella Rossellini, the way to the end, round and round the Diane Ladd, Virginia Madsen four corners of his small universe… Directed by David O. Russell (USA) The claustrophobic domain of Emma That’s Joy, as in Joy Mangano, the Donoghue's 2010 novel cannot have seemed Tom Hooper previously directed The King’s remarkable woman who founded a an obvious choice for a movie. But Speech and Les Misérables and his latest business empire after inventing the Donoghue wrote the screenplay herself film has been generating Oscar buzz since Miracle Mop. And if that sounds a little before any filmmakers came begging. To last summer. Eddie Redmayne plays the Dynasty for you, look at the cast and sustain the emotional drama of the piece, transgender pioneer Lili Elbe, who started remember that David O Russell direct- one needed two outstanding actors, and the her life as the (male) artist Einar Magnus ed The Fighter, Silver Linings Irish director Lenny Abrahamson has found Andreas Wegener. Redmayne and Alicia Playbook and American Hustle. them. The seven-year-old Jacob Tremblay is Vikander - the latter as Lili’s wife, the illus- Jennifer Lawrence is said to be simply extraordinary as Jack, a damned fine trator Gerda Wegener are virtually guaran- extraordinary in the role. Again. reason to see the film in itself. But Brie teed Oscar nominations. Inspired by real Released Fri 1 January Larson is every bit as good as Joy and events in Denmark in the 1920s. together they collude to create 2015’s most Released Fri 1 January consistently gripping, moving and original drama. Released Fri 1 January 38 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:29 Page 2

Film releases in January

CRITIC’S CHOICE 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini, Dominic Fumusa, Toby Stephens Directed by Michael Bay (USA) Although Michael ‘Transformers’ Bay is at the helm, this is actually a true story. In 2012, on September 11, an American compound in Libya comes under fire by Islamist militants and the American Ambassador is shot dead. A group of CIA security contractors fight back. Released Fri 29 January

The Revenant bear. Incensed by his abandonment, Glass dreams of revenge - but first must CERT 15 (156 mins) find the will to survive in unhospitable Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson, terrain. The actor even ate raw meat to Will Poulter, Paul Anderson, Lukas Haas remain in character, which is pretty ded- Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu icated considering that DiCaprio is a veg- (USA) etarian. And because the director insist- Inspired by true events and filmed in the ed on shooting in natural light, the film frozen wilds of Alberta and British ran significantly over schedule, forcing Columbia, The Revenant has Oscar writ- the production to move to southern ten all over it. DiCaprio plays Hugh Argentina after all the original snow Glass, an 1820s’ frontiersman who was had melted. left for dead after being mauled by a Released Fri 15 January

Creed CERT 12a (133 mins) The Big Short CERT 15 (130 mins) Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rash d Gosling, Brad Pitt, Marisa Tomei, Margot Robbie Directed by Ryan Coogler (USA)ā Directed by Adam McKay (USA) For Creed, think Apollo Creed, or more accu- The recent economic crisis is given a make- rately Adonis ‘Donnie’ Creed, Apollo’s son. over in this comic drama from the director Apollo was Rocky Balboa’s main pugilistic of the Anchorman films. And it’s based on a rival in the Oscar-winning 1976 film Rocky. true story. What makes it so compelling are But time has moved on and now the ageing the characters that people the battlefield, Rocky takes on the role of trainer for his old real eccentrics who rose to the top of the adversary’s boy. Filmed in Philadelphia and cesspool in spite of their quirks. Christian Liverpool. Bale is Michael Burry, a sort-of genius who Released Fri 15 January turns up to work in sandals and Bermuda shorts and utters two words that could gain The Big Short its immortality: “Everybody’s The 5th Wave CERT 12a tbc wrong.” Arrogance was certainly a factor in Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, the financial crisis, as was greed and bare- Ron Livingston, Maggie Siff, Maria Bello, faced fraud. If you can’t tell your triple A- Liev Schreiber rated package from your bespoke tranche Directed by J. Blakeson (USA) opportunity, don’t worry. As one exasperat- The world is under attack from aliens and ed character exclaims: “It’s like two plus after four extraterrestrial assaults, the earth two equals fish.” The result is a stylish, is all but destroyed. One of our planet’s last smart, fast and irreverent Western in which survivors, Cassie (Moretz) teams up with a the lassos and bullets have been replaced young man who may be her last hope - if by strategy and big words. she can trust him. Adapted from the young Released Fri 22 January adult novel by Rick Yancey, this is the first of a proposed trilogy (here we go again). Released Fri 22 January

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Film

Spotlight A War CERT 15 (115 mins) CERT 15 (115 mins) Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel Starring Pilou Asbæk, Tuva Novotny, Søren McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Malling, Dar Salim, Charlotte Munck Stanley Tucci Directed by Tobias Lindholm (Denmark) Directed by Tom McCarthy (USA) In war, there are two fronts. For the wife and The spotlight is on Catholic priests in three children of company commander Boston back in 2001. It’s old news now, par- Claus M Pedersen (Asbæk), there is the day- ticularly for those who have seen Alex Ride Along 2 to-day drama of coping without a husband Gibney’s stunning 2012 documentary Mea CERT 15 (115 mins) and father. For Pedersen, there is the more Maxima Culpa: Silence In The House Of Starring Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika immediate drama of saving his men from a God, but Tom McCarthy’s finely researched Sumpter, Benjamin Bratt, Olivia Munn raid by the Taliban in Helmand Province, drama is still a story worth telling. Directed by Tim Story (USA) Afghanistan. ‘Spotlight’ was the name of a special inves- Former security guard Ben Barber Released Fri 8 January tigative unit within The Boston Globe, and (Hart) is now a full-fledged cop and the film reveals more about the mechanics rides along with his soon-to-be broth- of top-tier American journalism than it does er-in-law James Payton (Cube) on a about the corruption of the Catholic church. drug takedown in Miami. But they’re It’s a meticulous and smart, low-key study still not seeing eye-to-eye… of the rigours of investigative reportage, albeit without the narrative energy of, say, Released Fri 22 January Alan J Pakula’s seminal All The President’s Men. Indeed, it is a surprisingly forensic Capture The Flag and unmoving film that is more concerned CERT PG (94 mins) with the mechanics of the newspaper world Directed by Enrique Gato (Spain) than the fall-out from child abuse. While this sounds like a rather patri- Our Brand is Crisis Released Fri 29 January otic (flag-waving) American cartoon, CERT 15 (115 mins) it’s actually the work of Spain’s Starring Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Lightbox Animation Studios. The Anthony Mackie, Joaquim de Almeida, Ann ’toon focuses on the twelve-year-old Dowd, Scoot McNairy Mike Goldwing, whose grandfather Directed by David Gordon Green (USA) was supposed to have flown to the moon with Neil Armstrong, but dropped out of the mission when his son - Mike’s father - got chicken-pox. Mike then stowaways on a new flight to the lunar surface to thwart the plans of a Texas billionaire to discred- Sleeping WIth it NASA’s achievements. Cute. In 3D. Released Fri 29 January Other People Based on the 2005 documentary of the same CERT 15 (101 mins) name, this political satire follows a presi- Starring Jason Sudeikis, Alison Brie, Adam dential campaign in Bolivia conducted by Scott, Jason Mantzoukas, Natasha Lyonne, rival American electioneering strategists. Adam Brody, Amanda Peet Amazing, but some of it is true. Ms Bullock’s Directed by Leslye Headland (USA) part was originally written for a male actor. Jake (Sudeikis) is a womaniser. Lainey (Brie) Released Fri 22 January is a serial cheat. But when they get together, sex is the last thing on their minds. They just like each other... The 33 CERT 12a (127 mins) Released Fri 1 January Dirty Grandpa Starring Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Juliette Binoche, James Brolin, Lou Diamond CERT 15 (115 mins) Phillips, Gabriel Byrne Starring Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Directed by Patricia Riggen (Chile/Colombia) Deutch, Aubrey Plaza, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Hough Directed by The thirty-three were the Chilean miners Dan Mazer (USA) who found themselves trapped when their Days before his wedding, Jason gold and copper mine collapsed in 2010. The (Efron) is tricked into driving his event captured the imagination of the world debauched grandfather to Florida for and a film of the disaster was perhaps the spring break. Not to be confused inevitable. It features the very last score of with the Jackass movie Bad Grandpa the late Oscar-winning composer James (2013). Horner. Released Fri 29 January Released Fri 29 January 40 whatsonlive.co.uk Film Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:29 Page 4

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

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Visual Arts

Janet Mendelsohn: Varna Road Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, Wed 27 January - Sun 3 April

American academic and documentary film- maker Janet Mendelsohn was a student at the University of Birmingham in the late 1960s. While there, she began to explore ways in which photography could be used in field research. Her resulting project comprised nearly three thousand photographs, the majority of which depicted everyday life in the Birmingham inner-city district of Balsall Heath. Many of the photos featured a sex worker referred to as Kathleen, with whom the pho- tographer formed a close relationship. This new Ikon exhibition presents a signifi- cant selection of photos from Mendelsohn’s project, not only illustrating the unquestion- able talent of the woman behind the lens but also providing a fascinating insight into a community in an acute state of flux...

Jan Vanriet: The Music Boy Still, Still Life Richard Woods: The New Art Gallery, Walsall, Shire Hall Gallery, Stafford, Duck Weave Fri 29 January - Sun 8 May Sat 9 January - Sun 6 March Eastside Projects, Birmingham, Sat 30 January - Sat 9 April A ‘still life’ work of art features a depic- Richard Woods is wide- tion of inanimate, everyday objects. ly known for his large- These can be either natural or manufac- scale transformative tured. graphic artworks on To shed further light on the matter, the architecture, and for Tate Museum’s glossary defines the sub- his inventive and play- ject of a still life as ‘anything that does ful sculpture, painting not move or is dead’... and woodblock printed This thought-provoking exhibition, com- furniture. Woods here prising paintings, photographs, textiles researches the rede- and installations, takes a look at select- ployment of a thousand-year-old Midlands ed artists’ approaches to still life, bring- construction technique. ing together work which is conventional with pieces that are experimental. Hopes And Dreams: Statement Of Intent Explored Belgian artist Jan Vanriet’s work is heavily influenced by the Second World War stories Parkside Gallery, Birmingham City University, Mon 11 January - Fri 12 February and memories conveyed to him by his par- ents, who met in the Mauthausen concentra- “We invited our members to submit works tion camp. based around the theme of manifestos,” As such, themes of love, loss, identity, des- explains Letter Exchange, a small group of tiny and disappearance are greatly in evi- lettering professionals dedicated to preserv- dence in his paintings. Yet despite such ing, promoting and developing expertise in weighty subject matter, his works invariably the lettering arts. “The words in the exhibi- manage to convey a sense of the artist’s play- tion are eclectic and diverse, in turns enig- fulness and his lightness of touch. matic, obscure, uplifting and inspirational. The exhibition’s title refers to a polyptych of The exhibits demonstrate an innate under- four paintings depicting Vanriet’s uncle as a standing of letterforms and are executed boy, playing the accordion in the presence of with the technical skill that underpins the his mother before the war (as seen above). commitment of Letter Exchange members to the very best in the lettering arts.” 42 whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:48 Page 2

A World To Win: Gerard Byrne: Posters Of Protest 1/125 Of A Second And Revolution Mead Gallery, Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Sat 16 January - Sat 12 March Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Sat 30 January - Sunday 10 April The means by which the present can Drawing on the Victoria & Albert be understood through a revisiting of Museum’s collection, this fasci- the past is explored in the work of nating exhibition takes a look at Irish artist Gerard Byrne. a century of posters specifically Byrne, who utilises photography, designed and displayed with the video and live art, is renowned for his intention of prompting and pro- film installations, which re-enact con- moting political change. versations from specific historic The display features around sev- moments. enty posters and showcases the This latest exhibition centres on the work of diverse artists, graphic world premiere of a new film by the designers and print collectives. artist. During its course, he stages a con- frontation between the photographic image and the forms of representation that it supplanted.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Events Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:57 Page 1

Events

Monster Energy Arenacross Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sat 23 - Sun 24 January An absolute must for extreme sports fans, the Monster Energy Arenacross Tour brings all the spectacular elements of motorcross indoors for a ‘non-stop white-knuckle ride’. Set to a pumping soundtrack and laser show, Arenacross sees the world’s best freestylers taking to the track to present some truly awe-inspiring entertainment. Alongside plenty of top British talent, the show also features riders representing America, France, Spain, Italy, Estonia and Finland - not to mention racing gladiators from as young as seven taking to the circuit in search of Arenacross glory...

Tattoo Freeze BBL Cup Final The International Centre, Telford, Camper Mart Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Shropshire, Sun 31 January The International Centre, Telford, Sun 17 January Shropshire, Sun 31 January One of the most eagerly anticipated dates on “The aim of Camper Mart,” explain the British Basketball League (BBL) calendar, the event’s organisers, “is to cater for this annual event sees stars of the national every conceivable need for people who game go head-to-head in pursuit of coveted own, are restoring, maintaining, cus- silverware. tomising or who just simply display an The get-together also features some of interest in owning a Volkswagen Europe’s top slam dunkers - giving it their all Camper. in a bid to become the BBL Slam Dunk “Our trade stalls display a plethora of Champion - and the Women’s British VW goodies, giving our visitor excel- Basketball League Trophy Final, taking place lent choice. during the show for the second year running. “And if you’re having problems with your bus, want some general advice on tuning, modifications or anything bus related, our resident ‘bus doctor’ team is on hand to help out.”

Following on from the success of previous shows, this specialist one-day event offers members of the general public the chance to get themselves tattooed by one (or more!) of the two hundred talented tattooists who’ll be in attendance. Past shows have featured some of the world’s See for all your greatest graffiti artists, BMX and skateboard thelist champions, shopping stalls, children’s activi- events listings ties, national roller derby tournaments and ice sculpture demonstrations and work- shops.

44 whatsonlive.co.uk Events Jan - Region 1.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:22 Page 2 What's On Readers Awards.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:31 Page 1

Readers’ #culturematters Awards #artsmatters

Get VOTING for your favourite Midlands events and venues in the...

Readers’ What’sOn Awards

CATEGORIES INCLUDE BEST: Yes, it’s time for you to show just how much you

Touring Musical appreciate Birmingham and the West Midlands’ Touring Play ever-vibrant arts and entertainment scene! Home Produced Show Front of House Nominate and vote online for your favourites to Regional Theatre Venue help them secure a place in our What’s On Regional Music/Arts Venue Readers’ Awards Top 5 Shortlist. Regional Visitor Attraction Outdoor Event The shortlist will be announced in our February Arts Event issue, when you’ll have another chance to VOTE Art Gallery/Exhibition Venue Exhibition for your favourite in each category. So get voting Comedy Venue now! Midlands Comedian Live Midlands Band Complete our Readership Survey for the chance to Midlands Female Musician WIN £1000 cash! Midlands Male Musician Music Festival VOTE for your NOMINATIONS by 20 January 2016 Arts Festival Family-friendly Festival The Top 5 Shortlist in each category will be announced Food Festival at the end of January - and then you’ll get the chance Independent Cinema Venue to VOTE one more time for your favourites. Voting will Midlands Restaurant close at the end of February. Community Achievement Award WINNERS will be announced in the Spring VOTE today at whatsonlive.co.uk

46 whatsonlive.co.uk Competitions January .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:21 Page 2

Win! To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk

Tickets for Autosport Tickets to BBL Cup Final Tickets to Into the Hoods International (Remixed)

Closes Monday 11 January Closes Friday 15 January Closes Thursday 18 February Tickets to Of Mice and Men Tickets to Hamlet Tickets to Avenue Q

Closes Tues 1 March Closes Thursday 24 March Closes Tuesday 9 February Tickets to Dial M For Murder Tickets to End of the Rainbow Tickets to Camper Mart

Closes Tuesday 19 January Closes Tuesday 16 February Closes Friday 22 January Tickets to The Monster Energy Tickets to see The Great Tickets to Bring On The Arenacross Tour Gatsby Bollywood

Closes Friday 15 January Closes Friday 22 January Closes Friday 15 April Tickets to The Snowman Tickets to Jackie The Musical Tickets to Wipers

Closes Wednesday 13 January Closes Tuesday 8 March Closes Thursday 5 May

To enter all competitions go to whatsonlive.co.uk also follow us on Twitter for more great competitions

whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Whats On 30 years FINAL MM NO PICTURES.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:16 Page 1

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of What’s On...

Noticed anything different about this The 1980s. The decade of Glasnost, yuppies, month’s magazine? Miami Vice and mullet hair-dos. The Iron Lady crushed the invading Argentinians and Well, to celebrate our 30th anniversary year, the striking miners. Bob Geldof inspired we’ve had a bit of a makeover, redesigning Live Aid. Football hooliganism saw English your essential What’s On publication. clubs kicked out of Europe. While all of this and plenty more was making We hope you enjoy it! the world go round, here in the Midlands we Let’s pause for a moment to contemplate welcomed a brand new dawn in the field of re- how it all started, the trials and tribulations gional entertainment publications. What’s On Magazine was born, quietly and along the way and, equally importantly, without any fuss. the exciting year ahead! Thirty years later, it’s still here and as popular as ever - long after those mullet hair-dos be- came a ‘badge of shame’ and the Iron Lady re- linquished her steely grip on the nation. Following the dream Our founder and CEO, Martin “I was a man with a dream,” smiles founder Monahan, reluctantly posing for and chief executive Martin Monahan. “Not that a pic with our very first Apple the bank were impressed by that to begin with. mac (it’s an SE model). Pur- So I used my personal credit card to buy an Am- chased back in 1987, it’s still strad computer - they were all the rage at the part of the furniture today, al- time! - and set about turning that dream into a though obviously it’s no longer reality, without any help from the bank. functional - a bit like Martin, “The early years were tough by comparison some might say! with nowadays, when sending the magazine to

48 whatsonlive.co.uk Whats On 30 years FINAL MM NO PICTURES.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:16 Page 2

feature

Some of the current What’s On team attempting to pose for a quick snap purely for this feature! Quick everyone smile and look at the camera... crikey - oh well this will do!

From left to right: Front: Martin Monahan, founder and CEO; Lauren Foster, Davina Evans, Editorial Director; Lei Woodhouse and Ryan Humphreys. Middle: Sue Jones and Julia Perry, Back - Abi Whitehouse, Brian O’Faolain, Chris Atherton and Adrian Parker - everyone else was too chicken to pose or washing their hair!

print is a breeze - compara- some of the region’s biggest at the same time seeing the our first ever What’s On tively! We’d be up all night theatres. Birmingham and Midlands’ en- Readers’ Awards. preparing the magazine for the “Both the Birmingham Hippo- tertainment scene develop as a What’s On is now making its printers. It had to be printed out drome and Wolverhampton brand too,” says Martin. “And presence felt across various into columns of text and then Grand theatres were on board plenty has happened these last platforms. As well as the six had to be physically pasted from day one,” Martin recalls, thirty years, from the arrival of magazine titles - Birmingham, with cow gum on to printing “and they’ve advertised every Birmingham Royal Ballet and Wolverhampton, Stafford- sheets. It was a hugely labori- month since. It goes without the opening of Symphony Hall shire, Warwickshire, Worces- ous, time-consuming task. By saying how much we’ve appre- in the early days through to any tershire and Shropshire - we the time we’d finished, we ciated their support. And the number of major refurbish- now have one of the best enter- needed matchsticks to keep our ongoing support, of course, of ments and redevelopments of tainment websites in the Mid- eyes open! each and every one of our other our local theatres. We’re very lands. And our significant “It sounds like a real pain but regular advertisers.” proud to have been there growth on Twitter, with 60k looking back, it was a fantasti- As the years passed, the stable throughout, supporting and followers in Birmingham and cally enjoyable time. And we of What’s On titles increased. promoting Birmingham and the over 150k across the whole re- even managed a couple of Where once there was one, now Midlands as a vibrant hub of gion, is phenomenal. claims to fame. We were the there are six. top-quality entertainment.” We will soon be moving to new first publishing company in the “It’s been an amazing experi- offices in Birmingham’s UK to pioneer the desktop pub- ence growing our brand while An exciting future Southside district too, in addi- lishing package QuarkXPress, Thirty years on and still going tion to retaining our Shrews- and one of the first to use an strong indeed. And the future’s bury base. This is a truly apple mac - before they were fa- looking bright too, as the maga- exciting era for the Midlands’ mous!” we needed zine’s Editorial Director, Davina entertainment scene. It’s ex- panding and developing all the matchsticks to keep Evans, explains. “It’s a really Fantastic support time, and we’re very happy to our eyes open exciting time for us right now, From the word go, the maga- “ and in 2016 we’ve got some ex- be playing our part every step zine enjoyed the support of ” citing new developments - like of the way.” What’sOn

whatsonlive.co.uk 49 Competitions January .qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:21 Page 1 The List Cover Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 19:08 Page 1

Your week to week listings guide January 2016 thelist PeterPan at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Sun 24 January

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

What’s On Fri 1 to Sun 10 Jan Mon 11 to Sun 17 Jan Mon 18 to Sun 24 Jan Mon 25 to Sun 31 Jan

Partikel & String Quartet The Circus of Horrors: Carnevil The Legend of King Arthur Tattoo Freeze at Telford at The Hive, Shrewsbury at Lichfield Garrick at The Place, Oakengates International Centre, Shropshire Sat 9 January Tues 12 January Sun 24 January Sun 31 January

whatsonlive.co.uk 51 The List 1-10 Jan - Region 2 FINAL VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 21:54 Page 1

thelist THROUGHOUT January PETER PAN Starring the Chuckle PHOENIX - CREATED BY Brothers and John Altman, until Sun Visual Arts WOLVERHAMPTON'S SCHOOL CHILDREN Theatre 24 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand School student in Wolverhampton Theatre has been invited to decorate a feath- LOVE FOR LOVE Selina Cadell makes MEDALS OF THE MOMENT An exhibition er to become part of a glorious her RSC directorial debut with of 8 of the best contemporary art phoenix which will be on display, Congreve's restoration comedy medallists working today, until Sat 30 until Thu 31 Mar, Bilston Craft where love for love is stronger than Jan, Twenty Twenty Gallery, Much Gallery, Wolverhampton Wenlock, Shropshire love for money, until Fri 22 Jan, The MENTAL SPACES An ongoing project Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon WINTER CURIOSITIES Unusual artworks containing work produced by local WENDY AND PETER PAN Join Wendy, - tiny matchbox art, recycollages, artists affiliated to the Asylum Art Peter, Tink and Captain Hook in Ella wood engravings and stained glass, Gallery, until Sat 2 Apr, Light House Hickson's acclaimed re-telling of JM until Sat 30 Jan, Twenty Twenty Media Centre, Wolverhampton Gallery, Much Wenlock, Shropshire Barrie's classic children's story, until MINER’S TOOLS A range of equipment Sun 31 Jan, Royal Shakespeare SOUND MATTERS; EXPLORING CRAFT used over the years by miners to Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon AND SOUND A Craft Council touring extract coal, until Sun 10 Apr, The QUEEN ANNE Helen Edmundson's exhibition - seven contemporary Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, gripping new play exploring the little works from a range of creative disci- Stoke-on-Trent plines, until Sat 6 Feb, known story of a monarch caught WENDY RAMSHAW’S ROOM OF DREAMS between friendship and duty. Natalie ALADDIN Starring Marti Pellow, Julian Wolverhampton Art Gallery Clary, Lee Mead, Matt Slack and An installation made up of many Abrahami directs, until Sat 23 Jan, CONFECTED, BORROWED AND BLUE...AN parts, from small jewels in frames to The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- Andrew Ryan, until Sun 31 Jan, INSTALLATION BY PAUL SCOTT Birmingham Hippodrome large, freestanding furniture, until Avon Exhibition organised by the Holburne Sun 22 May, Birmingham Museum & ROBIN HOOD & MARIAN Theresa Museum, until Sun 7 Feb, The Art Gallery Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Heskins' staging of the well known A BIG BANG: THE ORIGINS OF THE POP Stoke-on-Trent Sherwood Forest adventure, featur- ART COLLECTION, PART 2 Andy ing on-stage magic and original OLD WIVES’ TALES: MIGRATION Warhol’s legendary 1968 Campbells music, until Sun 31 Jan, New Vic JOURNEYS OF BANGLADESHI WOMEN TO Soup Can and the iconic maquette of Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme THE UK Photographic exhibition which a statue of King Kong - originally ROBIN HOOD & BABES IN THE WOOD gives a unique insight into the lives commissioned in 1972 for display in Fun and frolics as two well known of young Bangladeshi women who Birmingham’s Bull Ring - take pride stories are fused together for some came to Birmingham between the of place in this sure-to-be-popular post Christmas entertainment, Sat 9 - 1960s and 1980s, until Sun 7 Feb, exhibition of Pop Art, until Sat 13 Sat 30 Jan, Theatre On The Steps, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Aug, Wolverhampton Art Gallery Bridgnorth, Shropshire ENCHANTED DREAMS The first ever BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY exhibition to be dedicated to Pre- IN 130 YEARS The story of the Raphaelite artist Edward Robert Museum & Art Gallery, told via a spe- Hughes, until Sun 21 Feb, cial anniversary exhibition, until Thurs Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 1 Sept, Birmingham Museum & Art WOLVERHAMPTON SOCIETY OF ARTISTS Gallery Biennial exhibition with a diverse ANGLO-SAXON KINGDOM OF MERCIA range of styles, mediums and sub- Featuring pieces from the world- ject matter, until Sat 27 Feb, famous Staffordshire Hoard, until Sat Wolverhampton Art Gallery 1 Oct, The Potteries Museum & Art TREASURE! DISCOVERING THE Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent STAFFORDSHIRE HOARD Interactive THE GREAT WAR Dramatic displays exhibition telling the story of how the bringing to life the period between Staffordshire Hoard was found and 1914 and 1918, until Sun 11 Nov saved for the nation, until Sat 12 Mar, 2018, Dudley Museum & Art Gallery Bilston Craft Gallery FIRST WORLD WAR REPLICA TRENCH FITTING IN AND GETTING ALONG Outdoor First World War replica Through personal stories, film and a trench system installed next to the selection of objects the exhibition Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in the explores the life stories of members city centre. Giving visitors an atmos- of the Birmingham Polish community, pheric and thought-provoking under- until Wed 23 Mar, Birmingham standing of the conditions experi- Museum & Art Gallery enced by soldiers on the battlefields, MINTON ARCHIVE An interactive exhibi- until Sun 11 Nov 2018, The Potteries tion of some of the museum’s Minton Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- pieces, until Sun 27 Mar, The Trent Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent

A Big Bang: The Origins Of The Pop Art Collection, Wolverhampton Art Gallery

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Friday 1 - Sunday 10 January

anniversary. Programme includes Classical Music works by Strauss, Vaughan Williams, Verdi & Walton', Thurs 7 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham JOHANN STRAUSS GALA The Johann HALLE ORCHESTRA: A VIENNESE CELE- Strauss Dancers and Orchestra BRATION Featuring Jamie Phillips return with a brand new show for (conductor) & Malin Christensson 2016 with irrepressible showman (soloist), Fri 8 Jan, Victoria Hall, Rainer Hersch at the helm, Fri 1 Jan, Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Hall, Birmingham JOSHUA BELL AND THE ACADEMY OF ST CBSO: THE MAGIC OF VIENNA MARTIN IN THE FIELDS Programme Conducted by Stephen Bell & featur- includes works by Dvorak, ing tenor Noah Stewart, the CBSO’s Beethoven, Schumann & Brahms, annual Viennese evening features Sat 9 Jan, Symphony Hall, favourites from Strauss, Suppe & Birmingham Lehar, Sun 3 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO: SCHUMANN’S PIANO CONCERTO Featuring Mirga Gražinyt -Tyla (con- ductor) & Beatrice Rana ė(piano). Programme includes works by Debussy, Schumann & Sibelius, Sun 10 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Comedy Gigs

ALFIE MOORE, JAMIE SUTHERLAND, MICKY P. KERR & BRENNAN REECE Thurs 7 Jan, The George Hotel, Lichfield, Staffordshire GARY DELANEY, FREDDY QUINN & CERYS CBSO: HENRY V Edward Gardner con- NELMES Fri 8 Jan, Katie Fitzgerald's, ducts the CBSO and CBSO Chorus Stourbridge in the first in a series of concerts to celebrate Shakespeare's 400th GARY DELANEY Sat 9 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove

The Ben Poole Band play Lichfield Guildhall on 9 Jan

Birmingham CAMERON PRICE AND Gigs ALI CLINTON Wed 6 Jan, FRIENDS Sat 9 Jan, The The Robin, Bilston Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford THE ULTIMATE ROCK THE SIMON AND BORN IN THE EIGHTIES Birmingham PARTY: GIN ANNIE BAND GARFUNKEL STORY Sat 9 Jan, The River Fri 1 Jan, The Robin, Thurs 7 Jan, Regent @WHATSONBRUM Rooms, Stourbridge Bilston Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent WHO'S WHO Sat 9 Jan, KING PLEASURE & THE REM TRIBUTE STIPE Wolverhampton The Robin, Bilston BISCUIT BOYS Sat 2 Jan, Thurs 7 Jan, The @WHATSONWOLVES Artrix, Bromsgrove Robin, Bilston BEN FOGLER Sat 9 Jan, Havana Republic, THE GLENN MILLER THE JOHNNY CASH Shropshire Shrewsbury ORCHESTRA Sat 2 Jan, ROADSHOW Fri 8 Jan, @WHATSONSHROPS Symphony Hall, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE BEN POOLE BAND Birmingham KINGS OV LEON Fri 8 Sat 9 Jan, Lichfield staffordshire Guildhall, Staffordshire THE ROD STEWART Jan, The River Rooms, @WHATSONSTAFFS EXPERIENCE Sat 2 Jan, Stourbridge FUTURE Sun 10 Jan, O2 The River Rooms, NEARLY DAN Fri 8 Jan, Academy, Birmingham Worcestershire Stourbridge The Robin, Bilston @WHATSONWORCS JOE SEAGAR Sat 2 Jan, TOM FORBES Fri 8 Jan, Havana Republic, The Talbot, Pershore warwickshire Shrewsbury VIN GARBUTT Fri 8 Jan, @WHATSONWARWICKS TOM FORBES Sat 2 Jan, Lichfield Guildhall, The Red Man, Staffordshire Kidderminster PARTIKEL & STRING PASADENA ROOF QUARTET Sat 9 Jan, The ORCHESTRA Wed 6 Jan, Hive, Shrewsbury New Vic Theatre, THE JOHNNY CASH Newcastle-under-Lyme ROADSHOW Sat 9 Jan, ALIEN ANT FARM, INME & Regent Theatre, Stoke- THE DIRTY YOUTH Wed 6 on-Trent Jan, O2 Institute,

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Sun 24th January THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR Time: 7.30pm

Tue 2nd February PG CIRCUS OF HORRORS Time: 7.30pm

Fri 5th February ALL STAR SUPERSLAM WRESTLING Time: 7.30pm

Fri 12th & Sat 13th February THE RETURN OF NEVERLAND Time: 7.30pm, Sat Mat 2.00pm

Thu 10th March 14+ KATHERINE RYAN Time: 8.00pm

18+ Sat 12th March ROY CHUBBY BROWN Time: 7.30pm

Tue 15th March SALLY MORGAN Time: 7.30pm

Thu 17th March A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING Time: 7.30pm

Fri 18th March ELO AGAIN Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 01041

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thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 January ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Ice Skate Film Birmingham makes a welcome return to the city centre, Fri 1 - Sun 10 Jan, Centenary Square, Birmingham INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: BREWERY & COUNTRY PUB TOUR BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS (U) The Scheduled and chartered day trips to magical children’s classic. Stars the Cotswolds from Stratford-upon- Angela Lansbury. Sat 2 Jan, Artrix, Avon, Fri 1 - Sat 30 Jan, Alcester, Bromsgrove Warwickshire THE BIG KNIGHTS (U) From the makers SEGTREK Segwaying trail around the of Peppa Pig comes the adventures of grounds of Chirk Castle, Fri 1 Jan - Sir Boris (the finest swordsman in the throughout the year, Chirk Castle, world), Sir Morris (not the finest Powys swordsman in the world but the most enthusiastic) and their noble pets, Sir Horace the Dog and Sir Doris the Hamster. Sat 2 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire

NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Released Fri 1 Jan, showing at selected cinemas. THE DANISH GIRL (15) JOY (12a) The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe shows at The REP until 16 Jan SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE (15) LES MEPRIS (15) WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT Stage Theatre adaptation of Michael Rosen & Helen Released Fri 8 Jan, showing at Oxenbury’s popular picture book. selected cinemas. Expect catchy songs, interactive THE HATEFUL EIGHT (18) HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL New produc- scenes and plenty of hands-on A WAR (18) tion of the smash-hit musical come- adventures, until Wed 13 Jan, DEER FEEDING Get closer to the fallow dy, until Sat 2 Jan, New Alexandra Birmingham Town Hall BOLSHOI BABYLON (PG) deer as the wardens feed them in the Theatre, Birmingham PARTISAN (15) winter months. Fri 1 Jan - Sun 13 Mar, Attingham Park, Shrewsbury TREASURE ISLAND Scott Ritchie & See Film section for previews on p38 BOA present an original adaptation CHRISTMAS IN SPACE Fri 1 Jan - Mon of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic 28 Mar, Thinktank at Millennium tale, until Sun 3 Jan, The Old Rep Point, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Events SCIENCE OF SOUND See Symphony ALADDIN Traditional family pan- Hall transformed into an interactive tomime, written by and starring sound laboratory, Fri 1 Jan - Fri 17 Malcom Stent, until Sun 3 Jan, FESTIVE SEASON SERVICE Until Sun 3 Jun, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Solihull Arts Complex Jan, Severn Valley Railway, JOG OFF YOUR JUMPER Family fun-run, Kidderminster PETER PAN Starring Jonathan Wilkes Sun 3 Jan, Attingham Park, and Christian Patterson - don’t miss LET'S SKATE SOLIHULL Solihull’s first Shrewsbury the chance to see Staffordshire’s ever outdoor Christmas ice rink, Until NEW YEAR'S WINTER WARMER Join the biggest and brightest pantomime! Sun 3 Jan, Mell Square Shopping first train service of 2016 on Sunday until Sun 3 Jan, Regent Theatre, Centre, Solihull 3 Jan, with two return trips available - Stoke-on-Trent THE GREAT CANADIAN CIRCUS For the taking you along the scenic Churnet SNOW WHITE Jeremy Edwards stars first time ever, The Great Canadian Valley Line and steeply graded as The Prince in a festive tale where THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE Circus brings their unique daredevil Cauldon Branch to Ipstones Loop, evil and vanity battle youth and inno- WARDROBE CS Lewis' timeless classic show to Birmingham, Fri 1 - Sun 3 Churnet Valley Railway, Stoke-on- cent beauty, until Sun 3 Jan, The - a perfect festive treat, until Sat 16 Jan, Star City, Birmingham Trent Place, Oakengates, Telford, Jan, The REP, Birmingham Shropshire PUSS IN BOOTS Presented by perform- JACK AND THE BEANSTALK until Sun 3 ing arts students, Tues 5 Jan, The Jan, Lichfield Garrick Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- DICK WHITTINGTON Evolution Trent Pantomimes presents an all-time ONLY FOOLS AND 3 COURSES Expect an family favourite, until Sun 10 Jan, evening of chaos and mayhem - with Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury extra large portions of comedy and extra tasty portions of food cooked by Lichfield's favourite chef, Simon Smith, Thurs 7 - Sat 9 Jan, Lichfield Garrick ROBIN HOOD & BABES IN THE WOOD Fun and frolics as two well-known stories are fused together for some post-Christmas entertainment, Sat 9 - Sat 30 Jan, Theatre On The Steps, Bridgnorth, Shropshire THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR Oddsocks brings the English legend to life via an 'exciting, interactive and action-packed winter treat for all the JACK AND THE BEANSTALK THE family’, Sun 10 Jan, Artrix, ROCK'N'ROLL PANTO until Sun 10 Jan, Bromsgrove Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Ice Stake Birmingham is at Centenary Square until 10 Jan whatsonlive.co.uk 55 The List 1-10 Jan - Region 2 FINAL VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:22 Page 5

JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Tue 12th Jan, 7.30pm THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS The latest incarnation ‘Welcome to the Carnevil' is set in Victorian London in 1899, a show ruled by the undead and climaxing in an awesome flaming apoca- lypse.

Wed 13th Jan, 7.45pm CHRISTINE TOBIN A Thousand Kisses Deep New arrangements of Leonard Cohen songs. Her unique interpretations make an inspired celebration of the legendary Canadian singer, songwriter and poet. Tickets: £12

Sat 16th Jan, 7.30pm UPTOWN FUNK LIVE! A live tribute to Bruno Mars but also a blend of the great- est old skool Soul & Funk Classic's! The show features guest artist Rihanna (tribute) and the super funky sounds of DJ Mylez! Tickets: £17.50, £14

Sat 16th Jan. 11am & 2pm THE ELVES AND THE SHOWMAKERS

A Derby Theatre & Big Window Theatre Company production A tale of magic and mis- chief perfect for ages 3 - 7 and their family & friends. Tickets: £10, £7 child

Wed 20th - Sat 23rd Jan, 7.30pm LICHFIELD PLAYERS PRESENTS: DAISY PULLS IT OFF Join Daisy and her friends for hockey matches, midnight feasts,expeditions and adven- ture in this award-winning St Trinians’s style comedy. Tickets: £12 - £15

Fri 29th Jan,7.45pm THE REMI HARRIS PROJECT Regarded by many as one of the UK's Top Up and Coming Young Jazz Guitarists. Tickets: £15

Sat 30th Jan, 7.30pm FLANDERS AND SWAN Join Tim FitzHigam and Duncan Walsh Atkins as they bring you the wit and wordplay of ingenious com- edy songsmiths, Flanders and Swann. Tickets: £16

BOX OFFICE: 01543 412 121 www.lichfieldgarrick.com LICHFIELD GARRICK, CASTLE DYKE, LICHFIELD, STAFFS, WS13 6HR

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 1-10 Jan - Region 2 FINAL VERSION MM.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:22 Page 6

thelist Friday 1 - Sunday 10 January EXHIBITION Featuring works in a use different facets of humour in OPENING THIS WEEK: Visual Arts variety of media by members of their work, until Sat 16 Jan, the highly respected local art soci- Wolverhampton Art Gallery ety, until Sat 9 Jan, Dudley GUILD OF ENAMELLERS Enamels, QUBE GROUPS Opportunity for those LYNNE SAWYER & KATHERINE Museum & Art Gallery jewellery, textiles, ceramics and attending Qube workshops to have WATSON: CONTEMPORARY MAT COLLISHAW Works in sculp- wood work from local makers, their work on display in the main ART/NATURAL LANDSCAPES until ture, photography, film and instal- until Sat 16 Jan, The Willow gallery, Tues 5 - Mon 25 Jan, Qube Sun 3 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove lation, until Sun 10 Jan, The New Gallery, Oswestry, Shropshire Gallery, Oswestry, Shropshire TOM FROST: PRINTMAKER Solo exhi- Art Gallery, Walsall OSWESTRY & DISTRICT SOCIETY OF THE LIE OF THE LAND Exhibition of bition of work by Tom Frost, until WHOSE GAZE IS IT ANYWAY? ARTISTS Over forty members recent paintings by West Midlands- Sun 3 Jan, Shire Hall Gallery, Exploring the history of Arab pop exhibit works featuring landscape, based artist Shaun Morris, Wed 6 - Staffordshire culture through posters, note- portrait and abstract art, until Sat Sun 31 Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove CHRISTMAS CRAFT Paintings and books, diaries, book covers, films 16 Jan, The Willow Gallery, STILL, STILL LIFE Featuring paintings, prints, mosaics, quirky clocks, and videos, until Sun 10 Jan, The Oswestry, Shropshire photographs, textiles and installa- jewellery and ceramics, until Sun Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, THE MAGICAL WORLD OF MASKS AND tions, Sat 9 Jan - Sun 6 Mar, Shire 3 Jan, Shire Hall Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs PUPPETS Featuring masks from Hall Gallery, Stafford Staffordshire LOWRY & BERRY: OBSERVERS OF Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico HOPES + DREAMS: STATEMENTS OF EXPRESSIONS OF HUMAN FORM URBAN LIFE Works by distin- and Italy, until Sun 17 Jan, INTENT EXPLORED An exhibition fea- EXHIBITION Drawings, paintings guished artist LS Lowry and his Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery turing lettered work, in all types of and sculptures by six RBSA mem- local counterpart Arthur Berry, THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The media, by members of Letter bers and associates - Marylane until Sun 10 Jan, The Potteries 2015 interventions into the Exchange, Mon 11 Jan - Fri 12 Feb, Barfield, Brian Fletcher, John Museum & Art Gallery, Stoke-on- Garman Ryan Collection is a Parkside Gallery, Birmingham Garbutt, Roger Keeling, Jo Naden Trent selection from a substantial gift of and David Walton, until Mon 4 WINTER HERITAGE TOURS OF 'DEFENCE THROUGH THE LENS' 100 artworks donated to the gallery Jan, Weston Park, Shropshire BLAKESLEY HALL Experience one of YEARS OF DEFENCE PHOTOGRAPHY until Sun 24 Jan, The New Art Birmingham’s finest timber-framed JOANNE MASDING: SHINY SURFACE Exhibition of work by photogra- Gallery, Walsall buildings and get a unique insight AMNESTY During the course of her phers from the army, navy and EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I into the aspirations of the Tudor two-week residency, Joanne Royal Air Force, with images of TRANSFORMED BY WAR Rock Drill classes who lived and worked there. attempts to capture the glitz of the conflicts from World War One was destroyed by Epstein at the On Wednesdays and Thursdays, festive season, celebrating the through to Iraq and Afghanistan, end of 1915 and reformed into the Wed 6 Jan - Thurs 11 Feb, Blakesley overload of shiny surfaces until Sun 10 Jan, Shrewsbury truncated Torso In Metal from Hall, Birmingham attached to tinsel, baubles and Museum & Art Gallery Rock Drill, until Sun 24 Jan, The lights, until Wed 6 Jan, Airspace PUBLIC PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION THIS IS NOT A JOKE Exhibition that New Art Gallery, Walsall Projects, Stoke-on-Trent Fri 8 Jan, Tutbury Castle, looks at how contemporary artists Staffordshire DUDLEY SOCIETY OF ARTISTS

whatsonlive.co.uk 57 The List 11-17 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:32 Page 1

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58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 11-17 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:32 Page 2

thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 January Classical Music Theatre

CONSERVATOIRE RECITAL Featuring THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS: WELCOME TO Roderick Williams (baritone) & Iain THE CARNEVIL The Britain’s Got Talent Burnside (piano). Programme finalists are back on the road with a includes works by Schubert & show ruled by the undead and cli- Schwanengesang, Tues 12 Jan, maxing in an awesome flaming apoc- Adrian Boult Hall, Birmingham alypse, Tues 12 Jan, Lichfield Garrick CBSO: SCHEHERAZADE Andrew Gorley conducts the CBSO as they present three of Ravel’s musical fairytales, Thurs 14 & Sat 16 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham CBSO CENTRE STAGE: VERDI AND PUCCINI Featuring Zoë Beyers & Amanda Lake (violins), Michael Jenkinson (viola), Kate Setterfield (cello), Fri 15 Jan, CBSO Centre, Birmingham COMPLETELY BRAHMS CONSERVATOIRE CONCERT Featuring Luke Westcombe (clarinet), Tingting Yao (piano), Maria Oguren (violin) & Anna Barsegjiana (viola) & Lucy French (cello), Fri 15 Jan, Recital Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire BUGSY MALONE Presented by Mellow THE TIPPETT QUARTET Programme Dramatics, Tues 12 Jan, The includes works by Hadyn, Robert Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- Simpson & Mendelssohn Fri 15 Jan, Trent Artrix, Bromsgrove ABUELO Amahra Spence’s story, BARBER LUNCHTIME CONCERT WITH which follows the journey of a young SAVITRI GREER & RICHARD UTTLEY black woman experiencing change, Blair Dunlop plays Stafford Gatehouse on 11 Jan Programme includes works by Thurs 14 - Sat 16 Jan, The REP, Bartok, Debussy & Faure, Fri 15 Jan, Birmingham Jan, O2 Institute, SUPREME QUEEN Sat 16 The Barber Institute, Birmingham Birmingham Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove Gigs NEW ENGLISH ORCHESTRA AND THE NEW ROMANCE, BILL CADDICK Sat 16 SINGERS 40TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION IVORY WAVE, GEORGE Jan, Birchmeadow BLAIR DUNLOP Mon 11 CONCERT This last concert of the sea- WILSON, OAK STREET & Centre, Broseley Jan, Stafford son features works by Mendelssohn, BEYOND THE BAY Fri 15 Gatehouse Theatre LISBON Sat 16 Jan, Strauss & Charpentier, as well as Jan, O2 Academy, The Sugarmill, Stoke- Scottish folk & spiritual music, Sat 16 KASAI MASAI Wed 13 Birmingham on-Trent Jan, Birmingham Town Hall Jan, New Vic Theatre, BESIDE ALL HOPE Fri 15 Newcastle-under-Lyme MAZ MITRENKO BAND WURLITZER THEATRE ORGAN CONCERTS Jan, The Rainbow Sat 16 Jan, Katie Sun 17 Jan, The Buttermarket, AVERSIONS CROWN Wed Venues, Birmingham Fitzgerald's, Shrewsbury 13 Jan, The Rainbow LEGEND - LEGENDS OF Stourbridge Venues, Birmingham DVORAK AT TWILIGHT The programme ROCK Fri 15 Jan, The THE YOUNG Sat 16 Jan, comprises Cypresses' for String PHOENIX RISING Wed 13 River Rooms, The Rainbow Venues, Quartet; String Quintet Op97 & String Jan, The Robin, Bilston Stourbridge Birmingham Sextet Op48, Sun 17 Jan, Maidment HENRY ROLLINS: CHARMINGLY OBSTI- CHRISTINE ROBIN Wed THINK FLOYD Fri 15 Jan, CLUB BERLIN Sat 16 Hall, Shrewsbury School NATE EUROPEAN TOUR Henry Rollins 13 Jan, Lichfield The Robin, Bilston Jan, The River Rooms, visits, complete with an uncompro- Garrick, Staffordshire ONE NIGHT OF ELVIS: LEE Stourbridge mising attitude towards spoken-word THE JOHNNY CASH 'MEMPHIS' KING Sat 16 SMALL FAKERS Sat 16 performances and journalism, Fri 15 ROADSHOW Thurs 14 Jan, New Alexandra Jan, The River Rooms, Comedy Gigs Jan, Birmingham Town Hall Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Stourbridge BEYOND THE BARRICADE Recreating Theatre, Birmingham SYNERGY Sat 16 Jan, THE MODFATHERS Sat 16 ELLIE TAYLOR, JOHN ROBERTSON & original West End/Broadway musical LIMEHOUSE LIZZY Thurs Havana Republic, Jan, The Robin, Bilston DALISO CHAPONDA Thurs 14 Jan, hit songs, Fri 15 Jan, New Alexandra 14 Jan, Foxlowe Arts Shrewsbury Bramall Music Building, Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Centre, Leek MC NUTCRACKER’S SPEC- THE BRUNO SHOW - A TRE BIRTHDAY BALL Sat KEVIN HART Fri 15 Jan, Barclaycard THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKERS A THE SIMON AND GAR- TRIBUTE TO BRUNO 16 Jan, O2 Institute, Arena, Birmingham new production of the popular FUNKEL STORY - 50TH MARS Sat 16 Jan, Birmingham ADAM HESS, KIERAN BOYD & TOMMY Brothers Grimm fairytale, fusing live ANNIVERSARY TOUR Lichfield Garrick, ROWSON Fri 15 Jan, The Courtyard, music, puppetry, physical storytelling Thurs 14 Jan, The RAT PACK LIVE Sun 17 Staffordshire Hereford and plenty of elf magic, Sat 16 Jan, Robin, Bilston Jan, Artrix, Bromsgrove Lichfield Garrick ELKIE BROOKS Sat 16 ANDREW LAWRENCE Sat 16 Jan, The TROPE & DISTRICTS BLACK DYKE BAND Sun Jan, Stafford Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton SNOW CHILD Tutti Frutti & York Thurs 14 Jan, Hare & Gatehouse Theatre 17 Jan, Symphony Theatre Royal present a magical STEPHEN K. AMOS Sat 16 Jan, The Old Hounds, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham story about family, love and the Rep Theatre, Birmingham KEVIN DONALDSON FROM TURNOVER, TEEN BRAINS power of dreams, Sun 17 Jan, mac, THE MURMUR Thurs 14 & CLAWS Sun 17 Jan, Birmingham Jan, Katie Fitzgerald's, The Rainbow Venues, RED RIDING HOOD - THE PANTO Join Stourbridge Birmingham Little Red as she endeavours to BEYOND THE BARRICADE BRAVADO - TRIBUTE TO escape the clutches of the evil Squire Fri 15 Jan, New RUSH Sun 17 Jan, The Bullymore’s orphanage in this Alexandra Theatre, Robin, Bilston Appletree production inspired by the Birmingham popular Brothers Grimm tale, Sun 17 Jan, Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South JAMIE LAWSON Fri 15 Shropshire

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thelist Monday 11 - Sunday 17 January Events

PERFORMANCE CAR SHOW With iconic brands like Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Aston Martin and Porsche, Thurs 14 - Sun 17 Jan, NEC, Birmingham EXCALIBUR COMPUTER FAIR Computer The Clive Beardsmore Gift shows at New Art Gallery until 24 Jan goods at trade prices, Sat 16 Jan, National Motorcycle Museum, FIONA BANNER - SCROLL DOWN AND Solihull Visual Arts KEEP SCROLLING Text pieces, draw- AUTOSPORT INTERNATIONAL Cars, stars ings, sculptures and films, until Sun and action, Sat 16 - Sun 17 Jan, 17 Jan, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham NEC, Birmingham THIS IS NOT A JOKE Exhibition that JACQUES NIMKI: SEEN/UNSEEN A new BBL CUP FINAL Two of the top teams looks at how contemporary artists permanent installation featuring more in UK Basketball go head to head for use different facets of humour in their than 300 barely visible works refer- work, until Sat 16 Jan, The Revenant this coveted prize, Sun 17 Jan, encing plant drawings, until Sun 17 Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham Wolverhampton Art Gallery Jan, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham GUILD OF ENAMELLERS Enamels, jew- THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 ellery, textiles, ceramics and wood interventions into the Garman Ryan work from local makers, until Sat 16 Collection is a selection from a sub- Film Jan, The Willow Gallery, Oswestry, stantial gift of artworks donated to Shropshire the gallery, until Sun 24 Jan, The NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: OSWESTRY & DISTRICT SOCIETY OF New Art Gallery, Walsall Released Fri 15 Jan, showing at ARTISTS Featuring landscape, portrait EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I TRANSFORMED selected cinemas. and abstract art, until Sat 16 Jan, BY WAR Rock Drill was destroyed by The Willow Gallery, Oswestry, CREED (12a) Epstein at the end of 1915 and Shropshire reformed into the truncated Torso In THE REVENANT (15) THE MAGICAL WORLD OF MASKS AND Metal from Rock Drill, until Sun 24 ROOM (15) PUPPETS Featuring masks from Jan, The New Art Gallery, Walsall MIDLAND CLOCK AND WATCH FAIR Sun IP MAN 3 (15) Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico and 17 Jan, National Motorcycle Italy, until Sun 17 Jan, Shrewsbury See Film section for previews on p38 Museum, Solihull Museum & Art Gallery

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 11-17 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:34 Page 4

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE ARENA THEATRE TICKETS FOR OUR SPRING 2016 SEASON ARE NOW ON SALE!

3rd February at 7.30pm 5th February at 8.00pm 6th February at 1.30pm 6th Februaryat 7.30pm

RINKOO BARPAGA JEAN TOUSIANT'S THE NOSE THAT JUICE COMEDY AM I FUNNY? ROOTS AND HERBS NOBODY PICKED CLUB

Tickets £10, £8 conc. Tickets £20, £18 conc. Tickets £5 Tickets £12

11th February at 7.30pm 12th February at 7.30pm 13th February at 7.30pm 25 February at 7.30pm

SONG OF BERT + LEARNED LIFE AND TIMES OUTSIDEYE: SEMMERSUAQ FRIENDS OF THE TAT MAN LACK

Tickets £10, £8 conc. Tickets £5 Tickets £10, £8 conc. Tickets £10, £8 conc.

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thelist Monday 18 - Sunday 24 January Classical Music Theatre

CBSO SERENADE TO MUSIC Featuring AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HADFIELD The Michael Seal & Simon Halsey (con- twenty-first century’s most famous ductors), the CBSO Youth Chorus, astronaut reflects on his career, Tues CBSO Children’s Chorus & sixteen 19 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham soloists from UK conservatoires, THE SOUND OF MUSIC New production Programme includes works by of the timeless family musical, Tues Grainger, Vaughan Williams & Judith 19 - Sat 23 Jan, Regent Theatre, Weir, Thurs 21 Jan, Symphony Hall, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham MALCOLM STENT IN THE AFTERNOON, JONATHAN ANTOINE Re-arranged date Wed 20 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex for the classically trained tenor, Thurs 21 Jan, Bramall Music Building, AUSTENTATIOUS A new musical which Birmingham University follows a theatre group’s journey as they unwittingly butcher Jane MUSICAL PORTRAITS: LECTURE RECITALS Austen’s classic novel, Pride And WITH KEN HAMILTON Programme Prejudice, Wed 20 - Thurs 21 Jan, includes works by Chopin, Liszt, Lichfield Garrick Ireland & Debussy, Fri 22 Jan, The Barber Institute, Birmingham COMPLETELY BRAHMS CONSERVATOIRE CONCERT Featuring Jung Yoon Cho (violin), Nafis Umerkulova (piano), Naoko Senda (violin), Ruri Kuroda The Corrs play Genting Arena on 19 Jan (cello) & Yenting Wang (piano), Fri 22 Jan, Recital Hall, Birmingham THE COUNTERFEIT NAHKO AND MEDICINE Conservatoire Gigs STONES Fri 22 Jan, FOR THE PEOPLE Sat 23 Artrix, Bromsgrove Jan, The Slade Rooms, SINGALONG WITH THE CBSO: HAYDN'S Wolverhampton THE CREATION Featuring Simon Halsey THE CORRS Tues 19 ONE NIGHT OF ROCK Fri THE NOTEBENDERS Sat (conductor) & the CBSO Chorus, Sun Jan, Genting Arena, 22 Jan, New Alexandra 23 Jan, Symphony 24 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Hall, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM PHILHARMONIC ORCHES- CANCER BATS Fri 22 JEREMIH Tues 19 Jan, TRA CONCERT Programme includes DAISY PULLS IT OFF Award-winning St Jan, O2 Academy, O2 Institute, works by Sullivan, Gounod, Trinian’s-style comedy presented by Birmingham Birmingham Ponchielli, Suppe & Coates, Sun 24 the Lichfield Players, Wed 20 - Sat 23 DELANO MILLS AND IN THIS MOMENT Fri 22 Jan, Bramall Music Building, Jan, Lichfield Garrick STRICTLY NOT JAZZ Tues Jan, O2 Institute, Birmingham University THE SNOWMAN Stage show based on 19 Jan, The Jam Birmingham Raymond Briggs' popular children's House, Birmingham OCEAN COLOUR SCENE book, Wed 20 - Sun 24 Jan, The REP, MICHAEL SCHENKER'S Fri 22 Jan, Irish Centre, Birmingham TEMPLE OF ROCK Wed Birmingham Comedy Gigs LADY LUST Using pornography and 20 Jan, The Robin, DEFINITELY MIGHTBE & her own sex life as a starting point, Bilston ADORED Fri 22 Jan, LEE HURST Fri 22 Jan, Solihull Arts Sarah Hamilton Baker investigates SEYES Sat 23 Jan, THE PITMEN POETS Wed The River Rooms, Complex and also Sun 24 Jan, Artrix, what it means to be a woman in the Prince Of Wales 20 Jan, Stafford Stourbridge Bromsgrove twenty-first century, Thurs 21 - Sat 23 Centre, Cannock Gatehouse Theatre CREEDANCE Jan, The REP, Birmingham THE STARVING RASCALS CANCER BATS Wed 20 CLEARWATER REVIEW & THE BOY WHO BIT PICASSO Hands-on Sat 23 Jan, The River Jan, The Sugarmill, THE RAINBREAKERS Fri family show introducing one of the Rooms, Stourbridge Stoke-on-Trent 22 Jan, The twentieth century’s most influential Roadhouse, B’ham ERADIKATOR Sat 23 Jan, artists through the eyes of a young MALC STENT IN THE O2 Academy, B’ham boy, Fri 22 - Sat 23 Jan, Newhampton AFTERNOON THE SUPERSKAS Fri 22 Wed 20 Arts Centre, Wolverhampton Jan, Solihull Arts Jan, The Robin, Bilston G2 - DEFINITIVE GENESIS THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKERS Complex MINUS THE BEAR & AERO Sat 23 Jan, The Robin Brothers Grimm fairytale fusing live DAUGHTER FLYNN Fri 22 Jan, The QUADROPHENIA NIGHT - Wed 20 Jan, music, puppetry, physical storytelling Sugarmill, Stoke-on- DJ DREW STANSALL (THE O2 Institute, B’ham and plenty of elf magic, Sat 23 Jan, Trent SPECIALS), THE THE EDUARDO NIEBLA Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton-upon- ATLANTICS & THE COP- DUO Wed 20 Jan, New THE COUNTERFEIT Trent STONES Sat 23 Jan, PERS Sat 23 Jan, O2 Vic Theatre, Newcastle- FREEZIN’ Black Country panto from Artrix, Bromsgrove Academy, Birmingham under-Lyme Fizzog Productions, Sat 23 Jan, BEFORE THE DAWN Sat RICHARD DIGANCE Thurs ABBA MANIA Sat 23 Jan, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham New Alexandra 23 Jan, Lichfield 21 Jan, Artrix, THE LEGEND OF KING ARTHUR Theatre, Birmingham Garrick, Staffordshire Bromsgrove Oddsocks present an 'exciting, inter- THREE BLIND MICE Sat THE ELVIS YEARS Thurs active and action-packed winter treat 23 Jan, Katie 21 Jan, The Roses for all the family’, Sun 24 Jan, The Fitzgerald’s, Theatre, Tewkesbury Place, Oakengates, Telford Stourbridge BACK TO BACHARACH KEITH JAMES Sat 23 Thurs 21 Jan, New STEPHEN BAILEY Fri 22 Jan, The Old Jan, Brewhouse Arts Alexandra Theatre, Post Office, Burton-upon-Trent Centre, Burton upon Birmingham Trent JOEL DOMMETT, GARY TRO, BEC HILL & AYNSLEY LISTER BAND CHRIS PURCHASE Fri 22 Jan, Lichfield ANDY MILLS Sat 23 Thurs 21 Jan, The Garrick, Staffordshire Jan, Havana Republic, Robin, Bilston Shrewsbury COMEDY IN THE MET Sat 23 Jan, BEN SMITH Thurs 21 Stafford Gatehouse Theatre Jan, Katie Fitzgerald’s, LIFESIGNS Sun 24 Jan, Stourbridge The Robin, Bilston KEN DODD Sun 24 Jan, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

62 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 18-24 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:38 Page 2

Monday 18 - Sunday 24 January Film Visual Arts

INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: ECO-CRAFT EXHIBITION An exhibition showcasing designer makers with an STEAMBOAT BILL, JR. (U) Buster ethical approach to craft-making, Keaton delivers his most famous Mon 18 Jan - Sat 7 May, RBSA stunt in this 1928 silent-movie Gallery, Birmingham favourite about the accident-prone captain of a paddle steamer. Sun 24 ASSEMBLED DREAMS: A HISTORY OF Jan, Electric Cinema, Birmingham BUILDING TOYS Sat 23 Jan - Sat 5 Mar, Wolverhampton Art Gallery SUNSET SONG (15) An adaptation of Lewis MATHÉ SHEPHEARD ARBSA A semi- Grassic Gribbon’s abstract approach that explores a classic novel, telling variety of landscapes, including the tale of a farmer’s skies, mountains, water, contours daughter coming of and textures, until Sat 23 Jan, RBSA age immediately prior to World War Gallery, Birmingham One. Stars Agyness Deyn & Peter THE CLIVE BEARDSMORE GIFT The 2015 Mullan. Old Market Hall, Shrewsbury, interventions into the Garman Ryan Fri 22 - Thurs 28 Jan The Monster Energy Arenacross Tour takes place at Genting Arena, 23 - 24 Jan Collection is a selection from a sub- stantial gift of artworks donated to NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: THE MONSTER ENERGY ARENACROSS the gallery until Sun 24 Jan, The New TOUR Two nights of indoor motocross Art Gallery, Walsall Released Fri 22 Jan, showing at Events racing and freestyle MX action, Sat EPSTEIN'S ROCK DRILL I TRANSFORMED selected cinemas. 23 - Sun 24 Jan, Genting Arena, BY WAR Rock Drill was destroyed by THE 5TH WAVE (12a) AN EXPERIENCE WITH... ARNOLD Birmingham Epstein at the end of 1915 and SCHWARZENEGGER A black-tie dinner THE BIG SHORT (15) BURNS SUPPER A special homage to reformed into the truncated Torso In event which sees Arnie interviewed Metal from Rock Drill, until Sun 24 OUR BRAND IS CRISIS (15) Scottish poet Robert Burns, com- on stage by a yet-to-be announced Jan, The New Art Gallery, Walsall RIDE ALONG 2 (12a) celebrity host, Thurs 21 Jan, plete with traditional Scottish food International Convention Centre and entertainment, Sat 23 Jan, FLINCK IN FOCUS Marking the 400th THE LAST DIAMOND (tbc) (ICC), Birmingham Churnet Valley Railway, Froghall, anniversary of Govert Flinck’s birth, LOST IN KARASTAN (15) Staffordshire until Sun 24 Jan, The Barber GHOST TOURS OF ASTON HALL, Sat 23 Institute, Birmingham See Film section for previews on p38 Jan, Aston Hall, Birmingham

JANUARY 2016 BROMSGROVE’S THEATRE, CINEMA, LIVE MUSIC AND COMEDY VENUE

Sat 9th January Sun 10th January Sun 17st January GARY DELANEY THE LEGEND OF KING THE RAT PACK THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT ARTHUR TOP TRIBUTE TO FRANK GARY FANTASTIC FAMILY SHOW SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN & FROM ODDSOCKS SAMMY DAVIS JNR

Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd Sun 24th January Sun 31st January January LEE HURST WHITNEY HOUSTON THE COUNTERFEIT COMEDY SHOW NO 9 LIVE EXPERIENCE STONES WITH NYA KING TWO NIGHTS OF FRAUD ROCK

FORTHCOMING CINEMA: Spectre (12A) // Brooklyn (12A) // The Lady In The Van (12A) // Burnt (15) // Bridge Of Spies (12A) // Pride (15) Carol (15) // By The Sea (12A)

FORTHCOMING SCREENINGS: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (NT Live) // La Traviata (ROH Live) // As You Like It (NT Live) // The Magic Flute (ENO Live) The Car Man (Matthew Bourne) // Giselle (Royal Ballet Live)

Download the Artrix brochure on www.artrix.co.uk @artrixarts www.artrix.co.uk or phone 01527 577330 @artrix arts centre Artrix, Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Free parking on-site

whatsonlive.co.uk 63 The List 25-31 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:40 Page 1

ELKIE BROOKS GATEHOUSE THEATRE Sat 16 Jan Quite simply one of the most JANUARY & FEBRUARY successful and popular singers the UK has ever produced. HIGHLIGHTS Performing some of her classic hits, blues and jazz, an electric evening with Elkie is guaranteed 12 - 16 January, 7.30pm to leave you begging for more. 2.30pm Sat Mat Elkie is a stunning performer Mellow Dramatics presents: and whatever she does, she Bugsy Malone does it best live. Don't miss the Tickets £12, £10 (Tues eve & Mat) chance to see a truly great artist 7.30pm, £24 in action. THE PITMEN POETS GATEHOUSE THEATRE 23 January, 2pm Derby Theatre & Big Window: Wed 20 Jan The Elves and the Shoemaker Tickets £6, £20 Family

23 January, 7.45pm 7.30pm, £17.50 The Madhouse presents: The Pitmen Poets celebrate the songs, Kieth James in Concert humour and culture of North East England's Coal Mining tradition, Tickets: £12 adv, Otd £14 bringing together four of the region's leading champions of its musical heritage. With archive footage and photographs, this is a journey through the centuries of a once-great industry, from the songs that saw it thrive and dominate, to those that saw its demise and the resulting aftermath. 3 February, 12.30pm Literature At Lunchtime - Film & Talk with NT LIVE: LES LIAISONS 12a Dr Jane MacKay DANGEREUSES GATEHOUSE THEATRE Of Mice And Men Tickets: £6 Thu 28 Jan Following the hugely success- ful broadcasts of Coriolanus and King Lear, National Theatre 4 February, 8pm Live brings the Donmar Warehouse’s highly anticipated Justin Moorhouse new production of Les Liaisons 7pm, £12.50 ‘Destiny Calling’ Dangereuses to cinemas. Directed by Josie Rourke (Coriolanus), the cast includes Elaine Tickets: £18 (16+) Cassidy (The Paradise), Janet McTeer (The White Queen) and Dominic West (The Wire).

CARL HUTCHINSON 12 February, 7.30pm THE MET STUDIO Gerard Logan Fri 29 Jan Wilde About The Boy In this show, Carl contemplates Tickets: Pay what you think it is worth what exactly he’s brought to the table of life and why he’s even asking such questions at the age of 27. Between doing 16 - 20 February, 7.30pm his job as a comedian and 6.30 Wed, 2.30pm Thu & Sat Mat, being a lifelong fan of 8pm, £10 Burton Amateur Stage Entertainers: wrestling, he hasn't really done The Sleeping Beauty that much. Carl explains his love of wrestling and how it’s remained the one constant from childhood to adulthood. £11, £10 (Conc) £36 Family Attempting to escape the strict parameters of stand-up and wrestling, how can he improve the CV of such a sheltered exis- tence? 25 February, 8pm DAVID O’DOHERTY 14+ The Noise Next Door Tour: GATEHOUSE THEATRE Noise In The Hood Sat 30 Jan Tickets £13 David O’Doherty, the Lidl Enya, the broken Bublé, is delighted to pres- ent an evening of talking and songs played on a stupid keyboard from 26 February 12.30pm 1986. Life is like a box of choco- lates, but one where somebody else The Madhouse presents: has eaten all the chocolates. And Lowri Evens replaced them with mouse heads and dishwasher tablets. 8pm, £16/£14 concs Tickets: £10 adv, Otd £12

THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD 3+ GATEHOUSE THEATRE 27 February, 7.45pm Thu 4 & Fri 5 Feb Fausturs Following hot on the heels of The Gruffalo’s monstrous success Tickets: £12 adv, Otd £14 comes The Gruffalo’s Child - with attitude! Just how brave is she? Find out for yourselves by joining her at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre. The Gruffalo said that no Thu 4,1.30pm, Gruffalo should ever set foot in Fri 5, 10.30am and 1.30pm the deep dark wood...One wild £11.50 and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he? Brewhouse Arts Centre, Union Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE14 1AA BOOKONLINE Box office: 01283 508100. Box Office 01785 619080 www.brewhouse.co.uk www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

64 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 25-31 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:40 Page 2

thelist Monday 25 - Sunday 31 January Classical Music Dance

LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH WBS PARTNER PRIMARY’S DANCE THOMAS TROTTER Programme com- FESTIVAL: STEPPING UP Showcase of prises music from Bizet’s Carmen, work presented by William Brookes Mon 25 Jan, Symphony Hall, School & Encore, Tues 26 - Wed 27 Birmingham Jan, The Edge Arts Centre, Much NICOLA BENEDETTI: SZYMANOWSKI Wenlock, South Shropshire Lahav Shani conducts, Wed 27 Jan, ZOORESIDENCE SHOWCASE: NURSERY Symphony Hall, Birmingham RHYMEZ: REMIXED Showcase of work MORICOSTA STRING TRIO Featuring - the culmination of in-school dance Lucy Baker-Stockdale (violin), Steven residencies, Wed 27 Jan, Grand Burnard (viola) & Jessica Burroughs Theatre, Wolverhampton (cello), Wed 27 Jan, New Vic BRENDAN COLE - A NIGHT TO Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme REMEMBER The Strictly star presents CHINA INSTITUTE CHINESE NEW YEAR an evening of ballroom magic and CONCERT Special concert featuring Di Latin excitement, Fri 29 Jan 2016, The Libertines at Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham on 27 January Xiao (piano), Jiaxin Lloyd Webber Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (cello) & Jiafeng Chen (violin), Thurs Stourbridge Leek 28 Jan, Bramall Music Building, Gigs WHITESNAKE UK, PURE RODERICK WILLIAMS & Birmingham University PURPLE & THE SUSIE ALLAN Sat 30 CBSO SMOOTH CLASSICS Featuring BLACKMORE LEGACY Fri Jan, Ludlow Assembly Michael Seal (conductor), Oliver THE TEMPERANCE 29 Jan, The Robin, Rooms, Shropshire James (clarinet) & Zoe Beyers (vio- MOVEMENT Mon 25 Jan, Bilston PAUL JONES & DAVE lin). Margherita Taylor presents. O2 Institute, B’ham THE REMI HARRIS PROJ- KELLY ACOUSTIC DUO Programme includes works by MUTEMATH Tues 26 Jan, ECT Fri 29 Jan, Lichfield Sat 30 Jan, Number 8 Barber, Vaughan Williams, Pachelbel, O2 Academy, B’ham Garrick, Staffs Community Arts Mozart, Albinoni, Elgar, Tchaikovsky & Dvorak, Fri 29 Jan, Symphony THE LIBERTINES Wed 27 Centre, Pershore STARK Fri 29 Jan, Katie Hall, Birmingham Jan, Barclaycard Fitzgerald’s, EASTWOOD Sat 30 Jan, Arena, Birmingham Stourbridge Katie Fitzgerald’s, MUSICAL PORTRAITS: LECTURE RECITALS WITH KEN HAMILTON VOODOO GLOW SKULLS Stourbridge CHOTTO DESH Akram Khan Company FLESH, RELEASE, THE Programme includes works by Liszt, Wed 27 Jan, The Slade present an adaptation of their own TORCH & ARCADIA Fri 29 THE CLASSIC ROCK Ravel & Merrick/Stephenson, Fri 29 Rooms, 2011 work, DESH. For children aged Jan, The Sugarmill, SHOW - TOP 20 Jan, The Barber Institute, B’ham Wolverhampton Stoke-on-Trent GREATEST GUITAR RIFFS seven-plus and their families, Fri 29 - RODERICK WILLIAMS & SUSIE ALLAN IN JEREMY LOOPS Wed 27 OF ALL TIME - LIVE! Sat Sat 30 Jan, DanceXchange, LET’S TWIST AGAIN Fri CONCERT Programme comprises the Jan, O2 Institute, 30 Jan, Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome 29 Jan, Solihull Arts late Schubert song-cycle Birmingham Town Hall ANTON AND ERIN Sat 30 Jan, Complex Schwanengesang, Sat 30 Jan, Symphony Hall, Birmingham GRIEVED Wed 27 Jan, THE SENSATIONAL 60'S BOOTLEG ABBA & BEE Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Ludlow The Rainbow Venues, GEES FEVER Sat 30 Jan, EXPERIENCE Sat 30 Jan, NIGEL KENNEDY Presents an acoustic Birmingham The Robin, Bilston Wolverhampton Grand version of the Verdi’s Four Seasons, BILLY WALTON BAND Theatre THE WEEKEND ANTHEMS Sun 31 Jan, Symphony Hall, B’ham Wed 27 Jan, The JASON DERULO Sat 30 Sat 30 Jan, The River Robin, Bilston Jan, Barclaycard Rooms, Stourbridge THE SYD LAWRENCE Arena, Birmingham GUTS FOR GLORY, ORCHESTRA Wed 27 T.REXTASY Sat 30 Jan, SOUTHFALL, EVIL EMPIRE Jan, Solihull Arts Artrix, Bromsgrove & ARAMANTUS Sat 30 Complex Jan, The Slade Rooms, T'PAU FEATURING CAROL Wolverhampton BARRON KNIGHTS Thurs DECKER Sat 30 Jan, 28 Jan, Solihull Arts Theatre Severn, THE SULTANA BROS Sat Complex Shrewsbury 30 Jan, Ludlow Brewery, South PENTANGLE Thurs 28 Shropshire Jan, The Robin, Bilston TIMES SQUARE BAND Sat INTERIOR CASTLE Thurs 30 Jan, Havana Comedy Gigs 28 Jan, Katie Republic, Shrewsbury Fitzgerald’s, Stourbridge BENJI KIRKPATRICK AND DAVE GORMAN Tues 26 Jan, Theatre JANIE MITCHELL Sun 31 Severn, Shrewsbury FROM THE JAM - SOUNDS CARMEN Olivier Award-winning Jan, Henry Tudor AFFECTS TOUR II Fri 29 OperaUpClose present a new ISY SUTTIE Tues 26 Jan, The Slade House, Shrewsbury Jan, The Buttermarket, English version of Bizet's wildly pop- Rooms, Wolverhampton Shrewsbury ular opera, Sun 31 Jan, Theatre CARL HUTCHINSON Fri 29 Jan, Stafford Severn, Shrewsbury Gatehouse Theatre EVIL SCARECROW Fri 29 MASSIVE ATTACK Sat 30 Jan, The Slade Rooms, Jan, O2 Academy, SIMON BLIGH, JO ROMERO, HARRY Wolverhampton Birmingham STACHINI, MATT HOBS & JONNY EMMETT Fri 29 Jan, National Brewery Centre, MAYDAY PARADE Fri 29 VIVA NEIL DIAMOND Sat Burton-upon-Trent Jan, O2 Institute, 30 Jan, Solihull Arts Birmingham Complex DAVID O'DOHERTY Sat 30 Jan, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre MARTYN JOSEPH Fri 29 AWAKE BY DESIGN, Jan, Theatre Severn, WOUNDED CROSS, MARK STEEL Sat 30 Jan, Ludlow Shrewsbury ENGRAVED DISILLUSION, Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire WHITNEY HOUSTON LIVE MINUS THE BEAR Fri 29 CELESTIAL WISH & STEWART LEE Sun 31 Jan, EXPERIENCE FEATURING Jan, O2 Academy, WITHOUT GRACE 30 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre NYA Sun 31 Jan, Artrix, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham Bromsgrove MIKE GUNN, ADAM ROWE, ANTHONY J THE SMYTHS Fri 29 Jan, TIM O'BRIEN Sat 30 Jan, BROWN & DAN NIGHTINGALE Sun 31 The River Rooms, Foxlowe Arts Centre, Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury

whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 25-31 Jan - REGION 2 FINAL VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 18/12/2015 20:41 Page 3

thelist Monday 25 - Sunday 31 January MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS The world- Theatre famous circus presents the Russian folklore story of Cvetik-Semicvetik, Thurs 28 Jan, Symphony Hall, YIZKOR Sue Moffat’s powerful drama- Birmingham documentary provides a powerful THE GREAT GATSBY Presented by testimony to the effects of prejudice Blackeyed Theatre, Thurs 28 - Sat 30 and discrimination. This event marks Jan, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Day, Mon 25 Jan, New Vic ROBINSON CRUSOE AND THE PIRATES Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme Thurs 28 - Sun 31 Jan, Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Starring Diana Vickers as Janet and Ben LET’S TWIST AGAIN Popular musical Freeman as Brad, Mon 25 - Sat 30 set in an American diner and featur- Jan, New Alexandra Theatre, ing the music of Elvis, Dusty, Buddy, Birmingham Petula and more, Fri 29 Jan, Solihull Arts Complex FREE FOR ALL Choice, control and the death of post-war utopia are explored in Richard O’Brien’s darkly comic verse-play, Fri 29 Jan, mac, Birmingham CAPTAIN HOOK’S REVENGE A punk fairy called Tonkerbell and a poisoned cake present an alternative angle on Tattoo Freeze at Telford International Centre on 31 Jan JM Barrie’s classic tale, Fri 29 - Sun Birmingham, Wed 27 Jan - Sun 3 31 Jan, The Belfrey Theatre, Apr, Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Wellington, Shropshire Events THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Don’t Go Into The Cellar VITALITY NETBALL SUPERLEAGUE presents a one-man homage to the Netball heroes get ready to start the ENTERTAINING ANGELS Richard world’s greatest detective, Sat 30 season with a bang, Sat 30 Jan, Everett’s sharp-edged bittersweet Jan, Lichfield Garrick Genting Arena, Birmingham comedy, which moves between adul- tery, divorce and deception, Mon 25 - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Amateur CANDLEMAS Music food and candle- Sat 30 Jan, The Rose Theatre, production of Andrew Lloyd light in the medieval Great Hall, Sat Kidderminster Webber’s critically acclaimed musi- 30 Jan, Hartlebury Castle, cal, Sat 30 - Sun 31 Jan, The Place, Kidderminster PRIVATE LIVES Tom Chambers and Oakengates, Telford Charlotte Ritchie star in this major TATTOO FREEZE From live tattooing revival of Noël Coward's hilarious CHINESE NEW YEAR Featuring an array and music to children's entertainment of Chinese acrobatics and kung fu, and workshops, Sun 31 Jan, Telford DINH Q LÊ Video installation, organ- masterpiece, Mon 25 - Sat 30 Jan, ised in collaboration with Artangel, Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent Sun 31 Jan, Wolverhampton Grand International Centre, Shropshire Theatre Wed 27 Jan - Sun 3 Apr, Ikon Gallery, TNA WRESTLING The Maximum Impact Birmingham Tour 8, Sun 31 Jan, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham KELLY MARK: 108 LYTON AVE Opposite but asymmetrical roles performed by CAMPER MART One-day VW buying the artist for a split-screen projection, Film extravaganza, Sun 31 Jan, Telford Wed 27 Jan - Sun 3 Apr, Ikon Gallery, International Centre, Shropshire Birmingham LAURA LANCASTER Laura draws her INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: inspiration from forgotten and dis- SUNSET SONG (15) An adaptation of carded photographs and home Lewis Grassic gribbon’s classic movies, Fri 29 Jan - Sun 8 May, The novel, telling the tale of a farmer’s New Art Gallery, Walsall daughter coming of age immediately JAN VANRIET: THE MUSIC BOY A hugely prior to World War One. Stars influential painter and poet from Agyness Deyn & Peter Mullan. Stoke Belgium, Jan has exhibited widely Film Theatre, Tues 26 Jan across the world, yet this is his first HECTOR (15) Hiding from his past, exhibition in the UK, Fri 29 Jan - Sun Hector makes the motorway rest 8 May, The New Art Gallery, Walsall stops of Britain his home, but he can’t hide forever... Stars Peter A WORLD TO WIN: POSTERS OF PROTEST AND REVOLUTION From the A BEAUTIFUL ENDING Haunting but Mullan. Stoke Film Theatre, Thurs 28 V&A’s collection, showcasing the funny account of how Mohamed El Jan work of diverse artists, graphic Khatib came to terms with the loss of designers and print collectives, Sat his mother, Tues 26 - Wed 27 Jan, 30 Jan - Sun 10 April, The REP, Birmingham NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Wolverhampton Art Gallery MACBETH Following their acclaimed collaboration on Medea at the Released Fri 29 Jan, showing at Visual Arts National Theatre, Carrie Cracknell selected cinemas. and Lucy Guerin present 13 HOURS: THE SECRET SOLDIERS OF DAVID TEDHAM ARBSA Series of Shakespeare’s supernatural tragedy, BENGHAZI (tbc) abstract paintings by artist David Tues 26 - Sat 30 Jan, The REP, THE 33 (12a) Tedham, Mon 25 Jan - Sat 12 Mar, Birmingham RBSA Gallery, Birmingham CAPTURE THE FLAG (PG) NEW WORK NIGHTS: LIGHT Nightmarish JANET MENDELSOHN - VARNA ROAD DIRTY GRANDPA (12a) tale of love, betrayal and technologi- This exhibition, in collaboration with cal power, inspired by Edward SPOTLIGHT (15) the University of Birmingham, fea- Snowden’s revelations and the ensu- YOUTH (15) tures original prints from ing debate on state surveillance, Mendelsohn’s archive of over 3,000 BACKTRACK (15) Thurs 28 Jan, Old Rep Theatre, photographs taken predominately in Birmingham See Film section for previews on p38 the Balsall Heath area of

66 whatsonlive.co.uk From The Jam (Buttermarket) FP.qxp_Layout 1 17/12/2015 14:47 Page 1 grand_whatson FP JAN:Layout 1 11/12/2015 14:30 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

TUE 2 - SAT 6 FEB TUE 9 - SAT 20 FEB SUN 21 FEB

The National Theatre Production

J.B. Priestly’s Classic Thriller

Directed by Stephen Daldry

THU 25 - SAT 27 FEB TUE 8 - SAT 12 MAR TUE 15 - SAT 19 MAR

Music by STEVEN MARGOSHES Lyrics by JAQUES LEVY Book by JOSE FERNADEZ Based on a concept by David DeSilva (Title song “Fame” written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore) This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LTD. ON BEHALF OF MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL OF NEW YORK

SUN 20 - TUE 22 MAR SAT 26 MAR THU 31 MAR THE RUSSIAN STATE BALLET OF SIBERIA THE SNOW MAIDEN Sleeping Beauty Swan Lake

HHHHH “Mesmerising” The Guardian

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