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Birmingham Cover Online.qxp_Birmingham Cover 01/11/2016 11:17 Page 1

Your FREE essential entertainment guide for the Midlands ISSUE 371 NOVEMBER 2016

Birmingham ’

BILLY CONNOLLY WhatFILM I COMEDY I THEATRE I GIGS I VISUAL ARTS I EVENTSs I FOOD On birminghamwhatson.co.uk - THE BIG YIN OUT ON TOUR

inside:

Yourthe 16-pagelist week by week listings guide Contents November Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 18:38 Page 1 Contents November Birmingham.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 15:44 Page 1

November 2016

Contents

Vamos Cuba! - Nilda Guerra’s new show set to get audiences on their feet... page 19

Pride And Prejudice Anoushka Shankar Craft & Hobby Fair the list

Matthew Kelly stars in Jane themes of movement, asylum four distinct shows for the price Your 16-page Austen classic at The REP and refugees at Symphony Hall of one at the NEC week-by-week listings guide Interview page 8 page 14 page 47 page 51

inside:

4. First Word 11. Food 14. Music 20. Comedy 24. Theatre 39. Film 43. Visual Arts 47. Events

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Managing Director: Davina Evans [email protected] 01743 281708 ’ Sales & Marketing: Lei Woodhouse [email protected] 01743 281703 Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704 Whats On Matt Rothwell [email protected] 01743 281719 Editorial: Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 MAGAZINE GROUP Sue Jones [email protected] 01743 281705 Brian O’Faolain [email protected] 01743 281701 Abi Whitehouse [email protected] 01743 281716 Ryan Humphreys [email protected] 01743 281722 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Rhian Atherton [email protected] 01743 281726 Contributors: Graham Bostock, James Cameron-Wilson, Heather Kincaid, David Vincent, Katherine Ewing, Lauren Cox Publisher and CEO: Martin Monahan Accounts Administrator: Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is produced without the use of elemental chlorine. We endorse the recycling of our magazine and would encourage you to pass it on to others to read when you have finished with it. All works appearing in this publication are copyright. It is to be assumed that the copyright for material rests with the magazine unless otherwise stated. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in an electronic system, transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recording or otherwise, without the prior knowledge and consent of the publishers. FIRST WORD November B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:10 Page 1

First Word

Jodie Prenger to star in Willy Russell classic One of the country’s favourite stage actresses is set to star in a 30th anniversary stage revival of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine when it visits Birmingham early next year. Jodie Prenger shot to fame in I’d Do Anything, a TV series which searched for an unknown actress to star as Nancy in a West End revival of Lionel Bart’s musical, Oliver! The touring production of Shirley Valentine will show at the New Alexandra Theatre from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 February. Commenting on the revival, Willy Russell said; “It’s now 30 years since Shirley Valentine first walked onto the page, into my life and the lives of so many others. “When producer Adam Spiegel introduced me to Jodie, I knew in an instant that here was a formidable actress; one who pos- sessed the grit and the warmth, the drive and the vulnerability, the energy and the heart to make Shirley Valentine really live again. How could any playwright resist that, or deny the whole of the UK the chance to see Jodie bring Shirley to life?” Tickets for the New Alexandra Theatre performances of the show are available via atgtickets.com/Birmingham or by ring- ing 0844 871 3011.

Something to SHOUT Assay Office silver on Theatre production offers about in Birmingham show at antiques fair platform to Brum’s young The Birmingham Assay Office, where hall- showbusiness hopefuls Birmingham’s annual celebration of queer marks are applied, is making a significant arts & culture makes a welcome return this contribution to next month’s Antiques For Young people from Birmingham are set to month. Everyone Winter Fair at the city’s NEC (1-4 take centre stage this month when they star SHOUT Festival is taking place at venues December). in a brand new theatre production. across the city for an eighth year, showcas- A number of items from a beautiful range of Mirrors & Makeup - The Musical will provide ing ‘the best of queer performance, theatre, silver, inspired by the Arts & Crafts second-city youths with the chance to show- visual arts and film from around the UK and Movement and manufactured in Birmingham case their talents and develop skills which beyond’. in the late 19th and early 20th century, will will prove useful to them in adult life. “The event launches with the outrageous go on show at the fair in a feature exhibition. The project has been organised by local Miss Behave’s Gameshow,” says SHOUT The items form part of the Assay Office’s pri- record label GT's Records. Steering Group Chair Neil Anderson, “a vate collection. Commenting on the initiative, the label’s renegade gameshow for the austerity genera- Commenting on the exhibition, Mary Claire director and founder, Grantley Haynes, said: tion. The festival then offers the best in live Boyd, Antiques For Everyone’s Winter Fair “This is a fantastic opportunity for the tal- performance, theatre, music, comedy, Director, said: “We’re delighted to have this ented young individuals who’ve approached cabaret, visual arts, talks, film, workshops opportunity to see one of the Assay Office’s us in the past to enter the entertainment and events at some of the city’s most promi- private collections. This exhibit will allow us industry, which is a tough and extremely nent arts venues. all to celebrate the Arts & Crafts Movement, competitive business. It’s given the young “We close on 20 November, Trans Day of and to delve into the historic connections it people that I, and many of my colleagues, Remembrance, with the return of our free has with Birmingham.” have previously mentored a way to prove to and ever-popular community event, SHOUT themselves that they’re made of tough stuff. Out, at mac Birmingham, which will include It gives them something they can say is their performances and activities throughout the own. That in itself is really exciting to see.” day. Mirrors & Makeup - The Musical examines “The closing performance of the festival will some of the key social issues that can com- be the award-winning Big Girl’s Blouse, a promise the development of a young person, show that explores what being transgender such as unemployment, youth crime, sub- was like in the 1970s.” stance misuse, bullying and prejudice. SHOUT Festival takes place at venues across The show takes place at South & City College the city from Thursday 10 to Sunday 20 in Digbeth on 12 November. November. Tickets cost £8 and can be purchased at For more information, visit gtsrecords.co.uk. shoutfestival.co.uk

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Entertainment news from around the region

World-renowned New Birmingham REP season to toy store comes to explore ‘shared experiences’ the Midlands Universal stories and shared experiences will be explored Famous toy shop Hamleys has across Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s three stages in the opened its first store in the West venue’s spring-summer season of shows. Midlands. The Centenary Square-located theatre’s recently The shop opened late last month at announced programme features a number of not-to-be- Resorts World Birmingham, to coin- missed highlights, including the UK premiere of What’s In cide with the latter’s first birthday. Hamleys joins Resorts’ numerous A Name?, a razor-sharp comedy starring Nigel Harman and other attractions, including 50 outlet Sarah Hadland. stores, 18 bars and restaurants, an Reggae legend Bob Marley’s inspirational music is brought 11-screen cinema with IMAX, a luxu- to the stage in One Love: The Bob Marley Musical - another ry spa, a state-of-the-art casino and UK premiere - while local football fans put themselves in a boutique hotel. the spotlight in the premiere of Mohamed El Khatib’s Stadium. The season also features a new adaptation of ER Brathwaite’s To Sir, With Love, which is being presented at The REP 50 years after the release of the film version starring Sidney Poitier and a young Lulu. Commenting on the new season, The REP’s artistic director, Roxana Silbert, said: “This season, we focus on stories about bringing people together. From a whole country united through Bob Marley’s music in One Love to individuals united by their love of football in Stadium; from a teacher and his pupils looking for acceptance in To Sir, With Love to a loving family whose unity rapidly unravels in What’s A festive gift of a In A Name?” Other shows featuring in The REP’s new season include fair celebrates its Sally Cookson’s visually stunning staging of Fellini’s Oscar- 21st birthday winning masterpiece, La Strada, and award-winning West The annual Festive Gift Fair at End comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong Birmingham’s NEC is this year celebrating its 21st anniversary. Described by its organisers as ‘a colourful Aladdin’s cave’, the fair features thousands upon thousands of Christmas presents, providing vis- Messiah by the Youth project celebrates local music itors with the chance to sew up all city’s choir An exhibition highlighting the city’s musical heritage opens in their festive gift buying in a single day. The City of Birmingham Birmingham this month. As well as all the presents, attrac- Choir’s annual perform- The result of a project entitled Our Musical Roots, coordinated by tions at this year’s show include a ance of Handel’s magnifi- the Birmingham Music Archive and local urban arts company City giant inflatable snowglobe, a talking cent choral masterpiece, Of Colours, the exhibition was created by young people in three letterbox, three giant-sized stockings underprivileged areas of the city - Highgate, Digbeth and Lozells. full of goodies to be won, a new Messiah, is a well-established element of the Commenting on the project, which has also included the creation of line-up of live music and the ever- two murals, unveiled last month, Jez Collins, founder of popular Santa & The Dame. Midlands’ festive music Birmingham Music Archive, said: “Birmingham’s impact on the The Festive Gift Fair takes place at scene. It’s next month per- global music industry is criminally overlooked in comparison to the NEC from Thursday 10 to Sunday formed by the choir along- cities like Manchester and Liverpool, yet Birmingham has a rich, 13 November. side the CBSO, at For more information, visit fes- diverse and sustained history of music activity. The roots of reggae Symphony Hall on 2 tivegiftfair.co.uk dig deep, four blokes from Aston conquered the world and spawned December. heavy metal in the process, and the city is home to the centre of In a Christmas nutshell - England’s Asian music industry. It’s so important to keep this histo- and as the choir itself ry alive and to celebrate, preserve and embrace it. Projects like this describes it - the work are vital in inspiring young ‘compresses the Old people to be proud of their Testament prophesies of musical roots, to create their Jesus’ life into two-and-a- own music and to pass it half hours and sets it to down for generations to timeless and sublime come.” music’. The Our Musical Roots exhibi- As re-tellings of the tion shows at Muthers Studio Christmas story go, this is in Digbeth on Thursday 17 one that’s definitely well November. worth hearing. whatsonlive.co.uk 5 FIRST WORD November B'ham.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:10 Page 3

First Word

It’s all about the BASS... Coffee, cake and The UK’s only Black Arts commissioning festival is live music at the once again taking place in Birmingham this New Alex month (various venues, Thursday 10 to Monday 28 November). The New Alexandra Theatre BASS Festival is now over 10 years old and returns has launched a weekly coffee, in 2016 with the theme of Hip Hop 360. cake and live music event, A celebration of the full spectrum of hip-hop cul- taking place every Friday ture, the event will cover everything ‘from music from 11am to 3pm. to graffiti’ and the global impact of the genre. Students from Birmingham “BASS started as a result of conversations with Conservatoire will provide the young people, particularly from Afro Caribbean music. communities,” explains the festival’s chief execu- Commenting on the new ini- tive officer Ammo Talwar MBE. “What we wanted tiative, Lisa Mart, general to do as an arts company was create something manager of the New Alex, that would connect young people to mainstream said: “We’re thrilled to launch arts organisations through a commissioning this brand new event, where process. We wanted to commission new work, customers can listen to quali- individuals, producers, to create something that ty music whilst enjoying a connected their art form to the broader arts com- cuppa in the beautiful sur- munity. That was the idea in theory. The first cou- roundings of our Piano Bar.” ple of years, we were making it up as we went along, but over the years, it really has become a defined part of Birmingham’s cultural offer.” Robert Glasper Pictured opposite is Slick Rick, who makes his in Birmingham Birmingham debut at the O2 Institute on 28 November. For full details, visit bass2016.co.uk Grammy Award-winning pianist Robert Glasper takes to the stage at Birmingham Town Hall this month (Sunday 20 November). Birmingham Brum arts venue hosts dance conference The versatile Glasper, who’s recently worked with both theatre A Birmingham arts venue is this month hosting a conference focusing on Miles Davis and Kendrick dance of the ‘African diaspora’. The term is used to refer to worldwide commemorates Lamar, is joined for the gig by communities which have resulted, via descent, from the movement in scientific the Experiment band, highly historic times of people from Africa. regarded for their innovative breakthrough Re:generations 4 - Diasporic Dance: Legacies Of Imagination takes place blend of jazz, hip-hop-fuelled from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 November at mac Birmingham. Birmingham Hippodrome grooves and cutting-edge The fourth in a UK series of biennial conferences focusing on the topic, has commissioned an inno- fusion electronic sounds. the event seeks to reaffirm the country’s significant contribution to the vative new digital dance “We’re delighted to be pre- art form. film and sonic soundscape senting Robert Glasper in Among the highlights of the conference are three public performances of to commemorate the birth- Birmingham,” says Mary mixed bills, with contributors including Birmingham company ACE day of a scientific break- Wakelam-Sloan, Jazzlines Dance & Music. through. Manager at the Town Hall. For performance tickets, visit macbirmingham.co.uk/whats-on The commission is to mark “He is without doubt one of the 120th anniversary of the the world’s leading contem- first medical X-Ray per- porary artists. His recent work formed in Birmingham by An illuminating UK first at Genting Arena on the Miles Davis projects radiology pioneer Major and with Kendrick Lamar has John Hall-Edwards. Birmingham’s Genting Arena has spent £800,000 on a state-of-the-art been brilliant, and I can’t wait Entitled X-Ray: The LED lighting system to dramatically enhance the experience of watching to hear the new version of his Unknown Quantity, the film shows and events at the venue. Experiment band.” will show on digital screens The first of its kind to be installed in a UK arena, the system has the abil- in the Hippodrome’s foyers - ity to produce a multitude of colours, transforming the look and feel of and in partner venues the place. Birmingham City University Commenting on the investment, the venue’s managing director, Phil and Birmingham Children’s Mead, said: “The installation of this new colour-changing lighting sys- Hospital - to coincide with tem has really improved the quality of our lighting within the arena. It World Radiography Day. can create different atmospheres for all genres of event, making you feel X-Ray: The Unknown completely a part of the event from the minute you walk through the Quantity is launched on turnstiles until the minute you leave us. This is a unique technology that Tuesday 8 November. can’t be found anywhere else in the UK at present, and will help create an unforgettable experience for all our event-goers.”

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FEATURE

“We are all fools in love”

A new staging of Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy opens at the REP

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Playing the role of Elizabeth is Tafline funny and quick-witted, like Elizabeth. a classic novel celebrating a major an- Steen. Fresh from finishing drama school, He's very loyal, and would do anything for niversary must be in want of an adapta- Steen gets her first taste of touring theatre his daughters, but he's stayed in a mar- tion. In 2013, 200 years after the with the show. riage for way too long. I think he did love publication of Pride And Prejudice, direc- “I think if you're of a certain age and you his wife. He's now fond of his wife, but tor Deborah Bruce brought the world of live in England, you will have seen a bit of they should have parted long ago. He's Lizzie Bennet to life on stage at Regent's the Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle version terrible to her sometimes. That's why he Park's spectacular Open Air Theatre. Now, at some point,” says Steen, “but it never wants Elizabeth to be happy. He says, 'Let as we approach the anniversary of Jane really imprinted on me. I did see the Joe me not have the grief of seeing you unable Austen's death, Bruce returns with a Wright film, which I know some purists to respect your partner in life'. Because he whole new cast to embark on a nation- don't like, but I actually really enjoyed it. I knows what would happen to her. wide tour of the show, arriving at Birming- never felt the need to go back and look “One of the great disappointments to both ham REP in November. over previous productions, though. Mr and Mrs Bennet is the fact that they Of course, Pride And Prejudice has been Thanks to Deborah, there was no sense of never had a son. The reason, I think, that adapted countless times before - for better having to honour (Lizzie's) iconicism or Elizabeth is such a favourite of his and so or worse, who doesn't have the sight of other people's interpretations of her.” unpopular with Mrs Bennet is that of Colin Firth dripping from a quick dip in What's perhaps most striking about the course she should have been the boy. the lake etched forever in their minds? But Regent's Park production is how it places They had Jane, and she was loved and for the Generation Y, perhaps the not the young lovers, but the older gener- adored as the first child, but then they strongest association is with Keira Knight- ation centre stage. In highlighting the had to have a son to cut off the entail and ley and the doe-eyed Matthew McFadyen loneliness and disappointment of Mr and inherit the estate. Then they would have in Joe Wright's considerably less faithful Mrs Bennet, Bruce shows how this drives been safe. So for Mrs Bennet, Elizabeth is feature film. their differing ambitions for their daugh- a massive disappointment, and that's There'll be some who have seen and loved ters, getting to the heart of that agonising made her very strong.” the wonderful web show version, which choice between security and happiness “I think Jane Austen is very hard on Mrs updates the story for the digital age, while that the almost preposterously lucky Jane Bennet,” says Felicity Montagu, whose a tiny few of us are even nerd enough to and Lizzie are both able to circumvent. unique take on the character puts her in know the 1940 take, with all its mounds of “I think the whole play's about Mr Ben- the spotlight for perhaps the first time. hideously anachronistic fuss and frills. net, but then I always think every play I'm “She looks down on 'silly women’. I mean, Either way, you could easily be persuaded in is about me!” laughs Matthew Kelly, yes, she can be silly, but a lot of the time that by now the world has had its fill of who will be making a welcome return to she's right. Her daughters will be destitute muslin gowns, rolling estates and brood- The REP 15 years after his phenomenal if they don't get married. So she's not such ing gents. It's no small feat then, that performance in Of Mice And Men earned a fool; she's just not an educated woman. Bruce is able to make audiences look back him an Olivier Award. “I love Mr Bennet, “The relationship between Mr and Mrs on the story with fresh eyes. and audiences like him because he's Bennet is such that she doesn't really

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by Heather Kincaid

know him, so when he strikes against her someone who refused to be held back by equality is far from won. sometimes, she's really devastated. Per- convention, Austen has little patience for “A lot of women around the world still haps if she’d been in a happier marriage other women who passively accept their don't really have liberation,” says Mon- she wouldn't have put herself through so lot. On some level, her constant mocking tagu. “There's a well-educated class that much anxiety. But she was unlucky - she is perhaps also a defence against the does, but so many are still subject to what had five daughters in trying to have a son, slings and arrows of the world. But there's men say or what corporations or govern- and it made her very worked up and ill, also an extent to which she simply ments say. And there's still a disparity in and turned her into a kind of pantomime seemed unable to resist any opportunity the professions over pay and things like figure to her own husband. I think this is for a laugh, and it's this, as well as her ob- that.” very much a story about love and how vious self-awareness, that keeps us “This show has got a very big cast,” says people are often unloved - about how they hooked on her. Kelly. “There are 20 of us, the majority of work out how to live without love.” “Austen's great for theatre,” says Kelly, whom are women, which is still unusual. For all the shifting of the usual focus, this “because she writes so much in dialogue, Just the other day, there were 14 of us in is a surprisingly faithful adaptation. There so quite a lot can be lifted straight from the rehearsal room, and I looked around are necessary elisions, but essentially, the the novel. Part of the reason her dialogue and realised I was the only man. That's re- story and the dialogue ring true to is so strong and real is that the family ally, really rare.” Austen's vision. Even her razor-sharp nar- used to read her work to each other at A final word on the subject goes to Tafline ration gets a look-in, as several of the night. I guess there wasn't much else to Steen. “Not to discredit the vast strides lines that Austen uses to get inside her do!” we've made over the last 200 years, but in characters' heads are here divided out “It's such intelligent, incisive writing,” terms of this story being an exploration of among the actors. Perhaps most notably, adds Montagu. “Her characterisations are gender and self-actualisation for women, I Mrs Bennet starts and ends the play with so beautifully fledged and real. She's a think it's really on the money for a lot of the novel's iconic opening line. great painter.” the things we're still wrestling with. It “There's one of my lines that I had to do a Of course, her stories have more serious makes me sad that this is still a bit of an lot of work on because it's not really a Mrs things to tell us, too, many of which con- oddity, and I hope that doesn't continue Bennet line, so it didn't come very com- tinue to be relevant today. While the con- to be the case, but I'm glad it still res- fortably at first,” says Montagu. “She can cept of feminism wasn't readily accessible onates for people.” be very condemnatory, Jane Austen, so to Austen, it's now impossible not to read you have to be quite careful when you're in her stories the first stirrings of the actually playing a character that she does- movements that would follow - interest- Pride And Prejudice shows at The REP, n't seem to write them off completely.” ingly, it was just as Austen came of age Birmingham, from Tuesday 8 until It's true that Austen can be crueler than that Mary Wollstonecraft published her Saturday 12 November. we sometimes give her credit for, as any- radical Vindication Of The Rights Of one who's read her letters can testify. Woman. Two hundred years later, as the Partly it's a symptom of the time - as cast are well aware, the global battle for

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Food

REVIEW: Gusto, Colmore Row, Birmingham Tucking in with added Gusto

The first restaurant to open as part of the £45million redevelopment of Birmingham’s iconic Grand Hotel building, Italian eatery & wine bar Gusto’s arrival on the scene signals a sea change for Colmore Row and the surrounding district, adding renewed cache to the city’s already enviable restaurant and bar offering. Perfectly positioned at the heart of the city, just a short walking distance from New Street and Snow Hill stations, Gusto prides itself on ‘making the everyday exquisite’. It offers a well-considered menu of Mediterranean classics such as pizzas, pasta, seafood risotto and speciality burgers, combined with an extensive choice of signature sharing experience, I recommend treating vanilla ice cream at £6.25 - but be warned, meat and fish dishes. These include 28-day yourself to a deli board of cured meats or this over-generous dessert is not for the aged premium steak, Fillet of Pork fine cheeses at £7.95 per person. Each is fainthearted. Saltimbocca served with buttered mash and painstakingly sourced for quality and pre- In addition to the a la carte evening menu, masala jus, and Whole Salt Baked Sea Bass sented with an exquisite eye for detail on a Gusto also offers a set-price lunch menu, infused with lemon and Italian herbs. rustic wooden platter with a choice of rose- priced at £12.95 for two courses and £14.95 Combining classical and contemporary mary focaccia bread and marinated for three courses. Quick to capitalise on Italian influences with relaxed yet luxurious Mediterranean vegetables. Birmingham’s growing drinks culture, the city-centre surroundings, one would be Aided by a glass or two of Pino Grigio ‘Riff’ restaurant also offers a Monday-to-Friday hard-pressed to find a more fitting location (£6.50), my main course of Lobster and ‘cocktail club’, featuring over 50 signature for the aspirations of this high-end eatery prawn spaghetti in a light tomato sauce drinks, each priced at £4.95. than the soon-to-be-restored Grand Hotel (£19.25) was an absolute delight to eat. With thirtysomethings flocking from London building. Stylishly finished to evoke the cos- Succulent, beautifully sweet and infused in their thousands to set up shop in the UK’s mopolitan ambience of the ‘grand cafes’ of with an unmistakable taste of the sea, the second city, and foreign investment in European tradition, the minimalist interior freshness of the lobster combined perfectly Birmingham at an all-time high, it isn’t hard comes complete with bistro-style seating, with the lightness of the tomato and cream to see why high street chains like Gusto, The hardwood floors, exposed brickwork and sauce. The contrasting textures of spaghetti Alchemist and The Botanist are growing wise unifying ‘olive tree’, extending throughout and prawn - cooked al dente to just the right to the possibilities of contemporary Brum. the restaurant’s various rooms and connect- side of firm - proved the perfect marriage of Whether it’s an after-work cocktail, a casual ing corridors. Monochrome art prints and flavour and texture. Equally impressive was dinner-date, a light lunch or an office whitewashed walls add to the venue’s light, my partner’s choice of Roasted Lamb Rump Christmas party, Gusto’s extensive yet contemporary finish, whilst low-level period with truffle cheese ravioli and tomato sauce affordable menu and upmarket, cosmopoli- lighting, statement mirrors and stained (£18.50), accompanied by a side order of tan ambience make it a highly desirable glass-effect room-dividers pay homage to the Garlic Roasted Vine Tomatoes with spiced addition to Birmingham’s rapidly expanding bustling European cafes and capitals of old. breadcrumbs (£3.50), an intensely rich com- dining offer. Katherine Ewing Opting for an appetiser of baked rosemary bination of ingredients, infused with the true spirit of rustic Italian cuisine. focaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic Food: n n n n n vinegar (£3.95), we perused the starters Choosing from a catalogue of well-known Service: n n n n n menu. This included the classic Bruschetta dessert options, which included Lemon Ambience: n n n n n with tomato and basil, Mussels cooked with Sorbet, Summer Berry and Prosecco Jelly - Overall value n n n n n white wine and garlic and Creamed and the delightfully named Bombolini (mini OVERALL n n n n n Cauliflower soup with crispy shallots and doughnuts in orange Chantilly and chocolate chilli oil. My personal choice of Grana sauce) - the highlight of the meal came in Pandano Risotto with wild mushrooms, truf- the form of Almond Milk Panna Cotta with Gusto fle butter and pancetta (available as a starter honeycomb, flaked almonds and lemon curd Unit 10 at £7.25 or main course at £12.50) was a mas- (£5.25) - a deliciously light and zesty palate- The Grand Hotel terclass in flavour, the richness of the truffle cleanser executed with delicacy and Colmore Row butter complemented beautifully by the sub- panache. For something a little more sub- Birmingham tle smokiness of the pancetta and earthy stantial, you can’t go far wrong with the B3 2BS Tel: 0121 200 2400 notes of the mushrooms. For the perfect Nutella and Mascarpone Calzone served with

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Food

Love Wine? Then City restaurant rated check this out! amongst the world’s best Comedian Helen A Michelin-starred Birmingham eatery is the third Lederer is the best restaurant in the UK and the ninth best in the guest host at this world, according to a survey by travel company month’s Love website TripAdvisor. Wine Festival, Contemporary British fine dining restaurant Adam’s taking place at is located in the city centre’s Waterloo Street and Birmingham’s specialises in serving modern dishes created ‘to the Burlington Hotel very highest professional standard’. on Saturday 5 The venue is owned by its chef, Adam Stokes, and boasts three AA Rosettes as well as its Michelin November. star. The TripAdvisor survey used an algorithm which took into account the quantity and quality “When I got the of reviews received by restaurants across the world over a 12-month period. Adam's recorded an call from Love impressive 1,299 five-star ‘excellent’ ratings out of a total of 1,432, with a further 95 reviewers rat- Wine to party ing the restaurant as ‘very good’. with them this year, I positively flushed with excitement,” reveals Helen, who appeared in the recent big-screen version of Absolutely Fabulous. “To attend a special event Cocktails and curry at new Moseley eatery with wine lovers, erudite Masters of A Birmingham couple are responding to the menu of Indian food served tapas style. Wine as well as wine enthusiasts, is increasing number of restaurant chains open- The Kenths are opening their new bar follow- my idea of liquid heaven. 'What took ing in the city’s suburb of Moseley by launch- ing the recent arrival in Moseley of Pizza you so long?' is what I wanted to say. ing their own Indian street food and cocktail Express and Prezzo. They hope that their Instead I said, ‘Yes please!’ bar in the area. eatery will go some way towards gently shifting The festival brings together more Shivani and Ajay Kenth hope to open the doors the balance of culinary power in the area, away than 30 exhibitors who provide of Zindiya in time for Christmas. Their new from international chains and back towards between them around 250 wines to eatery will seat 90 people and offer an all-day independent bars and restaurants. sample (spitting, we’re reliably informed, is optional). Other attractions at the event include Wine Walks with ‘wine celebrities’ Cereal Killer let loose in Birmingham’s Bullring... and the opportunity to attend Love-In masterclasses, to learn about and It’s time to get, er, cerealously excited - trendy and 20 different toppings. taste a variety of different wine styles London cafe Cereal Killer is set to arrive in Arcade games and 1980s and ’90s memorabilia from around the world. Birmingham’s Bullring this month. will help give the cafe a nostalgic feel. For further information, visit Open from 8am to 8pm, the new venue will Cereal Killer’s Birmingham arrival comes on lovewinefest.co.uk serve more than 100 different cereals from the back of its enormous success in the capital, around the world, including American ones where branches were opened a couple of years with names like Kix, Trix and Superman, and ago by identical twins Alan and Gary Keery. pop-tarts and cereal cocktails. Customers can For more information, visit Whisky Festival a first also choose from 30 different varieties of milk cerealkillercafe.co.uk for Birmingham Birmingham is this month hosting its first whisky festival. The grade II listed Birmingham Health food shop to open Council House provides the backdrop for the one-day get-together, which is first all-vegan eatery being run by well-established event Birmingham's first all-vegan eatery is set to open at organisers The Whisky Lounge. the end of the month. The company has been operating The new restaurant, located in Suffolk Street since 2002 with the aim of promoting Queensway, is owned by Natural Healthy Foods, a whisky as ‘a historical and iconic vegan health food shop in the city’s Digbeth area. product of almost alchemic origins’. As well as organic vegan, gluten free, hot and raw It already runs similar events in food and raw desserts, Natural Healthy Foods Eatery Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool and will also serve, on tap, a fermented beverage of Newcastle. black tea and sugar called kombucha, a drink which Natural Healthy Foods’ shop in Digbeth Alongside the best homegrown is said to have 'extraordinary' health benefits. whiskies from all over Scotland, visi- The eatery also sells protein drinks suitable for both vegans and non-vegans, and houses a large tors to the festival can also sample a store selling fresh fruit, vegetables and everything needed for a healthy plant-based diet. good selection of drams from across Natural Healthy Foods Eatery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm and on Sundays from the world, as well as a number of 11am to 5pm. special ‘under the counter’ offerings. whatsonlive.co.uk 13 Music - November - Birmingham LF.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:03 Page 1

Gigs

Simply Red Genting Arena, Birmingham, Sun 20 November Reforming in 2015, with Mick Hucknall the only original member, British soul and pop band Simply Red have sold more than 50 million albums since their inception in the mid- 1980s. This month, they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their album, Stars, the UK best- seller for two consecutive years in 1991 and ’92. The first half of their Birmingham show features the entire album, the second a compila- tion of classic Simply Red songs. “After the huge success of A New Flame,” Hucknall recalls, “I set myself the challenge of composing a whole album of original songs. I could never have imagined that Stars would have the impact that it did. It was a truly magical time. Now, looking on after 25 years, it seems only fitting to celebrate the album by performing it in its original running order.”

Caravan Palace The Cinematic O2 Academy, Birmingham, Fri 18 November Orchestra O2 Institute, Birmingham, Wed 9 November The Cinematic Orchestra are a British nu- jazz and electronic music group created in 1999 by Jason Swinscoe, whose background in fine art inspired him to ‘trans- late visual art into audible art’. The collective includes core members Phil France on double bass, former DJ Food member Patrick Carpenter on turntables, Luke Flowers on drums, Tom Chant on saxophone, Stuart McCallum Often described as the pioneers of electro on guitar and Nick Damm on piano. swing, French seven-piece Caravan Palace The Cinematic Orchestra's sound, in both showcase a unique sound combining old- live and studio contexts, is created by a school jazz, house, hip-hop and jive. live band improvising along with a They rose to prominence in 2008 following turntablist and electronic elements, such the release of their eponymous debut album, as samples provided by Swinscoe. which charted in Switzerland, Belgium and Read our interview with Jason at what- France, and have since released a further two sonlive.co.uk. Anoushka Shankar albums: Panic (2012) and <|°_°|> (2015). Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Thurs 10 November “There was a French TV channel that wanted to do a porn show with very old black-and- Daughter of Ravi Shankar and half sister to white porn movies, which were illegal at the Norah Jones, Anoushka is an Indian sitar time,” says Arnaud Vial in recalling the player and composer. Now aged 35, she gave band’s origin, “and they wanted some new her first public sitar performance in 1995, at music to fit with it. They asked us to do the age of 13, as part of her father’s 75th something that mixed the old and the new. birthday celebration concert in New Delhi. For us, it was pretty natural to mix the two, Following the success of her 2013 album, as we were playing gypsy and old swing Traces Of You, she returns with an innova- music as well as electronic music. That’s how tive, cutting-edge programme that addresses we started.” themes of movement, asylum and refugees - Read the full interview at whatsonlive.co.uk. topics that deeply inspired her creative process whilst composing the music for recently released concept album Land Of Gold. 14 whatsonlive.co.uk Music - November - Birmingham LF.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:03 Page 2

Gig previews from around the region

Flamingods The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, Thurs 3 November

With a reputation for exploration and experimentation, five-piece ethnic- folk band Flamingods draw their inspiration from cultures around the world. They use an extensive collection of instruments acquired from Bastille the biggest-selling digital album of the year. places as far-flung as Nepal, The band then went on to be named British Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey, Japan Tues 8 November Breakthrough Act at the 2014 BRIT Awards. and Tanzania. They stop off in Birmingham this month as To say indie-pop four-piece Bastille have Originally started by Kamal Rasool in part of their Wild World world tour. had a whirlwind few years would be an late 2009 as a bedroom project, the Read the interview with band member Will understatement. Their debut album, Bad band this year released their third Farquarson online at whatsonlive.co.uk Blood, released in 2013, was twice number album, Majesty, to great acclaim. one, certified double-platinum and named

PJ Harvey Starworks Warehouse, Wolverhampton, Fri 4 November Cory Henry & Felix Riebl Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, Very much going her own way, the The Funk Apostles Sat 26 November songs and albums PJ Harvey pro- The Glee Club, Birmingham, Melbourne-based Felix Riebl is the co- duces are never anything less than Tues 1 November founder and long-time frontman of The Cat startling. Harvey has a distinctly arty Empire - an Australian ska/jazz band who’ve bent that sets her apart from girl- been performing their high-energy shows to with-noisy-guitar pretenders to her the world for over a decade. throne, producing work that’s always Riebl visits Birmingham this month in sup- refreshingly original and often dis- port of his recently released second solo concertingly challenging. album, Paper Doors. Menstruation, matricide and the hor- rors of war are all subjects which have featured in her songs. Following a critically acclaimed per- KT Tunstall formance at Glastonbury this year, Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 4 November she visits the Midlands as part of a 17-date headline tour across the UK Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall came and Europe in support of her ninth to public attention with her 2004 debut album, The Hope Six Demolition album, Eye To The Telescope. In no time at Project. Snarky Puppy member, multi-instrumental- all, she’d won both BRIT and Ivor Novello ist and producer Cory Henry uses his pri- awards, earning mary instrument, the organ, to create a Grammy and Mercury unique sound by blending the genres of jazz Prize nominations and gospel. into the bargain. Henry began touring in 2006 and has since Best known for sin- hit the road with an abundance of main- gles Black Horse And stream artists, Bruce Springsteen, Boyz II The Cherry Tree and Men and P Diddy included. Suddenly I See, she Kickstarting his career in the best possible brings her folk-rock way, with a debut release - First Steps - that sound to Birmingham went to number one on iTunes Jazz Chart, following the release his latest offering, The Revival, is his first of fifth album KIN. collaboration with The Funk Apostles.

For the complete gig guide visit whatsonlive.co.uk 15 Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:16 Page 1

FEATURE Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:16 Page 2

Cara Luft

What’s On caught up with the Juno Award-winning singer- songwriter ahead of her Midlands gig this month...

It's been 12 years since Canadian folk star Of the two songs that they prepared for sician. The contrast between the artistic Cara Luft parted ways with The Wailin the anniversary gig, just one makes it onto freedom she's enjoyed of late and her pre- Jennys and embarked upon a major solo the duo's debut album, Wondrous Trav- vious experiences with the Jennys has chapter in her career. Two acclaimed solo eler, released in February this year. The taught her the importance of giving her- albums and a whole lot of touring later, track is a delicate, dreamy, atmospheric self room to reflect, explore and make her however, and Luft has finally found her- take on 1000 Stars, written by Winnipeg's own discoveries. self back in a band with a new and some- Greg MacPherson. “I’ve missed collaborating, because I love what unexpected collaborator. We spoke “Greg is more of a kind of indie-rock guy, playing with other people and harmony to her about how a chance encounter with and he does it in quite a wacky and inter- singing, and it's nice when everything fellow Manitoban JD Edwards inspired esting way - about halfway through, he doesn't fall on one person's shoulders, but their joint venture, The Small Glories, completely changes the time signature, I don't think it's healthy to just do one which is coming to The Hive this month. and it doesn't have any harmony or thing, and the Jennys were really all-en- “There's a venue in Winnipeg called the acoustic guitar on it. Our version is obvi- compassing. There wasn't much room for West End Cultural Centre,” Cara explains, ously quite different, but I think he was different kinds of musical expression or “and about three months before its 25th really tickled pink that we'd tackled it! exploration. But with The Small Glories, anniversary, the artistic director started The second one was a Neil Young song even though this is our main focus, it's re- asking Manitoba artists who’d played called Don't Let It Bring You Down, which ally important to both of us to have our there over the years to come and play at JD had previously sung with his rock fingers in other pies, even if they're only an event. All of us were partnered with band. When we first did it, it didn't gel as very little pies. I'm still doing some solo someone we'd never worked with before, easily as 1000 Stars, partly because it was stuff and some teaching, and JD's got his with the goal of learning two songs by in both of our lower registers. We've since rock band and also does some solo work, other Manitoba artists. JD and I hadn't revisited it and swapped parts, so now I so neither of us is putting all our eggs in even heard each other sing before, so it sing the melody and JD sings the har- one basket.” was kind of crazy, but we just immediately mony, and we've upped it a little bit. It Edwards isn’t the only person Luft has realised how well our voices worked to- sounds killer now, and we'd really like to shared the project with. Other collabora- gether. I think there were about 35 artists record it for the next record.” tors include a whole host of diverse tal- involved in the project, but we kind of There's little doubt that the chance to ents, ranging from Erin Propp and Scott stole the show because we were such a spread her wings over the last few years Nygaard to British folk musician Bella natural fit.” has made Luft a much more confident mu- Hardy. Luft was initially paired with Cara Luft DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:16 Page 3

FEATURE Continued...

I've been going over to the UK at least once a year since ‘‘ 2006, so I really feel like I've got a community there, and whenever I'm on tour I love to reconnect with all the amazing people that I've met over the years...

Hardy via an exchange programme, which traditional Sacred Harp hymns - Won- ing behind bushes - all this really” lovey- resulted in the creation of two of the drous Love and The Traveler - with hurdy- dovey, fun stuff - so we weren't sure how tracks on Wondrous Traveler: Fast Turn- gurdy accompaniment from Andrew well the slower Billy Bragg version really ing World and Time Wanders On. McCrorie-Shand. A choral tradition fol- suited them. Ours is really upbeat, and it “Folk Music Canada and English Folk lowed primarily in the southern US States, always goes down really well live. We Dance & Song Society decided to partner Sacred Harp describes a kind of ‘shape recorded it pretty much live off the floor up, and the directors of those organisa- note’ singing, where musical notes are with our drummer and bass player, and it tions approached artists in their respec- printed in different shapes to help readers actually had our producer dancing in the tive countries who they thought would be identify them easily. Each of the four studio, which we figured was a good a good fit. The first part of the project hap- shapes corresponds to a sung syllable (fa, sign!” pened in Alberta. Bella flew over and we sol, la or mi). Songs are first sung through Having already covered its costs through a spent a couple of weeks together, writing using just these syllables, allowing successful crowdfunding campaign, Won- material and doing performances. We'd singers to focus their attentions on learn- drous Traveler is now available to order never met before, so it was a really inter- ing the harmonies before getting to grips online at a price of your own choosing via esting experience. Then the following with the lyrics. The Small Glories website. year, I went over to the UK and spent two “I can't even remember now how I came “We’ve been approached by several la- weeks with Bella doing the same thing. across it, but really weirdly I started bels, but weighing the options that were We've become very dear friends, so I'm re- dreaming about shape-note singing, so I given to us, it made sense to stay inde- ally grateful to Neil Pearson, who was in decided to research it and I came across pendent for the time being. I've been charge of bringing us together. He knew this beautiful documentary. The film came doing crowdfunding since the ’90s, before both of us really well and knew we would with two music discs. The first was all tra- it was even called that, and it's been a re- get along. I think we write really well to- ditional Sacred Harp groups singing the ally beautiful way of connecting with my gether too, so I'm hoping we'll get the songs, the second had artists doing their fanbase and my audience. That said, there chance to do more in the future.” own interpretations of them, and it kind are a lot of things a label can offer that The name The Small Glories, which also of blew my mind a bit. I already knew may be too time-consuming or too costly appears in the lyrics to Home, was first some of the songs, like Wondrous Love, to do on your own. Releasing this album suggested by the band’s producer, Neil Os- from my parents, who are both folk has been quite draining financially and borne, who previously worked with Luft singers, but I hadn't made the connection on a work level, and keeping on top of the on her solo album, The Light Fantastic. with this tradition before.” business side of things does take away “We'd been bouncing names around and Another pre-existing work to be radically from creativity time, so we might look into someone had suggested The Glories, but reinterpreted is Woody Guthrie's Way Over signing to a label for future projects.” we thought that sounded a little too... in Yonder In A Minor Key. A lost Guthrie After warmly received appearances at The your face, perhaps? But while we were in song for which only the lyrics survive, it Hive in 2013 and at Shrewsbury Folk Festi- the studio recording, our producer came was set to music in 1998 by Billy Bragg val in 2014, Cara is looking forward to in and said, 'I've got a name. I think it's an and Wilco as a gentle piece with more heading back here. than a touch of Bragg's trademark awesome name, and if you guys don't take “I've been going over to the UK at least acoustic melancholy. The Small Glories' it in the next five seconds, I'm gonna keep once a year since 2006, so I really feel like take transforms the song into a joyous, it for another project!' Well, we all thought I've got a community there, and whenever gospel-infused belter that's impossible it was great, and the next day we were I'm on tour I love to reconnect with all the not to dance along with. working on Home. The lyrics still needed amazing people that I've met over the some tweaking, so JD suggested putting “JD had learned it for a Woody Guthrie years.” the band name in. It just seemed to fit ex- 100th birthday concert he was asked to actly with what I was singing about.” play at, and decided to reinterpret it in a The album title, meanwhile, is taken from major key. When you look at the lyrics, it’s The Small Glories perform at The Hive, the final track, a haunting fusion of two all about chasing girls up trees and kiss- Shrewsbury, on Sunday 20 November. Classical Birmingham November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 03/11/2016 14:34 Page 1

16 whatsonlive.co.uk Classical Birmingham November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 15:47 Page 2

Classical Music

Ludovico Einaudi Ex Cathedra: Bach Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mass In B Minor Tues 22 November Birmingham Town Hall, “There is something in it that comes Sun 6 November from classical,” says Ludovico Einaudi A choral masterpiece combining moments of his own music, “but I have influences of magnificent majesty with movements from different music I’ve experienced in of utter serenity, Bach’s epic and always my life, from African music to folk and breathtaking setting of the Mass was com- rock.” posed throughout his lifetime and com- Einaudi’s sound certainly defies easy pleted shortly before his death. classification. Commentators have tried It’s presented on this occasion by Ex on for size all manner of descriptions, Cathedra Choir and Baroque Orchestra. from ‘beautifully haunting’ and ‘evoca- The well-established early music ensem- tive’ to ‘minimalist’, ‘alt-classical’, ble have based their reputation on the ‘ambient’ and ‘contemporary’. None of performance of choral music from the these quite say enough, however, about 15th century onwards, and are here con- the stylish soundscape created by a man who’s quietly become one of the most successful ducted by their ever-trusty founder, musicians in the world. Ludovico’s music is everywhere, although he remains best known Jeffrey Skidmore. for his contribution to the drama film and subsequent TV mini-series, This Is England, for which he received a BAFTA nomination. He returns to Birmingham on the back of recently released album Elements, a work inspired by, as the Turin-born composer explains, “creation myths, the periodic table, Euclid’s geometry, Kandinsky’s writings, the matter of sound, and of colour, the stems of wild grass in a meadow, the shapes of the landscape.”

The City of Birmingham Choir Elgar Concert Hall, The Bramall, University Of Birmingham, Sun 6 November Adrian Lucas conducts the City of Birmingham Choir as they present a concert designed to take their audience on a musical journey through ‘life-changing events that have shaped and influenced not just individuals, but the world as a whole’. The afternoon’s programme includes: Sir Edward Elgar’s From The Bavarian Highlands, a remembrance of a holiday the Elgars enjoyed in Upper Bavaria in 1894; Michael Tippett’s 5 Spirituals, a Kevin Volans response to Kristallnacht, the Nazi gov- ernment's violent pogrom against its Birmingham Contemporary Music Group: Jewish population; and Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes, the writing of Kevin Volans which, it’s widely speculated, was moti- CBSO Centre, Birmingham, Fri 11 November vated by his frustrated love for the wife of Internationally acclaimed pianist Barry Douglas joins Birmingham Contemporary Music fellow composer Robert Schumann. Group to present the joyfully unpredictable Kevin Volans’ Piano Concerto No 4 - the first Also included is contemporary composer Sound Investment premiere of the scheme’s 25th anniversary year. Bob Chilcott’s Five Days That Changed Once listed by BBC Music Magazine as one of the 50 most important living composers, The World, a piece which marks: the Kevin first wrote for BCMG eight years ago, creating the quiet and contemplative invention of printing (on Thursday 29 Partenheimer Project. March 1455); the abolition of slavery This eagerly anticipated second offering from the South African-born composer promises (Friday 1 August 1834); the first powered to be a substantial, high-energy and spectacular piece. flight (Monday 14 December 1903); the The concert also features the Cologne-based Signum Quartet, making their first appear- discovery of penicillin (Friday 28 ance in Birmingham to present the evening’s second world premiere, Volans’ String September 1928); and the first man in Quartet No 12. Geoffrey Paterson conducts. space (Wednesday 12 April 1961). whatsonlive.co.uk 17 Dance November.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:28 Page 1 Dance November.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:28 Page 2

Dance Dance previews from around the region

Vamos Cuba! Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 1 - Sat 5 November Acclaimed Cuban choreographer Nilda Guerra makes a return with a follow-up show to her well-received Havana Rakatan. Guerra’s aim is to celebrate her country’s youthful, modern spirit, and she does so by setting the action in Havana airport, a place where families are parted, lovers reunited, time flies when you’re having fun and, it would seem, there’s always plenty of reason to get dancing. Critics of the show have complained that it panders to tourist stereotypes, but a live band led by Julito Padron, a cast of fully energised dancers and a mix of traditional and modern dance styles ensures there’s plenty to keep the audience engaged.

Aakash Odedra: The Happiness Project Balletboyz: Echoes & I Imagine DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Rabbit and Fiction Birmingham Hippodrome, Tues 15 November Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 30 - Thurs 1 December “We’re all interested in being happy,” says Wed 16 November international dance artist Didy Veldman, BalletBoyz’ latest show has elicited all man- who here launches her own company, ner of superlatives from critics and audi- Umanoove, “and The Happiness Project ences alike since debuting in the spring. examines the idea of happiness as some- The production, performed by an all-male thing we strive for, as something fleeting, company of 10, comprises two works by something that can be very elusive or even internationally acclaimed choreographers. absent. My aim is to find a common lan- Swedish dance-maker Pontus Lidberg’s guage between the movement, the drama eccentric and stylish Rabbit comes complete and the music on stage, in my investigation with Alice In Wonderland overtones and con- of western society’s endless search for fulfil- templates loneliness and the desire for ment.” friendship. Javier de Frutos’s mischief-making Fiction is based around the responses of his dancers to Ballet Black: Triple Bill the news of his tragic death, the choreogra- Lichfield Garrick, Fri 18 November pher apparently having been impaled on a shard of his own scenery! The work includes Ballet Black were hailed as real game chang- de Frutos’s ‘obituary’, written for him by the ers when they presented this trilogy of critic Ismene Brown and gloriously narrated abstract dance works at the Barbican earlier in camp voiceover. this year. Featuring international dancers of The highly rated British Kathak dancer black and Asian descent, the company was Aakash Odedra certainly caused a stir with widely praised for its success in filling a his previous double bill, Murmur and Inked. major London venue ‘with probably the most He returns with a show that further evi- diverse audience in the history of British bal- dences his talent for blending the traditional let’, as the Guardian described it. with the contemporary. The works the ensemble presented on stage Kathak icon Aditi Mangaldas has choreo- were just as remarkable as the audience they graphed the first and more traditional piece, attracted. The centrepiece is Christopher Echoes, an exuberant work of high-octane Hampson’s Storyville. Set to the haunting dance that ‘explores our relationships with music of Kurt Weill, it tells the bittersweet our ancestors’. fable of Nola, a farm girl who falls prey to I Imagine, meanwhile, is an experimental unscrupulous characters and worldly desires work which sees Odedra teaming up with in 1920s New Orleans. award-winning poet Sabrina Mahfouz. The triple bill is completed with two more The piece cleverly combines choreography recently devised pieces - Christopher and spoken word in a contemplation of ‘the Marney’s To Begin, Begin and Cristaux, a imagined future and the confines of skin’. duet by Arthur Pita.

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Comedy

Seann Walsh Brewhouse Arts Centre, Wed 2 November; The Glee Club, Birmingham, Tue 29 November; Artrix, Bromsgrove, Tues 13 December Seann Walsh is such a popular comedian he could even give Barcelona Football Club a run for their money when it comes to the acquisition of silverware. An award-winning star of television shows such as Mock The Week and Russell Howard’s Good News Extra, the somewhat dishevelled Seann has been likened to the legendary Billy Connolly in terms of his gift for storytelling (although others have labelled him the new Dylan Moran, so take your pick). His jokes aren’t bad either, with two examples being as follows: “I don't understand swimming. You don't see fish going for a walk,” and “Are city-centre beat officers police who rap?” Seann visits the Midlands this month with his well- reviewed touring show, One For The Road, a contemplation on whether the changes happening in his life are due to his getting older or becoming middle-class.

Six of the best...

Laugh Jonathan Jerry Out Loud Pie Sadowitz Comedy Artrix, Crescent Theatre, Bromsgrove, Birmingham, Regent Theatre, Tues 8 November Fri 18 November; Stoke; Religion, Wulfrun Hall, Walsall; Couture, The media’s deci- Fri 25 November Stafford, Sat 19 sion to pounce on American-born November Jeremy Corbyn in Scottish comedian Laugh Out Loud the wake of his and magician Jerry brings quality first Labour lead- Sadowitz comes comedians to 14 venues across the country, ership victory lit the torchpaper for actor with a health warning; he is most definitely including three here in the Midlands. Tom Walker to create the larger-than-life not for the fainthearted. Two of the three are this month visited by the character that is Jonathan Pie. A man who’s not averse to hurling his under- highly rated Markus Birdman (pictured), a Recent YouTube sensation Pie is supposedly wear at female members of the audience, comedian who firmly believes that comedy a British political correspondent - but one Sadowitz is about as far away from political should always be presented live, to no more who likes to rant at the TV camera. correctness as it’s possible to get; so much than 200 people, and in a dingy club (we’re The media’s savaging of Corbyn pushed so, in fact, that he claims Bernard Manning not quite sure how he views the two Walker over the edge. “I got really annoyed was the good cop to his bad cop. Midlands venues he’s visiting this month)! by it,” he admits, “by the ridiculousness of Although he’s a man who never seems more Marcus is joined on the bill in both Walsall the British press.” at home than when he's alienating and and Stafford by Bobby Mair, Terry Burgess But the annoyance that the actor felt had the offending pretty much everyone, Sadowitz and Micky P Kerr. surprisingly positive effect of making his cre- claims a lot of thought goes into what he Meanwhile, at Stoke-on-Trent’s Regent ative juices flow - and so Jonathan Pie was says. “I don’t always do the right thing,” he Theatre, Phil Nichol, Darius Davies and born. told Time Out, “but however offensive it Pierre Hollins are the trio of funnymen Now Pie has headed out on a national tour, might sound, at least there’s a genuine charged with the task of bringing some and is most definitely the man of the thought behind it.” autumn mirth to the Potteries. moment. Whether he’s more than just a one- He visits the Midlands this month with his trick pony, however, remains to be seen. Comedian, Magician, Psychopath! tour.

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Billy Connolly Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, Wed 2 - Thurs 3 November A disarmingly gregarious man with a larger- than-life persona, Billy Connolly peddles his material with the assured touch of a comedian who knows he's got his audience in the palm of his hand. Nowadays dealing with the challenges of Parkinson’s disease, the legendary Scottish funnyman has recently had treatment for prostate cancer and can sometimes be tripped up by a less-than-reliable memory. But health issues and a frailer physical appearance aside, the Big Yin is in fine fettle. He seems to be enjoying his time on the road - not least because touring helps alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s. “It's a miracle,” he exclaimed in an interview in the US earlier this year. “I think science should study it. I've gone on stage sick and come off better!”

MY Ellie Taylor Lucy Porter Comedy The Core, Solihull, Theatre Severn, Fri 11 November Wed 2 November Penthouse Conference & Ellie Taylor kick- Edinburgh Events Centre, started her comedy Birmingham, favourite Lucy Sun 13 November career in her late Porter has a mis- 20s, performing in This popular live chievous style of stand-up reality TV comedy night comedy that marks series Show Me The makes a welcome her out as a real Funny. return to SHOUT, talent. She’s an Now in her early 30s, Ellie’s comedy has the annual festival of queer arts and culture absolute charmer, but don’t be fooled - her come a long way in a short time. “It was which is this month taking place at venues pleasant girl-next-door demeanour conceals tricky back then,” she admits, “getting offers across Birmingham and further afield. a beautifully twisted mind! that I wasn’t ready for, but I really do feel The evening is hosted by MY Comedy’s resi- Highlights of her career include achieving a like I’m there now.” dent MC, Maureen Younger. record score on Celebrity Mastermind, in If her currently touring stream-of-concious- The much-travelled Maureen began perform- which her specialist subject was American ness show, Infidellieity, is anything to go by, ing comedy sketches for a French cafe the- funnyman Steve Martin. her self-assessment is bang on the money. atre group before branching out on her own. Her big bag of gags includes, “My husband Jokes built around the subjects of bikini Peddling an on-stage persona that's been proposed to me over the phone. I said yes waxes, smear tests, contraception and orgies described as 'a lazily saucy flirt', she makes straight away, but I should’ve asked who was all feature, as does stick-on facial hair and the most of some rather lightweight material calling.” Ellie’s revelation that she’s only slept with by virtue of her impeccable comic timing... Lucy is this month visiting the Midlands with half a dozen men. She manages to keep the She’s here joined in the laughter-generating Consequences, a touring show which com- attention of the fellas in the audience too; no stakes by Jen Brister (pictured above), Jayde prises heartfelt personal revelations, incisive mean feat when your material is as female- Adams and Birmingham funnylady Lindsey cultural observations and issues as wide- centric as hers is. Santoro. ranging as transgender rights and Australian sheepshearers.

For more comedy listings visit whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Welsh National Opera DPS (1).qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:17 Page 1

FEATURE

Kis M, Kat Welsh National Opera challenge audience assumptions with a new staging of Cole Porter’s classic...

Ask many theatre-goers if they're into perceive it as somehow less worthy, but as this is more a mezzo soprano role, so I opera or musicals and chances are they'll an opera singer, I can assure you that this cheekily decided to give myself a few high come down fairly firmly on one side or the is definitely no less physically, mentally or notes!” other. Received wisdom has it that opera emotionally demanding.” Branching out into musicals can also be a is ‘high culture’, complex and intellectual, Beyond the general appeal of dipping great opportunity for opera companies to perhaps even inaccessible, while musicals one's toes into something different, there attract new audiences, perhaps encourag- are fun, populist and somehow less so- are plenty of very good reasons why an ing them to come back and see a ‘proper’ phisticated. But a large-scale collabora- opera company might take on a musical, opera next time. tion between Opera North and Welsh particularly when it comes to Golden Era “People know Kiss Me Kate is a feelgood National Opera (WNO) on a touring pro- shows like this one. family show that you can bring the kids or duction of Cole Porter's classic Kiss Me “Although they look spectacular, a lot of bring your granny along to,” says Bern. Kate could well challenge those assump- West End shows don't have the luxury of “But there are plenty of operas that are tions, bringing together performers from the big orchestra that an operatic com- just as fun and accessible as this. I think a both spheres. But just how separate really pany can provide,” Bern explains. “David lot of people are put off by this myth that are the two? According to leading lady Charles Bell, our previous conductor, did opera is not for everyone, so doing a musi- Jeni Bern, the divide is not as stark as you some fantastic research, and we've gone cal as an opera company can be a great might think... right back to the original orchestration. vehicle for saying, 'We're not as scary as “People imagine that it's more sniffy than There's music here, like the Harlequin you think.' I'm from a very working-class it is,” she says. “My ex-husband worked in Ballet, that hasn't been heard since 1942. background, so I get quite cross about the the West End, so I have lots of friends on Also, a lot of people forget that when perpetuation of this idea that opera's elit- both sides of the camp, and while there these shows were first done, they would- ist.” may be a sort of joking, friendly rivalry be- n't have been amplified like modern musi- So far from being detached from the tween them, in the end, we do all really cals. They were designed to be sung with colourful, more mainstream world of mu- appreciate the different skills and de- a big, lush, orchestral sound, and I think sical theatre, Bern has always loved the mands of each. For me, the idea of doing they do benefit from going back to that. classics. Her pursuit of a professional eight shows a week is just crazy - you “It's also worth bearing in mind that Cole singing career was at least partly inspired don't get that in opera. On the other hand, Porter would have had a musical educa- by the musicals she performed back in her I know from the musical theatre people tion that included listening to opera and school days. In fact, it was there that she involved in this show that many of them classical music. He's an incredible musi- first encountered the fiery Lili Vanessi in find the idea of singing without a micro- cian, and would definitely have been an amateur production of Kiss Me Kate. phone absolutely terrifying. But I think aware of operatic singing style. At the end that's what's lovely about this project - “I was lucky enough to go to a school of Act One, I added in a little cadenza that both sides bring their different skill sets to where we had a fantastic music teacher isn't technically in the score, but the way the table and we're able to share every- who was also a leading light in the local it's written is almost like a parody of that, thing. I know some people hate the idea am-dram world, and every year we would so I thought, why not? I'm a soprano, but of opera companies doing musicals - they do a musical at school, rather than a play.

22 whatsonlive.co.uk Welsh National Opera DPS (1).qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:17 Page 2

by Heather Kincaid

We did loads of fantastic ones - Godspell World War Two Britain, and Bellini's I Pu- they’ve had more rehearsals than we and Bye Bye Birdie and The Pyjama Game ritani, where the Catholic/Protestant con- have!” - and I think it was in my final year that flict of the Reformation was used to reflect The witty, theatrical self-parodying of Kiss we did Kiss Me Kate. It's great getting to on religious tensions in 1970s Northern Me Kate is part of what’s made it such an revisit her now with some life experience. Ireland. Kiss Me Kate might not mark enduring favourite, and in opting for a I do have quite a personal take on it in quite so dramatic a departure from previ- more realistic backstage aesthetic, Rich- some respects. I'm divorced, and my ex- ous productions, but it's not without that mond emphasises the story's self-reflexive husband was in the business too, so I un- same inventive spark. comedy. But from an insider perspective, derstand the trials and tribulations of “Generally, productions of Kiss Me Kate just how true to life really are the back- trying to keep a relationship going with will do the dressing-room scene with stage antics it portrays? somebody who’s also in this very precari- Fred's and Lili's dressing rooms next to “Well, I don't think I've ever had a ous, emotional rollercoaster of an indus- each other, and a wall and a door between screaming row at a leading man back- try. But just for the record, I don't hate them,” says Bern. “Jo (Davies, director) stage,” Bern laughs, “and I've certainly men!” and Colin (Richmond, designer) wanted to never thrown anything at anyone! But ten- This current production actually made its avoid that cliché, and the idea behind the sions can run high when you're working debut last year, receiving widespread criti- design is that they're on a very tight that closely with people. Moments like cal acclaim during its first tour as an budget, so Fred doesn't really have a when everyone's looking for the missing Opera North show before heading out for dressing room per se - just a sort of ruff are fairly indicative of the chaos in the a second run under the WNO banner. clothes rail. wings. Particularly when you're getting in There are challenges, of course, in adapt- “The show within a show is also managed to a new venue, things go missing and you ing to different singing and staging styles, beautifully. We have this set of what we sometimes only just make entries because but it’s not the first time either company call sliders - they're flats that are hung, you've got to sprint up a set of stairs that has taken on a musical, with Opera North and they pivot and tilt and reverse, so wasn't there last time. And also the having put on Carousel last year and WNO that, as an audience, you can sort of be in unglamorous side of it all, with the rub- ending its autumn 2015 season with both places at the same time. On one side bishy old dressing tables and clothes Sweeney Todd. is what you see in The Taming Of The rails, is very true to life - it's nothing like Even when it comes to opera, WNO has a Shrew, and on the other is what you'd nor- in the Hollywood movies with the huge reputation for theatricality, with produc- mally see backstage, so there are scrib- bouquets and flouncy dresses!” tions that emphasise both quality acting blings and people's notes and and bold, elaborate, often high-concept photographs on the wall. It means we designs. Their Sweeney Todd abandoned don't have to do a revolve, and for the au- Welsh National Opera’s Kiss Me, Kate the story's 19th century origins to present dience it should almost look like you're shows at Birmingham Hippodrome Mrs Lovett's pie shop as a kind of ’70s- seeing the show from backstage. It's really from Thurs 10 to Sat 12 November style greasy spoon. The same season also exciting, but the downside is that the slid- included Handel's Orlando, relocated to ers are a bit temperamental - I think

whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:18 Page 1

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Commitments Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Mon 14 - Sat 19 November; New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 13 - Sat 18 March Roddy Doyle’s smash-hit musical adaptation of his own bestselling novel follows on from the Bafta-bagging movie version that scored a huge international success way back in the early 1990s. As with book and film, the stage show finds working-class music fan Jimmy Rabbitte inspiring an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians and friends to become the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. Along the way, the band treats the audience to more than 20 gold-star soul classics, including: Try A Little Tenderness; River Deep, Mountain High; Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Mustang Sally. Andrew Linnie takes the lead role as Jimmie, while Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy stars as his Da.

Shakespeare, His Wife Dracula The Musical high-profile actors being drawn like prover- bial moths to a flame to its winning blend of And The Dog Blue Orange Theatre, Birmingham, insightful writing, sharp humour and power- until Sat 5 November Birmingham REP, Mon 21 - Wed 23 November ful drama. Jonny Lee Miller, Suranne Jones, Following on from their 2015 production of Hugh Bonneville, Philip Glennister, Andrew Sweeney Todd, Night Project Theatre here Garfield and Rhys Ifans are among those to present a musical version of Bram Stoker’s have appeared in the show across its 23-year legendary gothic horror story. history. The show premiered on Broadway in 2004, This latest version may lack star names, but complete with a nude scene in which the it’s being helmed by the hugely experienced blood-supping Count seduces the best friend Tracey Street, a well-regarded freelance of the woman he loves. The flash of flesh director on the Midlands theatre scene, so generated enormous publicity but failed to expect an evening of high-quality fare. save the production from closing. The cur- tain came down for the last time after only 154 performances and a serious panning from the critics. A comprehensive rewrite fol- Barking Mad lowed, and the revitalised production then Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, made its way to this side of the Atlantic, Thurs 17 November Shakespeare has retired but is making the where it has risen Dracula-like from the dead When the Olivier Award-winning Guy lives of those around him, including his wife and proved to be a major hit with European Masterson married a gorgeous German Anne, a complete and utter misery. During audiences. model named Brigitta, he couldn’t possibly the course of a sleepless night in Stratford, Better make sure you pack some bulbs of have realised the extent to which he was also the couple shine the spotlight on their mar- garlic and a wooden stake, just to be on the entering into a binding, and indeed tempes- riage, as the bard struggles to find meaning safe side... tuous, relationship with her dog, Nelson. in his past... The eight years that followed tested every- Bated Breath’s well-reviewed two-hander is a thing, admits Guy, including his marriage, cleverly scripted celebration of the life and Beautiful Thing his career and even his sanity... Masterson’s hour-long, works of the world’s most famous play- The Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, wright. It’s also a meditation on old age - one Wed 16 - Sat 19 November one-man show gar- that manages to be both humorous and nered plenty of posi- insightful. But then how could it possibly be Jonathan Harvey’s award-winning urban tive reviews at this otherwise, given that much of its material is love story focuses on teenager Jamie’s rela- summer’s Edinburgh sourced from Shakespeare’s canon of plays tionship with his classmate and neighbour, Festival, where it was and poetry? Ste. presented under the RSC actor Philip Whitchurch takes the role of Premiered in 1993, the play’s been performed title of Love And Stratford’s most famous son. in countries across the world, with numerous Canine Integration.

24 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 2

Tue 8 Nov The Merchant of Venice André Tchaikowsky Wed 9 Nov

Macbeth Verdi performance!Extra Thu 10 - Sat 12 Nov Thu 17 Nov 2pm Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate Tue 1- Tue 8 - “Uproariously entertaining – Mon 14 - Sat 5 Nov Sat 12 Nov Sat 19 Nov every inch a whopping hit” Daily Telegraph From £12 From £16.50 From £16

Tue 25 Nov - Mon 19 Dec Tue 7 - Tue 13 Dec - Sun 29 Jan Sat 11 Feb From £19 From £15.50 From £19.50

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: Material Men

Wed 15 - Fri 3 & Mon 27 & Sat 25 Feb Sat 4 Mar Tue 28 Mar From £16 £15 £16

Everyone’s Welcome

0844 338 5000 birminghamhippodrome.com Calls cost 4.5p per min plus access charge. 5% transaction charge applies excluding cash sales in person. Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 3

Theatre Theatre previews from around the region

The Full Monty Birmingham Hippodrome, Mon 14 - Sat 19 November; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Mon 6 - Sat 11 February When the ladies in their lives go on a night out and the entertainment includes a male stripper, a group of newly redundant steelworkers hit on a great idea for a money-spinning venture... Based on the much-loved British movie of the same name, The Full Monty arrives in Birmingham with a soundtrack featuring Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones, and a cast including Louis Emerick, Andrew Dunn and one-time Eastender Gary Lucy. “This may be a comedy but the stories running through it are really strong,” says Gary, “particularly that of my character, Gaz. He’s feeling worthless because he doesn’t have a job and might lose his son. His sole aim is to continue to see his boy, so he gets the guys together to make some money. “What’s been great so far is that the audience have been quiet when they’ve needed to be, through the more serious aspects, but then have really got into the spirit of the piece and had a good night.”

When We Are Married keeper serve to complicate matters even fur- Home At Seven ther... New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, The highly rated Northern Broadsides are the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 8 - Sat 12 November Tues 1 - Sat 5 November company here bringing their comic expertise to bear. RC Sheriff wrote this clever little mystery play more than 20 Dare Devil Rides years after penning his best-known work, To Jarama Journey’s End. It Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, scored an instant hit Sun 13 November with theatre audi- A celebration of the contribution and sacri- ences of the early fice of the volunteer International Brigades, 1950s - so much so, Neil Gore’s new play is presented by in fact, that a mere Townsend Productions, a company whose two years after first being performed, it was previous work includes The Ragged adapted for the cinema, with Ralph Mention JB Priestley and for most people the Trousered Philanthropists, We Will Be Free! Richardson taking the lead role... play that instantly springs to mind is An and United We Stand. There’s nothing unusual about David Inspector Calls. But seven years before the At the centre of its action is speedway hero Preston’s return home from work at 7pm - upper middle-class Birling family and the Clem ‘Dare Devil’ Beckett, a man whose except that, on this particular occasion, 24 mysterious Inspector Goole first made their immense courage leads him to join the hours have elapsed without him even realis- theatrical mark, Priestley penned this International Brigades in their fight against ing it, and it’s now a day later than he delightful northern comedy. Franco’s forces of Fascism in 1930s Spain. thought. The action focuses on three couples, all old While fighting for the freedom of the Spanish Along with his wife Janet, already upset by friends and all of whom had married on the people, Clem forms an unlikely friendship his bizarre disappearance the night before, same day. They gather together to celebrate with literary critic, writer and poet David soon gets another shock, when evi- what they believe to be their silver wedding Christopher Caudwell. dence incriminates him in a murder commit- anniversary - except that it isn’t their wed- Clem and Caudwell’s belief in a common ted during the time for which he cannot ding anniversary at all. In fact - and as they cause not only unites them but leads them to account. find out to their horror - they’re not even the Battle of Jarama, where the ultimate sac- Former Coronation Street villain Brian legally wed. rifice may well be a price they end up having Capron stars alongside Jenny Funnell, best The presence of a drunken newspaper pho- to pay... known from the Judi Dench and Geoffrey tographer and a wickedly conniving house- Palmer sitcom, As Time Goes By. 26 whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 4 Dirty Dancing DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:14 Page 1

FEATURE

I’VE HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE A new production of Eleanor Bergstein’s classic story this month returns to the Midlands. What’s On popped along to rehearsals to ﬁnd out more...

Thirty years after Eleanor Bergstein's classic story of a whirlwind holiday romance first took cinemas by storm, its now almost equally iconic stage adaptation is back on the road with an all-new cast and creative team. Di- rected by Federico Bellone, this new Dirty Dancing UK tour has been specially designed to adapt readily to differently sized stages, allowing it to visit more venues than ever before. This month, the smash-hit show stops off at the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent and the Wolverhampton Grand before moving on to Coventry's Belgrade Theatre early in the New Year. We spoke to the Dirty Dancing On Tour team to find out more about how the magic is made. “I think for the first time, we've gone for a very realistic look,” explains Federico Bellone. “Ba- sically, we've taken the famous picture of the resort where they shot the movie and tried to theatricalise that here. We'll be going out to venues that were not able to house previous versions of the show, but it should still be spectacular. We have three revolves on stage, so it's quite intricate. We've also tried to make the pace even faster - without rushing through it, of course.” “There's a huge pressure to get the balance right,” adds choreographer Gillian Bruce, “because everybody knows this show, so you have to look at the main ingredients and try to keep those, while also making it a little bit different. I was very careful with choosing the cast. The look had to be right, and the sexiness had to be right. I actually wanted to push that a little bit further than in the film, to make it even more ‘dirty’ - without becoming vulgar, obviously, and still making sure it was right for the era.” These continual changes and reinventions - both large and small - are part of what makes every Dirty Dancing live experience feel special, even more than a decade after the show made its stage debut. Carlie Milner, who plays the unlucky Penny Johnson, has also starred in previous incarnations of the show, but is con- Dirty Dancing DPS.qxp_Layout 1 28/10/2016 09:14 Page 2

stantly inspired by the team around her to play, but it's a play with a lot of music,” says through a lot of trauma, and so I have to find work through new approaches to the part. director Bellone. “I think quite often when ways to relate with all of the complex emo- “Of course everyone will have a different people go to see the show for the first time, tions she experiences.” take on things,” she says, “and the people they expect it to be a musical and are sur- “I consider myself an actor rather than a around you give you more information, prised when the cast don't sing. I first went dancer,” says Griffiths, “and while I don't which you just kind of absorb into your per- to see it back in 2007, I think it was, and at think there's anything that I can't learn and formance. It's been lovely to recreate the the time I thought that they should sing get into, it’s been challenging being in a show with a new vision - your ideas do more. But when I met Eleanor Bergstein, she show involving so much dancing. Johnny's change over time, and my own personal take explained to me the reasons why she was ab- character is so completely in his comfort on it has definitely changed. I've found solutely against that, and I had to accept zone in the dance studio, leading and teach- things in the story that I hadn't really that she was perfectly right.” ing in his Cuban heels, so I'm having to find thought about before. I loved the old version “It's quite a difficult show to choreograph ways of taking Lewis' insecurities and turn- but I'm really looking forward to touring this because it's all couple work,” says choreog- ing them into Johnny's strengths.” one too.” rapher Bruce. “I think sometimes it can get “All the characters are going through their Joining more experienced cast members like so busy that the audience doesn't really own stories,” says Milner, “but they're also Milner are the newcomers such as Lewis Grif- know where to look. I've tried to give more all intertwined, so it's all about trying to fiths and Katie Hartland, who lead the show focus to the numbers and allow the audience keep that link and that continuity running as the iconic young couple Johnny and Baby. to enjoy everything without being forced to through the show, while also bringing out just look at one thing at a time.” “Stepping into Patrick [Swayze]'s shoes, I do your character's own personal journey. So feel like I'm a bit in his shadow, as anyone “That's why a lot of people will say that the yeah, it's hard!” would, because he made the part completely musical numbers are so tricky to get right,” The rehearsal process may be long and chal- his own,” Griffiths confesses. “I'm not trying adds Bellone. “They're not meant to look lenging, demanding absolute dedication to imitate him at all, but as Gillian said, like the numbers in a typical musical, but at from the team, but as things begin to fall we've all got to take parts of what's already the same time, they still have to be beautiful. into place, every one of them agrees that the in the film and make it work for us without You have to focus on specific effects. On film time and energy they've poured in has been replicating too much. This is definitely going it's much easier because you can use close- well worth it. ups and focus in on details, but on stage, to be Lewis Griffiths' Johnny Castle as op- “The casting for this show is unbelievable,” you have all these people there and the audi- posed to Patrick Swayze's Johnny Castle.” says Griffiths. “When I got the role of Johnny, ence can look anywhere they want to.” Hartland agrees. “I think for me the biggest it was amazing, but it felt a bit like being at challenge has been taking such an iconic This distinctive format also puts additional the bottom of a very large mountain. I'm re- film and trying to make it your own as much pressure on the cast members, requiring ally thankful that, with the help of these two as you can. Especially with the dancing, be- everyone to be on top form from both dra- and all the crew and creatives, I'm already cause I'm not half as experienced and amaz- matic and physical standpoints. Add to this halfway up that mountain, and once we get ing as some of the others, so it's been a real the fact that, with Dirty Dancing being such to the top I think it's gonna be a hell of a thrill getting to dance like that and to be a huge, worldwide phenomenon, the expec- show. I'm really honoured to be a part of pushed in that way.” tations of audiences across the country are that.” enormous. Among the things that have made Dirty Dancing such a huge success is the fact that “It's quite rare to have something that's so it straddles different theatrical genres. It isn't heavy both in terms of the dance and the Dirty Dancing shows at Stoke’s Regent quite a conventional stage musical. Not only character aspects,” says Milner. “Physically Theatre from Mon 7 to Sat 12 November; are the songs performed by a separate band this version is very demanding and there's a Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from rather than sung by the main cast members, lot going on. You want to make sure you do it Mon 28 November to Sat 3 December; Bel- but the style of the dancing and staging is correctly, but there's only so much time, and grade Theatre, Coventry, from Mon 30 also very different. that in itself is quite difficult for a performer. January to Sat 4 February; and the New From a character point of view, it's also quite “Dirty Dancing is definitely, absolutely a Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, from difficult. Obviously for me, Penny goes Mon 29 May to Sat 3 June Theatre November Dav.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:19 Page 5

Theatre

Sunny Afternoon Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 29 November - Sat 3 December; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tues 18 - Sat 22 April 2017 This clever homage to Swinging ’60s superstars The Kinks has been wowing audiences and critics in equal measure since opening in the West End in 2014. Indeed, its quality and popularity were last year suitably rewarded when it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Adapted from Joe Penhall’s book, with an original story by Kinks guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Ray Davies, the show features plenty of the band’s best-known tunes, including iconic tracks You Really Got Me, Waterloo Sunset, Dedicated Follower Of Fashion, All Day And All Of The Night and Lola.

Oliver Samuels: Guilt Trip Honour Demi Nandhra: Life Is No New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Laughing Matter Sun 6 November Tues 8 - Sat 12 November mac, Birmingham, Tues 8 - Wed 9 November Joanna Murray-Smith's 1995 play has certain- Jamaican ‘king of com- “Sometimes I think I’ve felt everything I’m ly done the rounds over the last two decades, edy’ Oliver Samuels ever gonna feel,” reveals Birmingham-based having been produced in close on 40 coun- here makes a welcome Demi Nandhra. “And from here on out, I’m tries. Here in the UK, it scored a major hit at return, having previ- not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser ver- the National in 2003 when Eileen Atkins and ously enjoyed huge sions of what I’ve already felt.” the late Corin Redgrave played the leads. Its touring successes with Demi uses a combination of installation and West End revival three years later provided a his shows Divorce performance to explore the role of women in starring role for Dame Diana Rigg. Papers and Dolly modern society, with feminism very much at When distinguished literary journalist House. the heart of her work. In Life Is No Laughing George is interviewed by the ambitious and Samuels’ latest offering is a comedy drama Matter, her first solo show, she contemplates considerably younger Claudia, sparks fly and which examines the life of a woman haunted the subjects of mental health, depression his long and seemingly stable marriage to by an event from her dim and distant past - and anxiety. Honor bites the dust. an event that continues to impact on the Described as ‘part personal narrative, part But as the central characters come into con- lives of all those associated with her. social rant, part mess’, the production is an flict, it becomes increasingly uncertain “Guilt Trip offers a refreshing insight into the autobiographical live art/stand up/theatre where the balance of power actually lies... richness of Jamaican culture,” explains performance that delves into her experience Oliver, “and also looks at some of the mis- of living with depression - from trying to conceptions that exist in dealing with mental find a cure to eating 56 bananas and illness. It’s full of laughter, and uses both The Unknown Soldier attempting ‘to think happy thoughts’. drama and comedy to touch, stimulate and Lichfield Garrick, Tues 8 November Audience members are warned to expect entertain its audience.” ‘shit metaphors, unicorns, dependency on a The need to keep a promise and repay a debt loved one and Demi’s nana's holy water’... keeps Jack on the World War One battle- Into The Woods fields, even though the guns have fallen silent... Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Described as a story of comradeship and Thurs 24 - Sat 26 November betrayal, and of promises both broken and Local company 4PLAY make their debut with kept following the carnage of the Great War, this James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim The Unknown Soldier debuted at Edinburgh musical. The show brings to life Cinderella, last year and was highly praised by the crit- Jack And The Beanstalk, Little Red Riding ics. Hood and numerous other fairytales to pres- Its author, award-nominated playwright Ross ent a moving lesson about community Ericson, enjoyed a 2013 success with responsibility and the stories people tell Casualties, a fraught drama about the their children. One-time Opportunity Knocks Afghanistan War and its repercussions. winner Mark Rattray stars as the Baker.

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theatre for younger audiences...

George’s Marvellous Medicine Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs 2 Where’s My Igloo Gone?

George’s Marvellous forced to hunt for the Magic Cutlass by the Where’s My Igloo Gone? Medicine tyrannical Mr T-Rex. Cue the ever-heroic captain, and a dangerous rescue mission that mac, Birmingham, Wed 23 - Sun 27 November New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, could well see his timbers being comprehen- Soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs, starry Tues 22 November - Sat 3 December sively shivered... nights, fishing adventures and the kind of Birmingham Stage Company return with one cold that makes the skin tingle are all fea- of their most popular Roald Dahl adapta- tured in this Bone Ensemble story about a lit- tions. George’s Marvellous Medicine tells the Granny’s Game tle girl who sets off in search of help when fantastical tale of a young boy who chances The Place, Oakengates, Shropshire, her igloo starts to melt... his arm as an infant Alexander Fleming and Sat 12 November “We’re collaborating with experts in climate makes a medicine to cure his grandmother of “We offer a diverse programme of theatre change and social psychology,” explain the her bad temper. But when she takes it, all activities,” says Kirsty Mead, who co-found- Birmingham-based Bone Ensemble, “so that sorts of weird and wonderful things occur, ed Lincolnshire children’s theatre company we can weave scientific knowledge into a and it isn’t long before George realises that Rhubarb back in the year 2000. “We bring compelling narrative with dynamic interac- his adventures have only just begun. theatre directly to family centres, village tive activities, engaging audiences with cli- halls, youth clubs, schools, art centres, her- mate change in a new and refreshing way.” itage sites, museums and traditional the- Peppa Pig’s Surprise atres.” Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Rhubarb’s latest touring show is based on Cloud Cuckoo Land: Wed 2 - Thurs 3 November the real-life experiences of pioneering inves- Ding Dong If you’ve taken your little ones to any of the tigative journalist Nellie Bly, whose well- previous Peppa Pig stage shows - and developed sense of adventure saw her under- mac, Birmingham, Sun 6 November enjoyed the experience of watching them take a record-breaking, Phileas Fogg-style Cloud Cuckoo Land, the company behind having a fantastic time - you’ll already know trip around the world in 1889. this bright and bubbly production, describe that this latest production is well worth And globetrotting adventure is very much on themselves as a ragtag ensemble of multi-tal- catching. the agenda for the show’s two young heroes, ented cuckoos. “It seems hardly any time at all since we Julia and John, when they discover a mysteri- “We like nothing better,” they reveal, “than started on the first Peppa Pig live stage ous boardgame while visiting their granny... whipping up immersive, interactive and show,” observes writer and director Richard interdisciplinary plays, parties and installa- Lewis. “It’s been an incredible experience tions, to whisk you away from your everyday seeing the children’s reactions, not only in The Nose That Nobody life to somewhere altogether stranger.” the UK but throughout the world. It just con- Picked The Birmingham company’s new offering for firms that Peppa really is a worldwide phe- Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, younger children is an interactive musical nomenon.” Sun 6 November play based around the subject of ‘time’. It Mountains of mucus, toe-tapping tunes and sees a cast of actor-musicians creating a Captain Flinn And The two nostrils full of magic are the order of the unique 360° immersive listening experience day in this first-time-touring stage adapta- by playing a wide variety of instruments all Pirate Dinosaurs 2 tion of David Parkin’s much-loved book. around the audience. And the youngsters get Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, While indulging in his hobby of making to join in with the music-making too, Sat 5 November ornamental displays with gnomes and toys, through clapping, singing, movement, call- Award-winning children’s ensemble Les 10-year-old Christopher stumbles upon a liv- and-response and imaginative suggestions. Petits Theatre know that the best way to keep ing nose, one which has been raised by slugs Kids can also meet the characters - Dot, people coming to their shows is to entertain in his garden. Smidge, Mooch and Nora - all of whom will the adults in the audience as well as the The nose needs a face, so Christopher sets be battling hard to save their beloved clock- youngsters. And just like the company’s orig- out to find him one. But he’s reckoned with- tower. inal Captain Flinn stage show, this lively out the less-than-helpful intervention of sequel manages to do exactly that. Doctor Skinner, an eccentric plastic surgeon As you’d expect, there’s plenty for the kids to who not only has connections to the nose’s enjoy too, in an action-packed adventure past but also harbours sinister intentions... that sees Flinn’s kidnapped friends being

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Christmas Festive shows and attractions opening in November

’Tis the season to be jolly - well, nearly. Yes, Christmas is a-coming, and it’s time to start thinking about how best to celebrate and enjoy this festive time of year. If you’re struggling for ideas, fear not - we’ve got a few suggestions that should hopefully ensure you’re positively chomping at the yuletide bit come the 25th of December. From pantomimes to family shows, stylish ballets to Shakespeare storms, underground boat trips to illuminating lantern festivals, it promises to be an unforgettable season of magic and mirth in the Midlands. Check out which festive shows and attractions are opening across the Midlands this month...

Treasure Island The REP, Birmingham, Fri 25 November - Sat 7 January This latest theatrical version of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, a modern adaptation by Bryony Lavery, puts an interesting spin on the author’s swashbuckling story, with the chief protagonist being a girl rather than a boy. When pirates ransack her grandmother’s inn, fearless Jim is drawn into the adventure of a lifetime - one which will see her not only setting sail in search of buried treasure but also spending time in the company of a one-legged pirate with murder in mind...

Cinderella The Tempest The Nutcracker Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- Birmingham Hippodrome, Wed 30 November - Sun 8 January 2017 upon-Avon, Tues 8 November - Sat 21 Fri 25 November - Tues 13 December January 2017 Shakespeare’s last and most complete play, The Tempest also represents the culmination of his art, bringing together many of the themes that informed his greatest dramas. A wild storm forces a royal ship onto the rocks of an enchanted isle. The castaways, separated from one another, find themselves slipping under the Sir Peter Wright’s enchanting version of this control of the mysterious Prospero. firm festive favourite returns to the With its comical Ugly Sisters, metamorpho- Matters are further complicated by the Hippodrome this month, courtesy of sising pumpkin, matchmaking fairy god- presence of supernatural spirit Ariel Birmingham Royal Ballet. Created in 1990 as mother, drop-dead-gorgeous Prince and the grotesque man-beast, a thank you to Birmingham for its support of Charming, super-cute mice and fits-one-foot- Caliban... the company following its move to the only glass slipper, Cinderella can justifiably Presented by the RSC as their Midlands from London’s Sadler Wells, lay claim to being the most popular of all Christmas family show, this brand new Wright’s production is seen by many as the pantomimes. production is helmed by the company’s finest interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s mag- This year’s Theatre Severn version of the artistic director, Gregory Doran, and nificent and mesmerising score. famous fairytale features all the usual panto stars Simon Russell Beale as Prospero. In true Christmas spirit, the story follows elements of comedy, singing, dancing, audi- the young Clara as she’s swept up in a fanta- ence participation and ‘stunning’ sets and sy of soldiers, giant rats, snow fairies, magic costumes. And also very much as usual, it and mystery, before finally being trans- stars the ever-popular Brad Fitt, on this occa- formed into a beautiful ballerina... sion appearing ‘as you’ve never seen him A magical, must-see show for little before’... princesses.

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November

The Wind In The Willows The Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham, Mon 21 November - Sat 31 December A firm festive favourite, Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved riverside tale ably demonstrates the way in which one life can command the full attention of three others! Loyal Mole, faithful Ratty and steady old Badger simply don’t have time for any of their own interests - they’re far too busy having to look after their reckless and irrepressible friend, Mr Toad... Presented by Scott Ritchie Productions and Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

Dick Whittington Stick Man the audiences.” Julia’s not wrong - audiences Belgrade Theatre, Coventry most definitely do love the show, as a smash- Wed 23 November - Sat 7 January Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Thurs 24 November - Sat 31 December hit season in the West End ably demonstrat- The story of a young man who heads for “Scamp Theatre send shivers down my ed. Featuring a trio of talented performers, London in search of fame and fortune is the production brings together puppetry, one of the most popular of all pan- spine,” reveals Julia Donaldson, the co-cre- ator (along with Alex Scheffler) of the hugely songs, live music and ‘funky moves’ to tell tomimes, not least because of the top- the story of Stick Man’s desperate attempts to drawer adventures with which the popular children’s book on which this show is based. “They’re so lively and innovative. I get back to the family tree. Suitable for chil- happy-go-lucky Dick finds himself dren aged three and older. involved. love their production of Stick Man, and so do With Sarah the Cook and Queen Rat both putting in an appearance, and heady romance also on the cards for our ever-affable hero, this is a show that promises to be packed to its festive rafters with action, comedy and fun.

The Snow Queen New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Sat 19 November - Sat 28 January The Snow Queen is ruler of all she sur- veys, and when she kidnaps young Kay, it’s left to his sister, Gerda, to save him from a bleak future in the frostbitten wastelands... The New Vic here give this Hans Christian Andersen work a brand new treatment, presenting a timeless tale that brings together ‘enchanting characters, original music and breathtaking on-stage magic’. Santa’s Winter Wonderland This particular take on sibling love set The SnowDome, Tamworth, are able to play and slide in real snow as they amidst the ice caps and snow-laden Fri 18 November - Sat 31 December explore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take a landscapes of the north has been direct- SnowDome’s all-new Santa Show is part of the walk through the enchanted forest, enjoy a ed with the intention of appealing to venue’s Winter Wonderland event, and finds game of snowballs and hitch a ride on a family members of all ages. the big man in red making final preparations sledge. for another ‘Christmas extravaganza’. The less adventurous, meanwhile, can observe Suitable for all age groups, Santa’s Winter the snow-related action as they amble along Wonderland provides plenty of festive fun for the promenade walkway. There’s even an ani- visitors to Tamworth’s snowy indoor attrac- mal village, where you can meet Santa’s rein- tion. A safe environment ensures youngsters deer and discover some of his furry friends.

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Festive shows and attractions opening in November

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market Birmingham City Centre, Thurs 17 November - Thurs 29 December This is the largest outdoor Christmas market in the country and sits at the centre of Birmingham’s festive celebrations. Drawing crowds from across the city and further afield, the Frankfurt Markets feature a wide range of traditional handmade toys, art, and items from throughout the world. There’s plenty of food and drink available too, including German mulled wine, grilled sausages, vegetarian options, pretzels and German beer. Carol singers and an ornate Ice Skate Birmingham carousel are other popular elements of this well-established Centenary Square, Birmingham, popular visitor attraction can hold up to 300 attraction, which, for the first Sat 19 November - Sun 8 January people per session. Younger or inexperienced time, is staying open beyond Ice Skate Birmingham makes a welcome return skating enthusiasts can keep upright by using Christmas (until 29 December). to the city centre this month. As usual located in special penguin skating aids, which can be front of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the booked online and in advance.

Santa Hunts Magic Lantern Festival Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, various dates from Sun 20 November - Fri 25 November - Mon 2 January 2017 Sat 24 December Celebrating over 2,000 years of lantern festivals, this ‘illuminating’ event sees visitors accessing the venue through a giant lantern entrance before following a lantern-lit trail around the gardens. Campers Christmas Aside from enjoying the collection of beautifully Coventry Transport Museum, constructed lanterns and the natural scenery, Sun 27 November visitors to the festival can also catch up with This year’s Christmas Campers Santa and his reindeers. event takes the entirely relevant Other attractions include a 12-metre-wide theme of ‘pantomime’, and, we’re Saint Nicholas’s much-vaunted ability to make lantern scene - featuring penguins, snowmen, reliably informed, features ‘every- his way around the world at superfast speed on Christmas trees and baubles - and a special thing from Puss In Boots to Dick Christmas Eve should also stand him in good fairy-themed area, complete with a floating Whittington’. stead in the run-up to the festive season, when fairy, beautiful butterflies and thousands of Camper vans of all shapes and he’ll need to pop up in all manner of places to bright and tiny lights. sizes take part, and organisers excite and delight children of all ages - even the promise an abundance of fairy grown-up ones! lights and costumes to further One such stop-off for the big chap is the Black enhance the festive cheer. There Country Living Museum in Dudley, where he’ll are prizes to be won too, and a be sipping a sherry and scoffing a mince pie in Christmas DJ - decking his decks his secret workshop. The challenge for young with boughs of holly, no doubt. visitors to the venue is to see if they can find For those who fancy a leisurely him. Meeting a series of characters along the browse, a Christmas craft fair way, children can solve magical clues, sprinkle should prove just the yuletide dust on reindeer shoes and even send letters up ticket. the chimney to the great man himself. If they manage to find him, they’ll be rewarded for their endeavours with a surprise gift... For further festive listings, What’s not to like? visit whatsonlive.co.uk.

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Film

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them CERT tbc Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Samantha Morton, Ezra Miller, Ron Perlman, Jon Voight Directed by David Yates (UK/USA) By the time this epic fantasy trundles onto DVD, the name Newt Scamander should be every bit as famous as Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. Eddie Redmayne plays the eccentric English wizard, invented by JK Rowling in her 2001 novel, and it’s Rowling who adapted the book in her screen- writing debut. Set in the same universe as Harry Potter, the events precede the first Potter film by 70 years and unfold in New York. It’s there that Newt arrives after a world tour researching - and rescuing - certain magical creatures, the subject of his eponymous textbook. But shortly after his arrival in 1926 some of his fantastic beasts are acci- dentally released from his care… The film was intended to be the first in a trilogy, although Rowling announced last month that there would be two more editions (making it a quintet). In 3D and IMAX. Released Fri 18 November

CRITIC’S CHOICE

Film highlights released in November...

The Light Between Oceans A Street Cat Named Bob CERT 12a (113 mins) CERT 12a (103 mins) Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Starring Luke Treadaway, Ruta Gedmintas, Rachel Weisz, Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, Joanne Froggatt, Anthony Head, Caroline Caren Pistorius Directed by Derek Cianfrance Goodall, Bob the Cat (USA/Australia/UK/New Zealand) Directed by Roger Spottiswoode (UK) Based on ML Stedman's 2012 novel of the Bob is a ginger stray who befriended James same name, this post-WWI drama tells the Bowen (Treadaway), a busker and recovering story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife drug addict whose life was turned around by who adopt an infant girl they find stranded the friendship. So much so, that Bowen in a rowing boat - and of the later moral con- wrote a book about the alliance which sold a sequences. million copies in the UK alone and has been Derek Cianfrance previously directed Blue translated into 30 languages. The coup of Valentine and The Place Beyond The Pines, The Accountant this British adaptation is that the filmmakers so this should be interesting. CERT 15 (128 mins) persuaded the real Bob to play himself. Released Tues 1 November Starring Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J. Released Fri 4 November K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, John Lithgow Directed by Gavin O'Connor (USA) Number crunchers are the new warriors in a global infrastructure governed by algorithms. Christian Wolff (Affleck) is more comfortable with digits than people but has to face the real world when his dealings in criminal numerical manipulation is cottoned onto by the Treasury’s Crime Enforcement Division. People will die. Released Fri 4 November

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Film

Nocturnal Animals CERT 15 (117 mins) Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Michael Sheen, Andrea Riseborough Directed by Tom Ford (USA) The owner of an art gallery (Amy Adams) receives a manuscript of her ex-husband’s new novel, something she reads as a veiled threat… Adapted from Austin Wright’s 1993 novel Tony And Susan, this marks the fashion designer Tom Ford’s second film as director, following the critically acclaimed A Single Man. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Released Fri 4 November

CRITIC’S CHOICE

A United Kingdom story of Sir Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), the king of Bechuanaland CERT 12a (111 mins) (now Botswana), who falls for a white Starring David Oyelowo, Rosamund Pike, office worker (Rosamund Pike) he meets Jack Davenport, Tom Felton, Jack Lowden, Terry Pheto, Laura Carmichael Directed by in London during the unforgiving years Amma Asante (UK/USA/Czech Republic) of the late 1940s. The ensuing furore that Amma Asante directed the intelligent, greeted the couple’s romance ended up powerful and hugely affecting Belle becoming a diplomatic crisis. Based on (2013) and now turns her attention to the book Colour Bar by Susan Williams another cause célèbre involving the clash and filmed in London and Botswana. of black and white skins. This is the true Released Fri 25 November

Rupture CERT 15 (99 mins) A Hundred Streets Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Chiklis, Peter CERT 15 (93 mins) Stormare, Lesley Manville, Kerry Bishé Starring Idris Elba, Gemma Arterton, Charlie Directed by Steven Shainberg (USA/Canada) Creed-Miles, Steven Mackintosh, Samantha A single mother is abducted, drugged and Barks, Ken Stott Directed by Jim O'Hanlon (UK) taken to a secret facility where she struggles to discover what the heck is going on. Then The streets in question are spread out across the experiments begin… the London capital, where three people’s lives take a remarkable turn. Expect some Released Fri 4 November pretty strong language and sex. Released Fri 11 November

Arrival CERT 12a (116 mins) Starring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma Directed by Denis Villeneuve (USA) Great cast, terrific director (cf. Incendies, Prisoners, Sicario). And if the idea sounds overly familiar - mysterious spacecraft land- ing all over the planet - you can bet that this will be very, very different. Amy Adams plays Louise Banks, a linguist recruited by the military to communicate with the visitors. The sci-fi drama received rave reviews at the Venice Film Festival. Released Thurs 10 November

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Film releases in November

American Pastoral Almost Christmas Allied CERT tbc CERT 15 (108 mins) CERT tbc Starring Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Lizzy Starring Ewan McGregor, Dakota Fanning, Starring Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Caplan, Matthew Goode, Jared Harris, Anton Jennifer Connelly, Rupert Evans, Valorie Danny Glover, Mo'Nique, Nicole Ari Lesser Directed by Robert Zemeckis (UK/USA) Curry, David Strathairn Parker, Gabrielle Union Directed by Directed by Ewan McGregor (USA) David E. Talbert (USA) No, the festivities can’t be that close!? As we’re scrambling to address our Christmas cards, along comes this starry ensemble in which the various members of a dysfunctional family get together to pretend to celebrate. Cf. last year’s Christmas With The Coopers. Released Fri 25 November Inspired by the true incident of two assas- sins who fell in love during a mission to take out a German official, Allied is the latest film Of all the people to adapt Philip Roth’s from the keyboard of Steven Knight. Knight’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1997, Ewan previous credits include Dirty Pretty Things, McGregor was not the obvious choice. Be Peaky Blinders, The Hundred-Foot Journey that as it may, the Scottish actor makes his and the criminally underrated Burnt, so this directorial debut here and plays the part of comes with some pedigree. former college athlete and successful Jewish Set in 1942 in North Africa and London. American businessman Seymour Levov. Released Fri 25 November Seymour leads a perfect life until his 16-year- old daughter (Dakota Fanning) decides to commit an act of political terrorism. Released Fri 11 November Paterson CERT tbc Starring Adam Driver, Golshifteh Farahani, Barry Shabaka Henley, Cliff Smith Directed by Jim Jarmusch (USA/Germany/France) Bad Santa 2 CERT tbc The Innocents CERT 15 (115 mins) Coincidentally, Paterson (Adam Driver) lives Starring Lou de Laâge, Agata Kulesza, Agata Starring Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy in a city also called Paterson. It’s here that Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Buzek, Vincent Macaigne, Joanna Kulig our protagonist leads Directed by Anne Fontaine Brett Kelly Directed by Mark Waters (Poland/France/Belgium) (USA) his uneventful life driv- Willie T Stokes is not the most charita- ing a bus, walking his ble of characters and here uses the dog and popping into a umbrella of Yuletide to rip off a bar for his one beer a Chicago charity on Christmas Eve. day. However, his wife The first film, originally released in is just bursting with 2003, was a wickedly funny black com- ambition and urges edy featuring a villain with an approxi- Paterson to take his gift mate rooting in reality. Here’s hoping for poetry seriously… the new film retains some of that cali- Released Fri bre. 25 November Released Fri 25 November

Polish films are not, as a general rule, enor- mously hearty affairs. Anne Fontaine’s The Edge Of Seventeen CERT tbc Franco-Polish drama, based on true events, is nonetheless an extraordinary and extraor- Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, dinarily powerful film. Set in a Polish con- Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (USA) vent in the bleak midwinter of 1945, it tells the story of how a young French Red Cross High school junior Nadine Byrd (Hailee worker (Lou de Laâge) is drawn into the Steinfeld) is not enjoying her youth, when grim, cloistered world of that institution. her older brother starts dating her best The outcome is shocking and moving and friend. Eww! This coming-of-age comedy- the film itself superbly acted and exquisitely drama from first-time writer-director Craig mounted. got some pretty awesome reviews in the US. Released Fri 11 November Released Wed 30 November

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Bellows and The Body Despite his significant standing in the US, early-20th century painter George Bellows remains a relatively unknown artist here in the UK - a perhaps unsurprising fact given that there are only two of his paintings in British public collections. One of the two is Nude, Miss Bentham, a 1906 artwork acquired last year by Birmingham’s Barber Institute and now showing at the venue in a new exhibition. What’s On recently paid the gallery a visit to find out more…

Around the middle of the 20th century, visu- Nicola Kalinsky, Director of the Barber, “but ball player sketching idealised, athletic bod- al art underwent a radical transformation as it's not a name that many people here know. ies for college yearbooks, to the socially con- modernist movements like abstract expres- The National Gallery has one Bellows paint- scious and decidedly realist artist who later sionism swept Europe and America. Yet just ing, but otherwise, ours is the only one in a emerged. a few years earlier, Western art had looked British public collection.” Other striking works include The Stag At decidedly different, and many artists who Taking pride of place is an arresting, full- Sharkey's (1917), a visceral lithograph print have received little attention in recent years length portrait acquired by the gallery in of two boxers which served as the cover for a were hugely influential in their time. February 2015. Depicting the fleshy, muscular 1915 edition of The Masses, a socialist maga- One key movement in American art which form of a female model, Nude, Miss Bentham zine whose art editor was Bellows' friend and today has been largely forgotten in Europe (1906) is here displayed alongside Bellows’ contemporary, John Sloan. comprised a group of former students of the comparable Nude Girl, Miss Leslie Hall “In the 1900s, New York was the great mod- New York School of Art who sought to reflect (1909) for the first time in over a century, ern city,” says Nicola. “With the first high- the harsh realities of the urban life around thanks to a loan from The Terra Foundation rises going up and thousands of immigrants them. Among the most prominent and prolif- for American Art. descending on it, it was an exciting place to ic of this so-called ‘Ashcan School’ was “It's a striking image,” says Nicola, “quite be, but there were also social problems and George Bellows, once described by the unlike anything else we have in the collec- poverty. The Ashcan artists felt it was impor- Columbus Museum of Art as ‘the most tion. But at the same time, it speaks to some tant to paint the city as it really was, warts acclaimed American artist of his generation’. of the work we already have. This painting and all.” In a new exhibition titled Bellows And The normally hangs near our Manet, and while Body, Birmingham University's Barber they're from different traditions, you can see Institute sheds light on this often under- similarities in terms of how painterly and Bellows and The Body: The Real, The appreciated painter. realistic they are.” Ideal and The Nude continues at The “In America, George Bellows is very popular The exhibition highlights Bellows' develop- Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University Of as well as historically important,” says ment over the years, from the student base- Birmingham, until Sunday 22nd January

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Visual Arts

Realisation mac, Birmingham, until Wed 30 November With its international reputation as one of the UK's most diverse cities, Birmingham last month seized the opportunity to acknowledge the cultural contributions of its many communities by celebrating Black History Month (BHM). As part of those celebrations, this Inspiring A New Generation-coordinated exhibition brings together examples of work by Birmingham-based painters and mixed media artists. The artwork on show either celebrates important people from the Black community or, in keeping with the over-arching theme of the city’s BHM programme, con- nects into the subject of music and musicians. A number of the displayed artworks are available for sale.

Eva Rothschild: East Meets West Roy Lichtenstein Alternative To Power Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Fri 6 January until Sun 26 February New Art Gallery, Walsall, until Sun 15 January The ways in which people nowadays spend Renowned for works based on comic strips Eva Rothschild’s sculptures often look ‘pre- their leisure time are many and varied, as and advertising imagery coloured with his carious’, as she herself describes them. the artwork displayed in this brand new signature Benday dots, Roy Lichtenstein was One of the leading sculptors of her genera- exhibition ably illustrates. one of the most radical and influential artists tion, the Dublin-born artist likes to create Coordinated by Grain, an organisation dedi- of the 20th century and a leading figure in and display a sense of physical tension with- cated to delivering ambitious, high-quality the Pop Art movement. in her work, an aim which often leads her to arts projects, East Meets West features the This exhibition of his art is drawn from Artist design pieces that seem to defy gravity. work of 16 local and emerging artists work- Rooms, a collection of international modern One of the intentions of this approach is to ing with moving image or photography. and contemporary art owned by National challenge the viewer; Rothschild believes The artwork on show includes images that Galleries of Scotland and Tate on behalf of that the ideal way to look at art is to be per- examine drinking culture, document com- the public. manently confused. munity-led action to save local swimming Commenting on the show, Wolverhampton Alternative To Power marks the first time baths, provide a sensitive portrait of a young councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member she’s exhibited in the Midlands. The show Shetland Island resident’s use of his leisure for City Economy, said: “This is the fourth features a new body of work for the gallery time and shine a light on the obsession that time the art gallery has hosted an Artist that’s characterised by the use of co-depen- can drive a collector. Rooms exhibition, and we’re delighted the dent forms. Each piece is made up of multi- Lichtenstein works, newly added to the col- ple elements that rely on one another for lection, are coming here this month. They support, the columns, frames, arches and were first displayed at the Scottish National benches forming a fragile union of physical Brick Wonders Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh in 2015, components. Herbert Museum & Art Gallery, and this will be the first opportunity for visi- Alongside her gallery pieces, Rothschild is until Sun 15 January tors to see the works at an Artist Rooms asso- also displaying a large-scale dyed fabric ban- Although for the majority of people Lego ciate venue.” ner, carrying the exhibition’s title, in the bricks are simply a toy with which to keep venue’s front-facing Window Box. small children entertained, for some, they’re a challenging and enjoyable modelling medi- um. The potential of these hugely popular plastic construction pieces is here celebrated via an exhibition that uses the bricks to build mod- els of some of the world's best-known build- ings and landmarks. Roy Lichtenstein Reflections on Crash 1990. ARTIST Included in a collection of over 70 construc- ROOMS, Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. Lent by The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation Collection 2015 tions are presentations of the Great Wall of China and Niagara Falls.

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Picasso On Paper Heavenly Lights: Compton Verney Art Gallery, The Untold Story Warwickshire, until Sun 11 December Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery, He may be best known for his paint- until Sun 15 January ings, but during his lifetime Pablo The artwork of a Shrewsbury woman Picasso created more than 2,000 who was one of the great female prints, a statistic that bears testimo- artists of the early 20th century is ny to the high regard in which the the subject of this new exhibition. artist held the discipline of print- Margaret Agnes Rope - or Marga, as making. she was known - was born in 1882 Comprising more than 70 works and produced stained glass that can from Dusseldorf’s Museum be found in churches and cathedrals Kunstpalast, Picasso On Paper fea- on three continents. tures artwork from across four Although her work is collected by decades. Various media are in evi- museums in the US, she’s now large- dence, including etching, lithogra- ly forgotten here in the UK. phy, aquatint and linocut, with the pieces being grouped according to such themes as family, bullfighting and mythology. The exhibition is complemented by eight ceramics created by the artist in association with the Madoura pottery near Antibes in Provence.

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Events

Crafts For Christmas checking out a wealth of supplies, innovations, new product launches, demonstrations and workshops... NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 November For anybody whose passion is making art, a few hours spent at the This popular event for crafting enthusiasts at all levels brings togeth- Art Materials Live attraction should prove to be both stimulating and er four distinct shows under one roof - Crafts For Christmas, Cake informative. There are numerous free workshops to enjoy, fascinating International (4 to 6 November), Arts Material Live and Stitching, demonstrations by professional artists and the opportunity to stock Sewing And Hobbycrafts. up on fresh supplies and admire ‘stunning’ displays... The fourth Crafts For Christmas sees more than 150 exhibitors showcasing their show, opening a day later than the other three, is Cake International, exclusive range of bespoke and unusual gifts. ‘Inspiring’ workshops, the UK’s leading cake decorating, sugarcraft and cake-baking show. live music, a gift-wrapping service and an impressive array of festive The event features cutting-edge workshops and demonstrations, lots food also feature... of information about the latest trends and supplies, and an opportu- Visitors to the Stitching, Sewing & Hobbycrafts element of the event nity to check out some of the best entries in the annual cake-decorat- are invited to ‘stock up and revel in creative craft inspiration’ by ing competition.

Lancaster Insurance BBC Good Food Show Mind Body Spirit Festival Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham, NEC, Birmingham, Fri 4 - Sun 6 November Thurs 24 - Sun 27 November NEC, Birmingham, Fri 11 - Sun 13 November The Mind Body Spirit Festival has been The biggest event of its kind, the Classic A long-time favourite on the UK’s culi- offering spiritual seekers a safe place in Motor Show has some impressive statistics nary events calendar, the BBC Good which to commune and share their ideas, behind it. Last year’s event, for example, Food Show brings a packed programme beliefs and philosophies for almost 40 featured a display of 1,800 cars and more of inspiration and entertainment to the years. than 600 trade stands manned by 250 of the NEC. When founded in 1977, it was the only exhi- UK’s best motoring clubs. Continuing to attract the crème de la bition in the world entirely devoted to the Visitors to the 2016 edition of the show can crème of TV personalities, this year’s pursuit of healthier, more creative and ful- expect plenty more of the same, as well as show sees, among others, Mary Berry, filling lifestyles. the chance to drop into the Restoration The Hairy Bikers, Raymond Blanc, Paul A concept which might have seemed a little Theatre to find out how to restore a cher- Hollywood, Michael Roux Jr, James bit ‘out there’ back in the mid-1970s has cer- ished classic. The always-popular autojum- Martin and Great British Bake Off 2015 tainly come of age in the early 21st century. ble makes a welcome return too, complete winner Nadiya Hussain cooking up a In an ever more stressful and seemingly with a range of mouthwatering 'show only' treat or several in the Supertheatre. dangerous world, it’s hardly surprising that offers. Add into the mix oodles of tastings, hun- the festival is going from strength to Other attractions at this year’s event include dreds of exhibitors showcasing their strength, as people seek a means of occa- a dedicated classic motorbike show, wares and a special show celebrating the sionally escaping the trials and tribulations Silverstone auctions, the chance for visitors cuisine of Northern Ireland, and you’ve of modern living. to take a ride in ‘the car of their dreams’, got yourself the makings of a delicious Attractions at this month’s show include a and an appearance by Wheeler Dealer star day out. workshop programme presenting new ideas Mike Brewer. on relationships, awakening, feng shui, inspired living, NLP, yoga, meditation, modern shamanism, science & angels.

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more events from around the region

MCM Comic Con Birmingham Hereford NEC, Birmingham, Sat 19 - Sun 20 November Contemporary The MCM Comic Con is an absolute must for anybody Craft Fair with an interest in movies, gaming, comics, anime, cult Left Bank, Hereford, television shows, gadgets, clothing and toys. It also has Fri 11 - Sun 13 November an impressive track record when it comes to hosting This well-attended annual show celebrity appearances - and this year is certainly no dif- features contemporary craft ferent... designer-makers presenting a American actor Sam Jones shot to albeit brief stardom wide variety of work, including in 1980 when he took the title role in the big-screen ver- jewellery, textiles, furniture, sion of Flash Gordon. The British-made movie, which ceramics, glass, stone carving, boasted a camp, over-the-top style reminiscent of the basketry, fashion & accessories 1960s Batman TV series, has since become a cult clas- and metalwork. sic - a fact which not surprisingly means that Sam is Commenting on the event, nowadays in great demand at events such as this one. organiser Leoni Linton says: He’s joined at this month’s get-together by Keir Dullea “Visitors to the show are able to and Gary Lockwood, two of the stars of Stanley meet every single maker of the Kubrick’s legendary sci-fi movie, 2001: A Space craft they see, bringing to life an Odyssey. object of beauty with an under- standing of who made it, and how and why they made it. This makes every purchase both per- Spanish Riding School of jewellery and metalwork - all handmade by sonal and special - especially a local craftspeople - are available for purchase, bespoke commission, which vir- Vienna: 450th Anniversary as are numerous edible delights. This year’s tually all our exhibitors take.” Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham, exhibitors include: Emily Richard, who makes Fri 18 - Sun 20 November jewellery in precious metals; Amanda Hillier, whose limited-edition linoprints, cards and gifts are inspired by Shropshire; and Sam Hemming, who creates unusual handmade glass and gemstone beadwork jewellery.

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna is this Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, Sat 26 - Sun 27 November month celebrating its 450th anniversary with a Warley National series of exclusive shows in Birmingham and Juggling jesters, giant puppets, swashbuckling Model Railway London. sword fighters and a marvellous medley of Exhibition The shows are hosted by TV presenter and medieval musicians all play their part in British Dressage Ambassador Nicki Chapman. ensuring an engaging and entertaining experi- NEC, Birmingham, Commenting on her involvement, Nicki said: ence for visitors to this ever-popular event - as Sat 26 - Sun 27 November “Spanish Riding School of Vienna tours are do more than 100 stall holders selling food, The organisers of this long-run- rare and exceptional. I’ve witnessed first hand drink and seasonal wares. ning event - this month’s exhibi- these graceful horses thrilling crowds with “I’m delighted by the range of new entertain- tion is the 49th edition of the their astonishing combination of elegance and ment we’ve secured for this year’s show,” says show - have very sensibly got an power. This is an extraordinary, once-in-a-life- Paul Saunders, artistic director of the fayre eye to the future, ensuring time opportunity to witness these world- and a musician and performer in his own there’s plenty for youngsters to renowned horses performing in the UK, during right. “Not only do we have great new music, enjoy across the two days. the academy’s momentous 450th anniversary theatre and live shows, but we’ve also got a Kids’ attractions include a num- year.” fantastic new range of workshops for visitors ber of layouts designed for chil- of all ages to enjoy, from music and instrument dren to operate and a Junior making right through to dancing.” Modellers Workshop, in which Gorgeous Christmas budding engineers can put their skills to the test. Craft Fair The show features more than 90 Enginuity, Ironbridge, Sat 19 - Sun 20 November layouts in total, as well as Held in association with the Shropshire Guild numerous demonstrations, of Contemporary Craft, this popular event pro- plenty of trade stands and, as a vides a showcase for the region’s creative tal- rather impressive centrepiece, four full-sized locomotives. ent. Furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles, Tryzna

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Your week to week listings guide November 2016 thelist

Ice Skate Birmingham in Centenary Square, Sat 19 Nov - Sun 8 Jan 8 Sun - Nov 19 Sat Square, Centenary in Birmingham Skate Ice

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

What’s On Tues 1 to Sun 6 November Mon 7 to Sun 13 November Mon 14 to Sun 20 November Mon 21 to Wed 30 November

The National Pet Show at the Tom Odell at O2 Academy, Jess Glynne at Genting Arena, BRB’s The Nutcracker at NEC Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham Hippodrome Sat 5 - Sun 6 November Sat 12 November Fri 18 November Fri 25 November until Tues 13 December

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thelist Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER Gigs THE PASTORAL AND THE SUBLIME Visual Arts HAWKLORDS Tues 1 Showcasing three watercolours by Nov, The Robin, Bilston Birmingham-born artist David Cox, as well as watercolours, drawings and SYD ARTHUR Tues 1 Birmingham Museum & Nov, The Rainbow Art Gallery prints by Gainsborough, Turner and Constable, among others, until Sun 8 Venues, Birmingham NEW NIGHT IN THE MUSEUM Leading Jan CORY HENRY & THE British artist Ryan Gander has select- mac, Birmingham FUNK APOSTLES Tues 1 ed artworks from the Arts Council Nov, The Glee Club, Collection which appear to be Birmingham DIALOGUE: DÉRACINER Exhibition by Bonfire Radicals - Hare & Hounds, Birmingham involved in the act of looking, Sat 26 the Anglo/French group Dialogue, a TELEGRAM Tues 1 Nov, Nov - Sun 12 Feb collaboration focused on ideas and Hare & Hounds, B’ham ROXY MAGIC Thurs 3 The Robin, Bilston objects associated with borders, THE WEDDING CRASHERS Grand Union Nov, The Robin, Bilston mapping and historical references Tues 1 Nov, The Jam THE OASIS EXPERIENCE NEW QUEERZONE3000 IN RESIDENCE AT between France and England, until House, Birmingham 3 DOORS DOWN Thurs 3 Sat 5 Nov, The GRAND UNION Nov, O2 Academy, Roadhouse, B’ham Representatives from Sun 27 Nov SPOTTED DOG JAZZ Birmingham the group will spend a week inhabit- MADE AT MAC: THE ART OF COMPUTER TUESDAYS Tues 1 Nov, THE NICK ROSS ing the Mathew Parkin installation GAMES AND ANIMATION The Spotted Dog, MULTI STORY Thurs 3 ORCHESTRA: SOUNDS OF slope-tend-big, developing a film Showcasing Birmingham Nov, The Roadhouse, THE GLENN MILLER ERA titled Do You Really Want To Hurst the work of participants from the ani- B’ham Sat 5 Nov, Artrix, BLUES PILLS Tues 1 Me, exploring the social histories of mation courses for children and Bromsgrove Nov, The Slade Rooms, IRON FIST OF THE SUN, Birmingham’s Hurst Street and its young people, until Sun 8 Jan Wolverhampton KHOST, TUNNELS OF AH ELAINE PAIGE Sat 5 Nov, surrounding communities, Tues 15 - BOM (B’ham Open Media) & STECKDOSE Thurs 3 Symphony Hall, B’ham WILL JOS EPH COOK Tues Fri 18 Nov LIFE ECHO Justin Wigan's first solo Nov, Hare & Hounds, 1 Nov, The Sunflower DANCE GAVIN DANCE Sat show is a groundbreaking experi- Bimingham Ikon Gallery Lounge, Birmingham 5 Nov, O2 Institute, ment in sound and memory. The SARA BARKER A major museum exhi- DIANE SHAW Thurs 3 Birmingham exhibition features specially HONNE Tues 1 Nov, O2 bition by Glasgow-based artist Sara Nov, The Jam House, designed pods and invites the public Institute, Birmingham AMON AMARTH Sat 5 Barker, presented by Ikon in collabo- B’ham Nov, O2 Academy, to participate in a fascinating experi- JMSN Tues 1 Nov, Hare ration with The Fruitmarket Gallery, FLAMINGODS Thurs 3 Birmingham ment by creating their most powerful & Hounds, Birmingham Edinburgh, until Sun 27 Nov life memory triggers, until Sat 28 Jan Nov, The Sunflower SCORPION CHILD Sat 5 ANDY IRVINE Wed 2 MAHTAB HUSSAIN AT CAFÉ OPUS A Lounge, Birmingham Nov, The Rainbow Nov, The Red Lion Folk selection of tintype photographic SMOOVE & TURRELL Fri Venues, Birmingham Museum of The Jewellery Club, Birmingham portraits made by artist Mahtab Quarter 4 Nov, Hare & Hounds, LEGENDARY NIGHT IN BEAR'S DEN Wed 2 Nov, Hussain, until Sun 27 Nov Birmingham Birmingham Sat 5 Nov, COLLECTING BIRMINGHAM: STORIES O2 Institute, B’ham MITTI KA GUR - CLAY HOUSE A scaled THAT SHOULD BE SHARED The first in a TRU GROOVE Fri 4 Nov - O2 Academy, B’ham GABRIELLE Wed 2 Nov, replica of a traditional Pakistani clay series of four exhibitions showcasing Sat 5 Nov, The Jam GOSPEL GOES CHARITY Birmingham Town Hall house, showcasing miniature clay objects collected from local people, House, Birmingham 2016 Sat 5 Nov, houses made by visitors to The telling their stories of life in REBECCA FERGUSON MERCHANDISE Fri 4 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall Auspicious Journey this summer, Wed 2 Nov, Symphony Birmingham, until Sat 31 Dec The Sunflower Lounge, SWEAT Sat 5 Nov, Hare until Sun 6 Nov Hall, Birmingham Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham Other THE STYLISTICS Wed 2 VOODOO SIOUX, THEIA & HUSK Sat 5 Nov, O2 Nov, The Jam House, The Library of Birmingham NEW SOLIHULL AMATEUR NAKED SUNDAY Fri 4 Academy, Birmingham Birmingham BIRMINGHAM BIG ART PROJECT The WATERCOLOUR ARTISTS EXHIBITION Nov, Route 44, B’ham An ICE NINE KILLS Sat 5 exhibition presents the five shortlist- GERRY COLVIN BAND BUGZY MALONE Fri 4 exhibition of paintings by the talented Nov, The Rainbow ed artists’ proposals for a major new Wed 2 Nov, Blue Piano Nov, O2 Institute, Solihull Amateur Watercolour Venues, Birmingham work of public art for the city of Restaurant And Bar, Birmingham Artists. Instructed by award- Birmingham, to be completed in Birmingham SAXON Sun 6 Nov, winning artist John Hopkin, Wed 2 - FRED SKIDMORE TRIO Fri Wulfrun Hall, 2018, until Sun 4 Dec TELEMAN Wed 2 Nov, Mon 14 Nov, The Core Theatre, 4 Nov, Blue Piano Wolverhampton Solihull The Slade Rooms, Restaurant And Bar, RBSA Gallery NEW FRAME16 PHOTOGRAPHY Wolverhampton Birmingham NOLA INSPIRED Sun 6 EXHIBITION Nov, The Roadhouse, NEW GRAHAM BLAINE RBSA MARTIN TURNER EX BRING ME THE HORIZON A selection Exhibition celebrating the Birmingham creativity and diversity of photogra- WISHBONE ASH Wed 2 Fri 4 Nov, Barclaycard of delicate watercolours of trees in BONFIRE RADICALS Sun phy in Birmingham and the West Nov, The Robin, Bilston Arena, Birmingham the landscape and boats, Mon 7 Nov 6 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Midlands, Sat 5 - Sun 13 Nov, GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, - Sat 7 Jan WOMEN IN ROCK Fri 4 Birmingham NEW MEMBERS AND ASSOCIATES 2016 Millennium Point & Eastside Park, FUNK AND SOUL OPEN Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham MIC NIGHT Wed 2 Nov, Birmingham KSI Sun 6 Nov, O2 Exhibition of work by RBSA members NEW GALLERY 12 ANNUAL EXHIBITION The Night Owl, B’ham Institute, Birmingham and associates, Wed 16 Nov - Sat 24 2016 KT TUNSTALL Fri 4 Nov, DEVINES Sun 6 Nov, Dec A collective of artists, based in THE MOUSE OUTFIT Wed Symphony Hall, B’ham NEW HEINKE JENKINS RBSA and around Birmingham, showcasing 2 Nov, Hare & Hounds, Kitchen Garden Cafe, PJ HARVEY Fri 4 Nov, A selection a wide variety of artwork, including Birmingham Birmingham Starworks Warehouse, of atmospheric lino and woodcut paintings, jewellery, fine art photo- prints focusing on travel and move- ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN Wolverhampton LIVE & LET ROCK Sun 6 graphs, pieces of decoupage, pottery Thurs 3 Nov, Wulfrun ment, Mon 21 - Sat 14 Jan CORINNE BAILEY RAE Fri Nov, The Robin, Bilston NEW USHA KHOSLA RBSA and prints, Fri 11 - Sun 13 Nov, Hall, Wolverhampton Usha’s Woodbridge Gallery, Moseley, 4 Nov, O2 Institute, THE MISSION Sun 6 ceramic vessels have textured sur- Birmingham CARRIE RODRIGUEZ Birmingham Nov, O2 Institute, NEW ‘CITY' EXHIBITION BY RUNNING Thurs 3 Nov, Kitchen faces based on the colours and ASHLEY ALLEN QUINTET Birmingham STITCH TEXTILE GROUP Garden Cafe, forms of the landscape, Mon 28 Nov Fri 4 Nov, Symphony THE MEN THAT WILL NOT The group, Birmingham - Sat 21 Jan consisting of eight local textile artists, Hall, Birmingham BE BLAMED FOR SHAWN KLUSH - ELVIS display new work inspired by the THE READY EDDIES Fri 4 NOTHING Sun 6 Nov, O2 The Barber Institute WORLD TOUR Thurs 3 images and colours of the urban Nov, The Robin, Bilston Academy, Birmingham BURIED TREASURES Exhibition explor- landscape, Wed 16 - Mon 28 Nov, Nov, Civic Hall, SHAM 69 Sat 5 Nov, THE SKULL + WITCH ing coin hoards, telling the stories of The Core Theatre, Solihull Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall, MOUNTAIN Sun 6 Nov, their deposition and discovery, until JACK SAVORETTI Thurs 3 Wolverhampton The Rainbow Venues, Sun 26 Feb 2017 Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham Birmingham BON GIOVI Sat 5 Nov,

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Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November

The Victoria, Birmingham Classical Music PETER WHITE, ADAM KAY, BEN BRIGGS & YIANNI AGISILAOU Thurs 3 Nov, The George Hotel, Lichfield GILBERT AND SULLIVAN'S PATIENCE The Erdington Operatic Society present ROB DEERING, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN Gilbert & Sullivan’s clever and amus- & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY ing satire, with music ranging from ROBINSON Thurs 3 Nov, The Glee idyllic charm to brash, military patri- Club, Birmingham otism, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Sutton WV1 COMEDY Fri 4 Nov, Molineux Coldfield Town Hall Stadium, Wolverhampton CBSO: BRAHMS' SECOND Featuring the LLOYD GRIFFITH, ADAM BLOOM, City Of Birmingham Symphony ANDREW RYAN & DAVE LONGLEY Fri 4 Orchestra, Cristian Macelaru (con- Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham ductor) & Simon Trpceski (piano). ROB DEERING, SEAN MCLOUGHLIN, Programme includes works by KEVIN CARTHY & ANDREW WATTS Fri 4 - Dvorak, Bartok & Brahms, Thurs 3 Sat 5 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LLOYD GRIFFITH, IAN COGNITO, ANDREW KALICHSTEIN-LAREDO-ROBINSON TRIO RYAN & DAVE LONGLEY Sat 5 Nov, The Featuring Jaime Laredo (violin), Comedy Loft, Birmingham Sharon Robinson (cello) & Joseph Kalichstein (piano). Programme GLENDA JAXSON, OLA, KEVIN J & JOHN includes works by Beethoven, SIMMIT Sun 6 Nov, mac, Birmingham Shostakovich & Brahms, Fri 4 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall BINCHOIS CONSORT In Praise of Saints: English Music and Midlands Alabasters in the Fifteenth Century, Theatre Fri 4 Nov, The Barber Institute, Police Cops - Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham Birmingham THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN Based on Chaucer's The Knight's Tale, The Two Theatre cinematic style and uncompromising Noble Kinsmen is attributed to John THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE St facial hair, Sat 5 Nov, Old joint Stock Fletcher and William Shakespeare, Alphege Musical Production Society Theatre, Birmingham and is best described as a tragicom- present an amateur version of the ALFIE WHITE SPACE EXPLORER A cos- edy exploring the intoxication and toe-tapping musical, Tues 1 - Sat 5 mic tale of adventure and discovery strangeness of love, until Tues 7 Feb, Nov, The Core, Solihull for children aged five-plus, Sat 5 Nov, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- PATIENCE Erdington Operatic Society Lichfield Garrick Avon present an amateur production of BETH VYSE: AS FUNNY AS CANCER Join THE ROVER Aphra Behn's anarchic Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, Beth as she talks about her Stoke- restoration comedy, rich with seduc- Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Sutton Coldfield on-Trent family, The Waltons on alco- tion, intrigue and danger, set in the Town Hall hol, her time with Nelson Mandela, topsy-turvy world of the carnival. acting and thieving at the Royal CITY OF BIRMINGHAM CHOIR: SONGS HEADS WILL ROLL Told By An Idiot Loveday Ingram directs, until Sat 11 Shakespeare Company, settling FROM A CHANGING WORLD Programme present a dark comedy about delu- Feb, The Swan Theatre, Stratford- down with Michael Jackson and find- includes works by Elgar, Walton, sion, vanity and the corruption of upon-Avon ing cancer, Sat 5 Nov, Artrix, Tippett, Brahms & contemporary power, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, The REP, Bromsgrove composer, Bob Chilcott, Sun 6 Nov, THE EXORCIST Unleashed for the first Birmingham time in a uniquely theatrical experi- Bramall Music Building, Birmingham THE TEMPEST: A STORYTELLING THE STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL & MR ence, until Sat 5 Nov, The REP, HYDE An intimate and haunting sci- EX CATHEDRA: BACH MASS IN B MINOR Shakespeare’s powerful tale, pre- Birmingham ence fiction classic, Sat 5 - Sat 12 Featuring Jeffrey Skidmore (conduc- sented by award-winning storyteller Nov, Oldbury Rep tor), Elizabeth Adams, Katie DRACULA: THE MUSICAL Amateur pro- Maria Whatton, Wed 2 Nov, Lichfield Trethaway & Amy Wood (sopranos); duction presented by Blue Orange Garrick OLIVER SAMUELS IN GUILT TRIP New Arts and Night Project Theatre, until Harriet Houghman Slade & Martha AN AUDIENCE WITH SIR RANULPH comedy drama which reminds us Sat 5 Nov, The Blue Orange Theatre, McLorinan (altos); Jeremy Budd FIENNES An evening with ‘the world's that knowledge from your past can Birmingham (tenor) & Thomas Flint & Greg greatest living explorer', Wed 2 Nov, turn out to be cruel, but can also be Skidmore (bass), Sun 6 Nov, HENRY V The Crescent Theatre The Bramall, Birmingham a powerful and invigorating force, Birmingham Town Hall Company present Shakespeare’s Sun 6 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, CATS A West Bromwich Youth Theatre epic history play, until Sat 5 Nov, Birmingham production, Wed 2 - Sat 5 Nov, Crescent Theatre, Birmingham Lichfield Garrick CLOUD CUCKOO LAND: DING DONG An WHAT SHADOWS Roxana Silbert-direct- interactive musical play about ‘time’ THE HITCHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE FAMILY ed play starring Ian McDiarmid as for younger children, Sun 6 Nov, A multimedia road trip that asks Enoch Powell, until Sat 12 Nov, The mac, Birmingham Comedy Gigs searching questions about identity, REP, Birmingham Fri 4 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove BEYOND THE BARRICADE Hit songs THE MOUSETRAP Touring production from legendary West End and TAPE FACE Tues 1 Nov, Wulfrun Hall, COULROPHOBIA Pickled Image present of Agatha Christie's famous thriller - Broadway musicals, Sun 6 Nov, Wolverhampton a show featuring slapstick, mime, the longest-running show in the his- Lichfield Garrick ROB BECKETT puppetry and a lot of cardboard. Wed 2 Nov, Wulfrun tory of British theatre, Mon 31 Oct - Contains nudity and some strong Hall, Wolverhampton Sat 5 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, language, Fri 4 Nov, mac, BILLY CONNOLLY Wed 2 - Thurs 3 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS MRS GUIDO FAULKES ENTERTAINS Rip- JAMES ACASTER Wed 2 Nov, Stafford LEMONS Theatre’s award-winning Dance roaring comedy with songs, bombs, Gatehouse Theatre debut show examines how we bullets and busty bawdiness aplenty, express ourselves, personally and MRS BARBARA NICE, SALLY-ANNE Fri 4 Nov, Lichfield Garrick VAMOS CUBA New show from HAYWARD, JULIET MEYERS & MAUREEN politically, through the lens of one acclaimed Cuban choreographer POLARIS The chilling horror of a reali- YOUNGER Wed 2 Nov, Kitchen Garden couple’s relationship, Tues 1 - Wed 2 Nilda Guerra which fuses traditional ty shattered and a splintered exis- Cafe, Birmingham Nov, mac, Birmingham and modern dance styles including tence in turmoil... . Fri 4 Nov, The Old salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha and reg- DAVE SPIKEY Thurs 3 Nov, Stafford HOME AT SEVEN Brian Capron and Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham gaeton, Tues 1 - Sat 5 Nov, Gatehouse Theatre Jenny Funnell star in a staging of RC Sherriff's well-crafted thriller, Tues 1 - POLICE COPS Action-packed hour of Birmingham Hippodrome MANILLA ROAD COMEDY Thurs 3 Nov, Sat 5 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand adrenaline-fuelled physical theatre, PATTERN RECOGNITION Using moving

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thelist Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 November lights which can track and intelligent- Birmingham, Sat 5 Nov ly respond to the dancers, Pattern THE MATRIX TRILOGY (15) Action/Sci-Fi. Recognition opens up questions Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence about learning and memory in rela- Fishburne. The Mockingbird, tion to the technology of artificial Birmingham, Sat 5 Nov intelligence, Thurs 3 - Fri 4 Nov, DanceXchange, Birmingham OH, MR. PORTER! (U) Comedy. Starring Hippodrome Will Hay. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Sun 6 Nov TEN Ace Dance & Music present a thought provoking full length dance production combining contemporary dance with an essence of Flamenco, NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Kathak, Martial Arts and Ballet, Fri 4 Nov, mac, Birmingham Released from Tues 1 Nov, showing at selected cinemas THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (12a) Thurs 3 Nov, showing at selected cinemas Talks / DENNIS VIOLLET: A UNITED MAN (tbc) Fri 4 Nov, showing at selected cine- Spoken Word mas THE ACCOUNTANT (15) JOE KELLEHER: ON THEATRE AND POLI- NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (15) TICS Joe Kelleher’s lecture considers RUPTURE (15) a number of questions about how A STREET CAT NAMED BOB (12a) the contemporary theatre seeks to engage politically with the world THE DARKEST UNIVERSE (15) around it, with the consequences of history and also with what is going Patterm Recognitioon - DanceXchange, Birmingham Hippodrome on right now, Fri 4 Nov, The REP, Birmingham ed, Sat 5 Nov, Dudley Canal Tunnel SHARK WEEK See sharks in all shapes Events and Limestone Mines and sizes and learn to identify differ- FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT - DOUBLE ent types, Sat 5 - Sun 13 Nov, National Sea Life Centre, GINO D'ACAMPO SIGNING Gino HEADER Sat 5 Nov, Ricoh Arena, Birmingham D'Acampo signs copies of his latest Coventry book, Gino's Hidden Italy, Thurs 3 TEXTILES STORIES Use your own fami- Film Nov, Waterstones - High St, ly history (or other old documents) to Birmingham create a personal artwork, Sat 5 Nov, INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: CRAFTS FOR CHRISTMAS The perfect Black Country Living Museum, place to start your Christmas prepa- Dudley Bonfires & rations, with a host of gifts you BIG AMATEUR WEEKEND Become an BADEN BADEN (15) Comedy/Drama. wouldn’t usually find on the high RSC actor for the weekend and Firework Starring Salomé Richard & Claude street, Thurs 3 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, experience how the performers and Gensac. Foreign language, subtitled. Birmingham directors prepare and rehearse for a Displays mac, Birmingham, until Wed 2 Nov ART MATERIALS LIVE Hone your paint- show, Sat 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Royal MY SCIENTOLOGY MOVIE (15) Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford- ing skills and pick up top tips from THE VALE FIREWORKS Thurs 3 Nov, Documentary. Starring Rob Alter, upon-Avon the experts via a variety of free work- The Vale Park, Edgbaston Tom Cruise, Paz de la Huerta. mac, shops and demonstrations, Thurs 3 - THE NATIONAL PET SHOW 2015 VICTORIA PARK FIREWORKS Fri 4 Nov, Birmingham, until Thurs 3 Nov Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham Featuring hundreds of different ani- Victoria Park, Smethwick DOCTOR STRANGE (12A) THE STITCHING, SEWING & HOBBYCRAFT mals, animal action displays, inform- EDGBASTON STADIUM FIREWORKS Action/Adventure. Starring Benedict SHOW Supplies, innovations, demon- ative talks and demonstrations, Sat 5 SPECTACULAR Sat 5 Nov, Edgbaston Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton. Electric strations and workshops, Thurs 3 - - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham Stadium Cinema, Birmingham, until Thurs 3 Sun 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham THE SOOTY SHOW: SOOTY IN SPACE Sat Nov SOLIHULL ROUND TABLE FIREWORKS CAKE INTERNATIONAL The Sugarcraft, 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Cadbury World, DISPLAY Sat 5 Nov, Tudor Grange THE ANGELS' SHARE (18) Cake Decorating & Baking Show Bournville, Birmingham Park, Solihull Comedy/Drama. Starring Paul makes a welcome return, Fri 4 - Sun THE GUNPOWDER TREASON WEEKEND A Brannigan, Siobhan Reilly. Electric 6 Nov, NEC, Birmingham weekend dedicated to the FIREWORKS DISPLAY Sat 5 Nov, Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 3 Nov Birmingham Botanical Gardens DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY Digbeth comes Gunpowder Plot, including a 35- CINEMA BAMBINO: FINDING DORY (U) alive on the first Friday of each minute family play delivered by re- BONIFRE NIGHT AT SUTTON COLDFIELD’S Animation/Comedy. Starring Ellen month with exhibitions, late-night enactors Sir Robert Cecil's Men, Sat RFC Sat 5 Nov, Roger Smoldon DeGeneres (voice), Albert Brooks openings, special events, culture in 5 - Sun 6 Nov, Blakesley Hall, Ground, Sutton Coldfield (voice). mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 Nov unexpected spaces, live music, street Birmingham MAGIC MIKE (15) Comedy/Drama. food and more, Fri 4 Nov, Digbeth, Starring Channing Tatum, Alex Birmingham Pettyfer. The Mockingbird, THE NATIONAL GRADUATE RECRUITMENT Birmingham, Fri 4 Nov EXHIBITION The UK’s leading gradu- SONITA (15) Documentary. Starring ate jobs fair offers the chance to dis- Sonita Alizadeh, Rokhsareh cover career opportunities across a Ghaemmaghami. Foreign language, broad range of industries, Fri 4 - Sat subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 - 5 Nov, NEC, Birmingham Wed 9 Nov MIND BODY SPIRIT WELLBEING I, DANIEL BLAKE (15) Drama. Starring FESTIVAL Featuring 100 exhibitors, 27 Dave Johns, Hayley Squires, Dylan workshops, live music, a wellbeing McKiernan. mac, Birmingham, Fri 4 - studio & spa, a ceremony space and Thurs 10 Nov a juice bar, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Nov, NEC, SCREEN JUNIORS:THE WIZ (U) Birmingham Adventure/Fantasy. Starring Diana FESTIVAL OF LIGHT Journey under- Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey. mac, ground to see the caverns illuminat- Solihull Fireworks at Tudor Grange

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thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November KING PLEASURE & THE Theatre, Solihull 10 Nov, Warwick Arts Centre, Gigs BISCUIT BOYS Thurs 10 STATESIDE ROCK Fri 11 Classical Music Coventry Nov, The Jam House, Nov, Route 44, B’ham PATRICK MONAHAN, IMRAN YUSUF & Birmingham COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH ANDY AFRO CELT SOUND THE PRIMEVALS, BLACK MILOS KARADAGLIC: BACH TO BEATLES SHOW OF HANDS WITH ROBINSON Thurs 10 Nov, The Glee SYSTEM Mon 7 Nov, BOMBERS & THE DE Also featuring the Royal Northern MIRANDA SYKES Thurs Club, Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall RELLAS Fri 11 Nov, Sinfonia. Programme includes works 10 Nov, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, JAKE LAMBERT, PAUL MCCAFFREY & SILVERSUN PICKUP Mon by JS Bach, Francisco Tarrega, Town Hall Birmingham PHIL JERROD Thurs 10 Nov, The 7 Nov, O2 Institute, Manuel De Falla, Anon, Vivaldi, THE WYTCHES Thurs 10 Bramall, Birmingham Birmingham BREAK STUFF Fri 11 Granados, Joaquin Rodrigo, Luigi Nov, O2 Institute, Nov, The Asylum, Boccherini, Carlos Gardel, Antonio JOEL DOMMETT Fri 11 Nov, The Slade SKINDRED Mon 7 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham Carlos Jobim, Astor Piazzolla & The Rooms, Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall, Beatles, Mon 7 Nov, Symphony Hall, THE CADILLAC THREE TOM ODELL Sat 12 Nov, ELLIE TAYLOR Fri 11 Nov, The Core Wolverhampton Birmingham Thurs 10 Nov, O2 O2 Academy, B’ham Theatre, Solihull TIBET Mon 7 Nov, Hare Academy, Birmingham ORCHESTRA OF THE SWAN: BACH TO RONI SIZE Sat 12 Nov, NICK PAGE, SIMON KING, SILKY & CHRIS & Hounds, Birmingham THE FUTURE Featuring Diane Clark TRAAMS Thurs 10 Nov, Hare & Hounds, B’ham PURCHASE Fri 11 Nov, Lichfield IDLES (flute); Victoria Brawn (oboe); Hugh Mon 7 Nov, O2 Hare & Hounds, Garrick Academy, Birmingham Birmingham IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC Davies (trumpet); David Le Page (vio- ROCK DISCO Sat 12 Nov, lin) & David Curtis (conductor ). PATRICK MONAHAN, IMRAN YUSUF, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN MICK FLANNERY Thurs Route 44, Birmingham Programme includes works by Bach GEORGE ZACH & JOSH HOWIE Fri 11 - Mon 7 Nov, The 10 Nov, The Glee Club, arr Steve Marland, Bach, Douglas Sat 12 Nov, The Glee Club, B’ham Rainbow Venues, Birmingham THE WAILERS Sat 12 Birmingham Nov, O2 Institute, Cuomo & Stravinsky, Wed 9 Nov, GLENN WOOL, DAN NIGHTINGALE, SCOTT TONY CHRISTIE Thurs 10 Birmingham Birmingham Town Hall BENNETT & PETE OTWAY Fri 11 - Sat 12 DELAIN Tues 8 Nov, O2 Nov, Wolverhampton A SHAKESPEARE AND VERLAINE Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham Institute, Birmingham Grand Theatre THE CLONE ROSES Sat 12 Nov, O2 Academy, SONGBOOK Featuring Carolyn FREDDIE FARRELL & ROB KEMP Sat 12 THE PAT MCMANUS BAND BONFIRE Thurs 10 Nov, Birmingham Sampson (soprano) & Jospeh Nov, mac, Birmingham Tues 8 Nov, The Robin, The Slade Rooms, Middleton (piano). Programme STONE BROKEN Sat 12 TONY BURGESS, COUNT EVIL, ANDREW Bilston Wolverhampton includes works by Schubert, Haydn, Nov, The Slade Rooms, MCBURNEY & CERYS NELMES Sat 12 UGLY KID JOE Tues 8 Purcell, Schumann, R Strauss, UNDER THE FRIDGE, Wolverhampton Nov, New Invention Victory, Willenhall Nov, Wulfrun Hall, PEARL SCAM & KIRVANA Vaughan Williams, Britten, Gurney, JIM DAVIDSON Sun 13 Nov, New Wolverhampton Thurs 10 Nov, The RICKY WARWICK AND Bush, Debussy & Faure, Wed 9 Nov, THE FIGHTING HEARTS Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham BEN CAPLAN Tues 8 Robin, Bilston The Barber Institute, Birmingham Sat 12 Nov, O2 JOSH HOWIE Sun 13 Nov, Warwick Nov, The Rainbow BRYDE + ME FOR QUEEN KEVIN VOLANS SPOTLIGHT Programme Academy, Birmingham Arts Centre, Coventry Venues, Birmingham Thurs 10 Nov, The comprises Volans' Piano Concerto ANDREW BAIN PROJECT DAVID ESSEX Tues 8 Sunflower Lounge, No.4, Fri 11 Nov, CBSO Centre, JEN BRISTER, JAYDE ADAMS, LINDSEY Sat 12 Nov, CBSO Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham SANTORO & MAUREEN YOUNGER Sun Centre, Birmingham 13 Nov, Penthouse Conference & Birmingham ALCEST AND MONO POMEGRANATE PIANO TRIO Programme THE 3RD UK BLUES Events Centre, Birmingham BASTILLE Tues 8 Nov, Thurs 10 Nov, O2 includes works by Mozart, Nicholas CHALLENGE Sat 12 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Academy, Birmingham Maw & Schubert, Fri 11 Nov, Artrix, SEAN LOCK Sun 13 Nov, Birmingham The Robin, Bilston Bromsgrove Hippodrome Birmingham ANOUSHKA SHANKAR BALAAM AND THE ANGEL SPOTTED DOG JAZZ Thurs 10 Nov, BEASTDOME: ENVISION Featuring guest Sat 12 Nov, O2 TUESDAYS Tues 8 Nov, Symphony Hall, artist Freida Abtan, Sat 12 Nov, The Institute, Birmingham The Spotted Dog, Birmingham Bramall, Birmingham Birmingham GROUPER Fri 11 Nov - MATT GOUGH & FRIENDS CBSO: SPECTACULAR CLASSICS Sat 12 Nov, Symphony Theatre SOLID AIR Tues 8 Nov, Sat 12 Nov, The Jam Featuring Anthony Inglis (conductor), Hall, Birmingham Kitchen Garden Cafe, House, Birmingham Anthony James Edwards (tenor), James Cleverton (baritone) & the THE MERCHANT OF VENICE WNO pres- Birmingham THE TOTAL STONE ROSES LACUNA COIL Sun 13 City Of Birmingham Choir. ent a new production, sung in Fri 11 Nov, The Nov, O2 Institute, LAIL ARAD Tues 8 Nov, Programme includes works by Orff, English with surtitles, Tues 8 Nov, Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham The Sunflower Lounge, Grieg, Elgar, Handel, Brahms, Bizet, Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham UK FOO FIGHTERS Fri 11 DORJE Sun 13 Nov, O2 Ravel, Wagner, Rossini, Verdi, MINISTRY OF SCIENCE Anarchic stage Nov, O2 Academy, Academy, Birmingham THE BLACK FEATHERS Tchaikovsky, Wood & Arne, Sat 12 show taking a look at the inventors Wed 9 Nov, Kitchen Birmingham NEW MODEL ARMY Sun Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham 13 Nov, O2 Institute, and engineers who’ve shaped and Garden Cafe, B’ham FRED ZEPPELIN Tribute LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA: SIMPLY Birmingham inspired the modern world, Tues 8 THE FAIR RAIN Wed 9 band to Led Zeppelin, GERSHWIN Featuring Gavin Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Fri 11 Nov, Lichfield CLARE TEAL Sun 13 Nov, The Red Lion Folk Sutherland (conductor), Viv McLean THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER A story of Guildhall Nov, Lichfield Garrick Club, Birmingham (piano), Gweneth-Ann Jeffers (sopra- comradeship, betrayal, and promises ELECTUS Wed 9 Nov, PEARL JAM U.K Fri 11 SHEELANAGIG Sun 13 no) & Njabulo Madlala (baritone), both broken and kept following the The Robin, Bilston Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, Lichfield Guildhall Sun 13 Nov, Symphony Hall, carnage of World War One, Tues 8 Birmingham Birmingham GREGORY PECK'S JAZZ, Nov, Lichfield Garrick FUNK AND SOUL OPEN HORSE MEAT DISCO Fri BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONIC BRASS Sun LIFE IS NO LAUGHING MATTER An auto- MIC NIGHT Wed 9 Nov, 11 Nov, Hare & 13 Nov, The Barber Institute, B’ham biographical live art/stand up/theatre The Night Owl, B’ham Hounds, Birmingham GROOVE TOWN: BIRMINGHAM'S VOICE performance about mental illness, LUCIA CADOTSCH Wed 9 A VISION OF ELVIS Fri 11 OF THE TOWN CHOIR Sun 13 Nov, mac, suicide and radical cure attempts, Nov, mac, Birmingham Nov, Lichfield Garrick Birmingham Tues 8 - Wed 9 Nov, mac, B’ham SERATONES Wed 9 Nov, BETH HART Fri 11 Nov, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Regent’s Park Hare & Hounds, B’ham Symphony Hall, Theatre present a new staging of Birmingham Jane Austen’s romantic comedy, THE CINEMATIC Tues 8 - Sat 12 Nov, The REP, ORCHESTRA ARCHITECTS Fri 11 Nov, Wed 9 Nov, Birmingham O2 Institute, B’ham O2 Institute, B’ham Comedy Gigs THE TEMPEST The Bard's magical GLENN HUGHES & LIVING THE REAL THING Fri 11 THE LOW ANTHEM Sun exploration of revenge, forgiveness, COLOUR Wed 9 Nov, Nov, The Robin, Bilston CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 8 Nov, 13 Nov, Hare & love and magic, Tues 8 Nov - Sat 21 Wulfrun Hall, The Dark Horse, Birmingham MARGARET GLASPY Fri Hounds, Birmingham Jan, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Wolverhampton 11 Nov, The Sunflower JONATHAN PIE Tues 8 Nov, Artrix, ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW Stratford-upon-Avon BEING AS AN OCEAN Lounge, Birmingham Bromsgrove AND THE LOW RIDERS SOME GUYS HAVE ALL THE LUCK - THE Wed 9 Nov, The TOM STADE Wed 9 Nov, The Glee STARMAN: DAVID BOWIE Sun 13 Nov, The ROD STEWART STORY Theatrical pro- Rainbow Venues, Club, Birmingham A MUSICAL CELEBRATION Robin, Bilston duction celebrating the career of one Birmingham Fri 11 Nov, The Core THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW LIVE Thurs of rock’s greatest icons, Wed 9 Nov,

56 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 7 - 13 November - Birmingham Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:05 Page 2 Why The Wh

Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November

New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham nightlife, Fri 11 Nov, Old Joint Stock MACBETH Welsh National Opera Theatre, Birmingham (WNO) present a new production of GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS Don’t Verdi’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Go Into The Cellar present an famous tragedy, Wed 9 Nov, evening of macabre Victorian theatre, Birmingham Hippodrome Sat 12 Nov, Palace Theatre, Redditch SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSI- MIRRORS AND MAKEUP Musical exam- CAL A brand new musical comedy, ining some of the key social issues created from scratch at each per- that can often compromise the devel- formance, Wed 9 Nov, Lichfield opment of young people, Sat 12 Nov, Garrick South & City College, Digbeth, FRANKENSTEIN 1899 Don’t Go Into The Birmingham Cellar update Mary Shelley’s gothic THE MAGIC FLUTE Featuring Mozart’s horror story, Thurs 10 Nov, Lichfield beautiful music and celebrating the Garrick birth of teen culture, this timeless Why The Whales Came SLEEPING BEAUTY Traditional pan- coming-of-age story explores the tomime presented by Birmingham other-worldliness which glamorous mac, Birmingham, Sun 13 November Hollywood brought to post-war Youth Theatre, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 “Danyah Miller is a storytelling phenomenon,” says War Horse Nov, The Old Rep Theatre, Britain, Sat 12 Nov, Birmingham author Michael Morpurgo of the woman who’s here presenting his Birmingham Botanical Gardens delightful adventure story, Why The Whales Came. “After seeing and KISS ME KATE Welsh National Opera DEEP IN THE HEART OF ME New play present a 1940s-set musical version featuring the music of the Sinatra-led loving her wonderful one-woman show of my story, I Believe In of Shakespeare’s The Taming Of The Rat Pack and exploring midlife anxi- Unicorns, I went back and back to see it again, in village halls and Shrew, Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Nov, ety and empty-nest syndrome, Sat theatres up and down the country, in the West End, finishing with a 12 Nov, The Wellington Hotel, Bristol Birmingham Hippodrome triumphant performance in a packed Royal Festival Hall. Street, Birmingham NABUCCO Opera & Ballet International “And now she’s bringing maybe my very favourite book to audiences present an Ellen Kent production of THERE’S NO OTHER EXCEPT ME Performance installation which invites everywhere. I shan’t miss this show. Don’t you miss it either. It will be Verdi's haunting and melodic chorus a theatrical tour de force, that’s for sure.” of the Hebrew Slaves, Fri 11 Nov, audience members to respond to the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham potential of unanticipated dialogues The award-winning Miller’s stage adaptation - mounted by her through telephonic interactions, Sat JOE BLACK: MEET ME AT THE ELDORADO Wizard Presents production company - recounts Morpurgo’s story of 12 Nov, Birmingham Open Media two children, Gracie and Daniel, who find themselves stranded on Joe Black presents an evening of (BOM), Birmingham fun, ﬁlth and frivolity that pays hom- the tiny island of the Birdman, a mysterious figure from whom age to the decadent Weimar Berlin Gracie’s father has warned her to keep well away...

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

Sunday 13 November Thursday 17 November Tuesday 22 November JACKSON LADY MAISERY MARTIN TURNER: TRIBUTE TO THE KING OF SHINING LIGHTS OF EX WISHBONE ASH POP ENGLISH FOLK MUSIC AN EVENING OF WISHBONE ASH & BEYOND

Wednesday 23 November Thursday 24 November Friday 25 November PETER KNIGHT’S AUSTENTATIOUS THINK FLOYD GIGSPANNER AN IMPROVISED JANE PLAYING DARK SIDE OF THE FEATURING EX-STEELEYE AUSTEN NOVEL MOON & WISH YOU WERE SPAN’S PETER KNIGHT HERE

COMING SOON: Martin Simpson, Nick Ross Orchestra, Beth Vyse, Jonathan Pie, Pomegranate Piano Trio, Peacock Angell, Raymond Froggatt, Glenn Tilbrook, Marcus Brigstocke, Robinson-Stone, Barnstormers Comedy, Nya’s House Of Soul, Outspoken, Mi Luna, Sunny Ormonde, Abba Forever, Winter Mountain, Seann Walsh, NYE with The Beat Brothers

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

58 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 7 - 13 November - Birmingham Only VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:05 Page 4

thelist Monday 7 - Sunday 13 November Wed 16 Nov AMERICAN PASTORAL (15) aeval battles, Fri 11 Nov - Sat 12 Film AMERICAN HONEY (15) Drama. Starring THE INNOCENTS (15) Nov, Warwick Castle Sasha Lane, Shai La Beouf, McCaul LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC Lombardi, Arielle Holmes. mac, MOTOR SHOW Featuring over 2,000 INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Birmingham, Fri 11- Thurs 17 Nov classic cars, 300 motorcycles, 600 SINS OF THE FLESH + Q&A (15) Drama. trade stands and the biggest indoor NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (PG) Comedy. Starring Nahed El Sebai, Ahmed Events autojumble, Fri 11 Nov - Sun 13 Nov, Starring Jon Heder, Efren Ramirez. Abdala Mahomud, Zaki Faten. NEC, Birmingham The Mockingbird, Birmingham, Tues Foreign language, subtitled. mac, HOOK A POPPY FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY 8 Nov Birmingham, Sat 12 Nov CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS SNOOKER - CRAFT WORKSHOP Make a poppy Featuring defending champion Neil with the craft experts and learn about THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (PG) ELSTREE 1976 (12) Documentary. Robertson and China Open winner, Drama/Horror. Starring Boris Karloff, Starring Laurie Goode. Electric rag rugging techniques, Sat 12 Nov, Judd Trump. Mon 7 Nov - Sat 12 Birmingham Back to Backs Elsa Lanchester. Electric Cinema, Cinema, Birmingham, Sat 12 Nov Nov, Ricoh Arena, Coventry Birmingham, Wed 9 Nov THE COLOR PURPLE (18) Drama. BIRMINGHAM WHISKY FESTIVAL Sat 12 WWE LIVE Popular WWE superstars Nov, Victoria Square, Birmingham BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Starring Danny Glover, Whoopi and divas, all under one roof, Wed 9 Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Oprah Nov, Genting Arena, Birmingham SILVER BANGLE WORKSHOP Join local Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Artrix, Winfrey, mac, Birmingham, Sun 13 designer-maker Grace Page to Bromsgrove, Wed 9 & Fri 11 Nov Nov FESTIVE GIFT FAIR Combine your design and make your own silver Christmas shopping with an enter- NT LIVE: THE DEEP BLUE SEA (12A) SEMBENE! + Q&A (12A) Documentary. bangle in a day, Sat 12 Nov, Museum taining, inspiring and fun day out, of the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham Drama. Starring Helen McCrory, Starring Mbissine Thérèse Diop, Thurs 10 Nov - Sun 13 Nov, NEC, Peter Sullivan. mac, Birmingham, Ousmane Sembene. mac, Birmingham CASTLE BY CANDLELIGHT Walk through Thurs 10 Nov Birmingham, Sun 13 Nov the period rooms and meet the cas- SHOUT FESTIVAL Birmingham’s tle characters, who’ll explore the use PANIC + Q&A (15) Drama/Thriller. THE WOLF MAN (PG) Drama/Horror. LGBTQ Arts Festival returns for its Starring David Gyasi, Pippa Nixon, Starring Lon Chaney Jnr., Claude of light through the ages, Sat 12 Nov, 8th edition, Thurs 10 Nov - Sun 20 Tamworth Castle Jason Wong. mac, Birmingham, Rains. Electric Cinema, Birmingham, Nov, Various locations across Thurs 10 Nov Sun 13 Nov Birmingham - including mac, Old HERITAGE WEEKEND AT CADBURY SIDEWAYS (18) Comedy/Drama. Joint Stock Theatre, Electric Cinema. WORLD Sat 12 - Sun 13 Nov, Cadbury Starring Paul Giamatti, Thomas BOM, Birmingham, The Penthouse, World, Bournville, Birmingham Haden Church. Electric Cinema, and Birmingham REP. SEVENTEENTH CENTURY GAMES WEEK- Birmingham, Thurs 10 Nov NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: For full details of performances and END Including nine men's morris, ETHEL & ERNEST (15) Released from Thurs 10 Nov, show- events, visit shoutfestival.co.uk card and dice games, Sat 12 - Sun Animation/Drama. Starring Jim ing at selected cinemas LITTLE WARRIOR WEEKENDS Teach 13 Nov, Moseley Old Hall, Broadbent, Pam Ferris, Luke ARRIVAL (12A) your little warriors the skills required Wolverhampton Treadaway. mac, Birmingham, Fri 11- A HUNDRED STREETS (15) to conquer fierce dragons and medi-

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thelist Monday 14 - Sun 20 November Thurs 17 Nov, O2 Nov, O2 Academy, & Zoe Goodwin (conductors), Sat 19 Gigs Academy, Birmingham Birmingham Classical Music Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham THE HOLLIES Thurs 17 AMONG THE ECHOES, THE RAF IN CONCERT 2016 Sun 20 Nov, Nov, Symphony Hall, JAN DOYLE BAND, THE Symphony Hall, Birmingham MOLLY HATCHET Mon LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT - THOMAS Birmingham WEBB & WRAPPED IN 14 Nov, The Robin, TROTTER Programme includes works CEMPR AND EARLY MODERN VOCAL PLASTIC Sat 19 Nov, Bilston THE SKATALITES Thurs by Bach, A Guilmant, G Edmundson, ENSEMBLE Featuring Music Secreta, 17 Nov, Hare & The Flapper, B’ham Sun 20 Nov, The Barber Institute, NATHANIEL RATELIFF C.Saint-Saens (arr. Lemare) & L Hounds, Birmingham THE ATLANTIC PLAYERS Birmingham AND THE NIGHT SWEATS Boellmann, Mon 14 Nov, Birmingham Sat 19 Nov, Hare & Mon 14 Nov, O2 KINDRED THE FAMILY Town Hall Hounds, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham SOUL & TRINA HORÃCIO FERREIRA IN RECITAL Also fea- BROUSSARD Thurs 17 SLAVES Sat 19 Nov, O2 IS BLISS Mon 14 Nov, turing David Bekker (piano). Nov, O2 Institute, Academy, Birmingham The Sunflower Programme includes works by Béla Birmingham Comedy Gigs Lounge, Birmingham REBEL REBEL (DAVID Kovács, Schumannm, Françaix, WALLIS BIRD Thurs 17 BOWIE TRIBUTE) Sat 19 Weber, Kimmo Hakola & Brahms, Mon ANATHEMA Mon 14 Nov, The Glee Club, Nov, Route 44, B’ham 14 Nov, Birmingham Town Hall JENNY ECLAIR Mon 14 Nov, Lichfield Nov, The Slade Birmingham Garrick Rooms, ROBINSON-STONE Sat VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTS Wolverhampton CHANGO SPASIUK Thurs 19 Nov, Artrix, RACHMANINOV'S SYMPHONY NO 1 17 Nov, mac, B’ham Bromsgrove Featuring Philharmonia Orchestra & OLIVIA ROSE DEANE AND Alice Sara Ott. Programme includes RED BUTLER Thurs17 LAURA MVULA Sat 19 SOPHIA MARSHALL Mon works by Borodin, Tchaikovsky & Nov, The Roadhouse, Nov, O2 Institute, 14 Nov, Kitchen Rachmaninov, Tues 15 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham Garden Cafe, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham KING KING Fri 18 Nov, PETE WYLIE & THE MIRGA CONDUCTS MAHLER'S FIRST The Robin, Bilston MIGHTY WAH! Sat 19 THE WAVE PICTURES Featuring Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla (con- Nov, O2 Academy, Mon 14 Nov, Hare & MIKE STEWART ductor) & the City of Birmingham Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham LAWRENCE Fri 18 Nov, Symphony Orchestra. Programme MUTANT MONSTER / Dovehouse Theatre, QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA includes works by Serksnyte, Haydn & TOUCH MY SECRET Mon Solihull Sat 19 Nov, Symphony Mahler, Wed 16 Nov, Symphony Hall, RUSSELL KANE Thurs 17 Nov, Stratford 14 Nov, Hare & THE DISCLAIMERS Fri 18 Hall, Birmingham Birmingham Artshouse, Stratford-upon-Avon Hounds, Birmingham Nov, The REP, IAN SIEGAL BAND Sat THE 12 ENSEMBLE Programme includes LUCKY CHOPS Mon 14 Birmingham 19 Nov, Lichfield 3 British works from the ensembles NATHAN CATON Thurs 17 Nov, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton Nov, O2 Institute, JESS GLYNNE Fri 18 Guildhall forthcoming album along with Birmingham Nov, Genting Arena, THE VAPORS & THE Schubert's Overture in C minor, and STEVE WILLIAMS, JOHN HASTING & JULIA FORDHAM Tues Birmingham CIRCLES Sat 19 Nov, Elgar's Elegy for Strings, Wed 16 Nov, COMIC TBC Thurs 17 Nov, The Glee The Bramall, Birmingham Club, Birmingham 15 Nov, mac, THE GRAVELTONES Fri The Slade Rooms, Birmingham 18 Nov, The Flapper, Wolverhampton LAURA MONMOTH & COMICS TBC Thurs GLENN TILBROOK - THE Birmingham LOST AT HOME Sat 19 17 Nov, The Roadhouse, Birmingham BEST OF TIMES Tues 15 PURE PURPLE & THE Nov, O2 Institute, SUZI RUFFELL Fri 18 Nov, The Glee Nov, Artrix, SKYCAT HEROS Fri 18 Birmingham Club, Birmingham Bromsgrove Nov, Route 44, B’ham LEADER Sat 19 Nov, JERRY SADOWITZ Fri 18 Nov, Crescent JACK GARRATT Tues 15 JAKE MORLEY Fri 18 The Asylum, B’ham Theatre, Birmingham Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, The Sunflower ANDY WHITE Sun 20 STEVE WILLIAMS, JOHN HASTINGS, Birmingham Lounge, Birmingham Nov, Kitchen Garden ELLIOT STEEL & ANDREW MCBURNEY Fri IAN MCNABB Tues 15 PUBLIC IMAGE LTD Fri Cafe, Birmingham 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The Glee Club, Nov, Hare & Hounds, 18 Nov, O2 Institute, WALKING ON CARS Sun Birmingham Birmingham Birmingham 20 Nov, O2 Institute, BRAHMS CLARINET QUINTET Featuring DAMIAN CLARK, KIRI PRITCHARD- Oliver Janes (clarinet), Charlotte ALEX CAMERON Tues 15 CARAVAN PALACE Fri 18 Birmingham MCLEAN, MARK NELSON & JEFF Skinner & Caroline Simon (violin), Nov, Hare & Hounds, Nov, O2 Academy, SIMPLY RED Sun 20 INNOCENT Fri 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The Catherine Bower (viola) & Eduardo Birmingham Birmingham Nov, Genting Arena, Comedy Loft, Birmingham Vassallo (cello). Programme includes Birmingham COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS DANNY GILES BAND, CHILDREN OF THE works by Howells & Brahms, Thurs 17 Sat 19 Nov, The SALVATION JAYNE & THE GRAVY - BLACK SAB- THE SOLID GOLD ROCK N Nov, CBSO Centre, Birmingham REP, Birmingham RAINBREAKERS Tues 15 BATH TRIBUTE Fri 18 ROLL SHOW Sun 20 CBSO FRIDAY NIGHT CLASSICS: QUEEN - WHITE YARDIE Sat 19 Nov, New Nov, The Robin, Nov, The Roadhouse, Nov, New Alexandra ROCK AND SYMPHONIC SPECTACULAR Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Bilston Birmingham Theatre, Birmingham Featuring the City Of Birmingham PATRICK MONAHAN, JARRED CHRISTMAS, KRISTIN HERSH Tues 15 KALEO Fri 18 Nov, O2 SARAH GILLESPIE Choir, Richard Sidwell (conductor), BEC HILL & TIERNAN DOUIEB Sat 19 Nov, Nov, The Glee Club, Institute, Birmingham QUARTET Sun 20 Nov, Ricardo Afonso, Peter Eldridge, Jenna The REP, Birmingham Birmingham Lichfield Guildhall SHAUN GAMBOWL Lee James & Rachael Wooding (vocal- MARKUS BIRDMAN, TONY BURGESS, SOFT MACHINE Wed 16 WALSH AND THE JIMMY EAT WORLD Sun ists), Fri 18 Nov, Symphony Hall, MICKY P KERR & BOBBY MAIR Sat 19 Nov, The Robin, PLAGIATISTS Fri 18 20 Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham Nov, Couture, Stafford Bilston Nov, O2 Academy, Birmingham MUSICA SECRETA Featuring Deborah RYLEY WALKER Wed 16 Birmingham JOHN OTWAY BAND Sun Roberts & Katherine Hawnt (sopra- Nov, Hare & Hounds, THE GLAMOPHONES Fri 20 Nov, Hare & nos), Alison Kinder (viola) & Claire Birmingham 18 Nov, The Blue Hounds, Birmingham Williams (harpsichord), Fri 18 Nov, The VIN GARBUTT Wed 16 Monkey Club, Great TRIVAX Sun 20 Nov, Barber Institute, Birmingham Theatre Nov, The Red Lion Barr, Birmingham O2 Academy, B’ham Folk Club, Birmingham ALLIGATR Fri 18 Nov, ROAM + LIKE PACIFIC + THE FULL MONTY Gary Lucy, Anthony O2 Institute, B’ham TOO HIGH TO RIOT TOUR COLUMBUS Sun 20 Lewis, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Wed 16 Nov, O2 JAM JAH SOUND Fri 18 Nov, The Rainbow Chris Fountain and Kai Owen star in Institute, Birmingham Nov, Hare & Hounds, Venues, Birmingham the much-acclaimed musical based on DANNY BROWN Wed 16 Birmingham PETE LINCOLN Sun 20 the smash-hit film of the same name, Nov, The Rainbow TOO REX - TRIBUTE TO Nov, The Roadhouse, Mon 14 - Sat 19 Nov, Birmingham Venues, Birmingham MARC BOLAN & T-REX Birmingham Hippodrome ALABAMA 3 Thurs 17 Sat 19 Nov, The OUR HOUSE Featuring Madness songs Roadhouse, B’ham Nov, O2 Institute, WIND BAND AND SAX CHOIR Featuring Our House, Baggy Trousers, My Girl, Birmimgham THE ANSWER AND THE the University Music Society and Embarrassment, Driving In My Car, THE COURTEENERS DEAD DAISIES Sat 19 Matthew Stephens-Row, Harry Hextall The Wings Of A Dove, Night Boat To

60 whatsonlive.co.uk The List 14 - 20 November - Birmingham ONLY VERSION.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:11 Page 2

Monday 14 - Sun 20 November

Cairo and all-time classic It Must Be sively hetero-normative world, Wed Love, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Nov, 18 - Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Birmingham 9 TO 5 Based on the 1980 hit movie, POLARI Curated and hosted by this funny musical show is presented author Paul Burston and featuring by St Augustine’s Musical Theatre the best in established and emerging Company, Tues 15 - Sat 19 Nov, The LGBT literary talent, Sat 19 Nov, mac, Core Theatre, Solihull Birmingham BEAUTIFUL THING Jonathan Harvey’s RELATIVELY SPEAKING The Crescent critically acclaimed urban love story, Theatre Company presents Alan Wed 16 - Sat 19 Nov, Old Joint Stock Ayckbourn’s classic comedy, Sat 19 Theatre, Birmingham Nov - Sat 3 Dec, Crescent Theatre, LOOKING FOR JOHN Powerful, heartfelt Birmingham and comic story about one man’s KATE O’DONNELL & CONTACT; BIG GIRLS obsession with his forgotten hero, BLOUSE Kate makes a song and Olympic skater John Curry, Wed 16 - dance about her life, using humour, Sat 19 Nov, The REP, Birmingham music and costume to tell her story, PSYCHIC SALLY - CALL ME PSYCHIC Sun 20 Nov, mac, Birmingham Thurs 17 Nov, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham AN AFTERNOON WITH SIR ROGER MOORE Celebrating 71 years in showbusiness, former James Bond star Dance Sir Roger talks about his extraordinary life and career, Thurs 17 Nov, THE HAPPINESS PROJECT A choreo- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre graphic investigation of western soci- Polari (part of SHOUT Festival) - mac, Birmingham PA/NG Featuring music, live art, per- ety’s endless search for fulfillment, formance and digital art by local Tues 15 Nov, DanceXchange, and inventive choreographers to kathak, featuring 3 wonderful per- emerging artists, Fri 18 Nov, mac, Birmingham Hippodrome present an irresistible trilogy of narra- formers of these Indian dance forms, Birmingham BALLET BLACK: TRIPLE BILL FEATURING tive and abstract dance, Fri 18 Nov, including BBC Young Dancer A BOY NAMED SUE Shout Festival per- STORYVILLE A company for interna- Lichfield Garrick Category Finalist Vidya Patel, Sun 20 formance exploring the need for a tional dancers of black and Asian IF I COULD REACH HOME Classical and Nov, mac, Birmingham sense of community in an oppres- descent, collaborates with three bold contemporary bharatanatyam and

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thelist HOW FOOTBALL CHANGED A NATION + Talks / Q&A Documentary. Starring Adrian Chiles. mac, Birmingham, Tues 15 Spoken Word Nov CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON (PG) Drama/Horror. Starring Richard LICENCED TO RHYME Monthly spoken Carlson, Julie Adams. Electric word event fusing poetry, prose and, Cinema, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov occasionally music. Co-hosted by SHOUT FESTIVAL: THE GIRL KING (15) Maggie Doyle, Worcestershire Poet Biography/Drama. Starring Malin Laureate Emeritus, and past Buska, Sarah Gadon. mac, Birmingham Poet Laureate, Giovanni Birmingham, Wed 16 Nov ‘Spoz’ Esposito, Mon 14 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE GOONIES (PG) Adventure/Comedy. Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin. The Mockingbird, Birmingham, Wed 16 Nov SHOUT FESTIVAL: THE NEW BLACK (15) Film Documentary. Directed by Director: Yoruba Richen. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 17 Nov INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: Motorcycle Live - NEC, Birmingham CARMEN JONES (U) Drama/Musical. Starring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Birmingham, Sun 20 Nov CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKING SHOUT FESTIVAL: DEPARTURE (15) Belafonte. mac, Birmingham, Fri 18 - Learn the history of the craft and the Drama. Starring Juliet Stevenson, Sun 20 Nov techniques needed to create your Alex Lawther. mac, Birmingham, Mon DOCTOR STRANGE (12a) NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: own wreath, Sat 19 Nov, Birmingham 14 Nov Action/Adventure. Starring Benedict Released from Thurs 17 Nov, show- Back to Backs BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton. mac, ing at selected cinemas CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée Birmingham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Nov FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND Santa stars in his very own show, Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Artrix, QUEEN OF KATWE (PG) THEM (tbc) with a gift for every child, Sat 19 - Bromsgrove, Mon 14 & Fri 18 Nov Biography/Drama. Starring Lupita GIMME DANGER (tbc) Sun 20 Nov, Cadbury World, SHOUT FESTIVAL: GIRLS LOST (15) Nyong'o, David Oyelowo. mac, Bournville INDIGNATION (15) Drama. Starring Tuva Jagell, Emrik Birmingham, Fri 18 - Thurs 24 Nov GORGEOUS CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR AMERICAN PASTORAL (15) Öhlander. Foreign language, subti- SHOUT FESTIVAL: DAWN and ARIEL Held in association with the tled. mac, Birmingham, Tues 15 Nov (12a) Drama. Two short films. mac, THE INNOCENTS (15) Shropshire Guild of Contemporary Craft, this popular event provides a high-profile showcase for the region’s creative talent, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, Enginuity Museum, Events Ironbridge, Shropshire MCM BIRMINGHAM COMIC CON Numerous celebrities make guest BAKE AND MAKE - CHRISTMAS BREAD, appearances at this well-established BISCUITS AND CRAFT Learn a 17th show, including Flash Gordon star century skill and make your own Sam Jones, Sat 19 - Sun 20 Nov, Christmas treats and presents, Mon NEC, Birmingham 14 Nov, Moseley Old Hall, Wolverhampton MOTORCYCLE LIVE Representing the best products, bikes and services CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING Tues 15 available from leading companies Nov, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove across the globe, Sat 19 - Sun 27 LUNATICK ASTRONOMY Join Odyssey Nov, NEC, Birmingham Dramatic Presentations for an illus- Birmingham ICE SKATE BIRMINGHAM Get your trated talk, accompanied by music @WHATSONBRUM skates on in beautiful city surround- and props and presented in the ings, Sat 19 Nov - Sun 8 Jan, exact setting of the Lunar Society, Centenary Square, Birmingham Wolverhampton Thurs 17 Nov, Soho House, @WHATSONWOLVES Birmingham SANTA HUNTS Enjoy a fun-filled search for Santa alongside the CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON Thurs 17 museum’s costumed guides, Sun 20 Shropshire Nov, Birmingham City Centre Nov, Black Country Living Museum, @WHATSONSHROPS THE SKILLS SHOW One-stop shop for Dudley careers inspiration, bringing jobs and MUSIC MAZE Creative, participatory staffordshire skills to life in a highly interactive workshops for children aged eight to @WHATSONSTAFFS environment, Thurs 17 Nov - Sat 19 11, Sun 20 Nov, CBSO Centre, Nov, NEC, Birmingham Birmingham Worcestershire BIRMINGHAM FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS ZIGZAG ENSEMBLE Composing and MARKET The famous festive market @WHATSONWORCS improvising group for 12 to 18-year- returns for another year, Thurs 17 olds, Sun 20 Nov, CBSO Centre, Nov - Thurs 29 Dec, Birmingham City warwickshire Birmingham Centre @WHATSONWARWICKS STIR UP SUNDAY The traditional day CHRISTMAS LIGHT SWITCH ON Fri 18 for everyone in the family to take a Nov, The Jewellery Quarter, turn at stirring the Christmas pudding Birmingham while making a wish, Sun 20 Nov, SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL OF VIENNA - Black Country Living Museum, 450TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Read more Dudley on page 49, Fri 18 - Sun 20 Nov, CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE Sun 20 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, SANTA'S WINTER WONDERLAND Fri 18 Bromsgrove Nov - Sat 31 Dec, The Snowdome, Tamworth

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thelist Monday 21 - Wed 30 November RAG N BONE MAN Birmingham Gigs Wed 23 Nov, O2 3 DIVAS TRIBUTE Fri Classical Music Institute, B’ham 25 Nov, The Robin, UNCHAINED: THE Bilston CAM PENNER & JON LUDOVICO EINAUDI Tues 22 Nov, BEST OF JOE COCKER WOOD Mon 21 Nov, FALLEN Fri 25 Nov, Symphony Hall, Birmingham LIVE Wed 23 Nov, Kitchen Garden Route 44, B’ham The Robin, Bilston TOTALLY TCHAIKOVSKY: CBSO Cafe, Birmingham DEACON BLUE Fri 25 BENEVOLENT FUND CONCERT Featuring PETER ASHER & AIRBOURNE Mon 21 Nov, Symphony Edward Garner (conductor). ALBERT LEE Wed 23 Nov, O2 Institute, Hall, Birmingham Programme includes Tchaikovsky's Nov, The Jam Birmingham Swan Lake: Suite, 31’ & Eugene House, Birmingham THINK FLOYD Fri 25 CHARLIE HUNTER Nov, Artrix, Onegin (Excerpts), 60’, Thurs 24 Nov, TERRORVISION Wed Mon 21 Nov, Hare & Bromsgrove Symphony Hall, Birmingham 23 Nov, Wulfrun Hounds, B’ham BLAKE Fri 25 Nov, The Core Theatre, Hall, TOM MISCH Fri 25 MADELEINE PEYROUX Nov, Hare & Solihull Wolverhampton White Lies - O2 Institute, Birmingham Mon 21 Nov, Hounds, B’ham PAUL LEWIS IN RECITAL Programme EDEN'S CURSE Thurs Birmingham Town MIKA SINGH Fri 25 includes works by Schubert, Brahms & 24 Nov, The Asylum, COUNCILLORS Sat 26 THE DAMNED - 40TH Hall Nov, Barclaycard Liszt, Fri 25 Nov, Birmingham Town Birmingham Nov, The ANNIVERSARY TOUR TOY Tues 22 Nov, Arena, Birmingham Hall NIMMO Thurs 24 Roadhouse, B’ham Tues 29 Nov, The Rainbow PHIL MEADOWS AMY HARMAN & ERDEM MISIRLIOGLU Nov, Hare & THE BRIAN Wulfrun Hall, Venues, PROJECT Fri 25 Nov, Programme includes works by Hounds, B’ham HUMPHERSON TRIO Wolverhampton Birmingham Symphony Hall, Schumann, Mozart, Medelssohn & THE NICK ROSS Sat 26 Nov, WHITE LIES Tues 29 SHE MAKES WAR Birmingham Dutilleux, Fri 25 Nov, The Barber ORCHESTRA: SOUNDS Wolverhampton Nov, O2 Institute, Tues 22 Nov, The Institute, Birmingham OF THE GLENN AUTONOMADS BUS Grand Theatre Birmingham Sunflower Lounge, STATION LOONIES Fri DOMONKOS CSABAY IN RECITAL MILLER ERA Thurs 24 ANNE-MARIE Sat 26 KEVIN PEARCE Tues Birmingham 25 Nov, The Slade Programme includes works by Liszt, Nov, The Core Nov, O2 Institute, 29 Nov, Kitchen Rooms, Clara Schumann & Chopin, Fri 25 Nov, ROADSTARS: SIMO - Theatre, Solihull Birmingham Garden Cafe, AARON KEYLOCK - Wolverhampton Birmingham Town Hall DAYLIGHT ROBBERY HOSPITALITY Sat 26 Birmingham FEDERAL CHARM EMO DISCO Fri 25 SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Featuring Thurs 24 Nov, The Nov, The Rainbow AGNES OBEL Tues 29 Tues 22 Nov, The Nov, Hare & Daniele Rosina (conductor). Robin, Bilston Venues, B’ham Nov, Birmingham Robin, Bilston Hounds, B’ham Programme includes works by BIRMINGHAM Town Hall JULIE DEXTER Tues BRIAN FALLON & THE Mendelssohn & Elgar, Sat 26 Nov, The TRADFEST The UK’s LITTLE BARRIE Fri 25 22 Nov, The Jam CROWES Sat 26 Nov, MERRY HELL Wed 30 Bramall, Birmingham University newest traditional Nov, The Sunflower House, Birmingham Wulfrun Hall, Nov, The Red Lion CBSO: BEETHOVEN & ADAMS Featuring Irish music festival, Lounge, B’ham Wolverhampton Folk Club, B’ham Edward Gardener (conductor), James ELVIS PRESLEY LIVE Thurs 24 - Sun 27 BIG BAND Featuring FELIX RIEBL (THE CAT CLARE TEAL Wed 30 Ehnes (violin) & the CBSO Chorus. ON SCREEN Tues 22 Nov, Various venues Stan Sulzmann (sax- EMPIRE) Sat 26 Nov, Nov, Malvern Programme includes works by Nov, Genting Arena, in Digbeth, ophone). Also fea- Hare & Hounds, Theatres Beethoven & Adams, Sat 26 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham turing Jonathan Silk Birmingham NOTHING BUT Symphony Hall, Birmingham MARTIN TURNER EX THE SOLID GOLD (big band director), FOXCOVER Sat 26 THIEVES Wed 30 BRASS BAND & CHAMBER CHOIRS WISHBONE ASH Tues ROCK N ROLL SHOW Fri 25 Nov, The Nov, O2 Academy, Nov, O2 Institute, Featuring Stuart Birnie (brass band 22 Nov, Artrix, Featuring Marty Bramall, B’ham Birmingham Birmingham director) & Bradley Gill & Callum Bromsgrove Wilde, Eden Kane, MARTIN STEPHENSON Thompson (chamber choir conduc- Mike Berry and The AND THE DAINTEES TEENAGE FANCLUB TURIN BRAKES Wed THE SISTERS OF tors). Programme includes works by Wildcats, as well as Fri 25 Nov, O2 Sat 26 Nov, O2 30 Nov, The Slade MERCY Tues 22 Nov, Durante, John Rutter & Eric Whitacre, special guest Mark Institute, B’ham Institute, B’ham Rooms, O2 Institute, B’ham Sun 27 Nov, The Bramall, Birmingham Wynter, Thurs 24 Wolverhampton BOSTON MANOR, NASHVILLE NIGHTS CHINA CRISIS Sun 27 University Nov, CAN’T SWIM & WALL- Fri 25 Nov, The Nov, The Robin, PHOENIX RISING Wed Wolverhampton JOHN WILSON & THE JOHN WILSON FLOWER Tues 22 Asylum, B’ham Bilston 30 Nov, The Robin, Grand Theatre Bilston ORCHESTRA: MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES Nov, The Rainbow FUTURE OF THE LEFT DAVID ESSEX Sun 27 Sun 27 Nov, Symphony Hall, MELANIE MARTINEZ Venues, Sat 26 Nov, The Nov, Civic Hall, ELECTRIC SIX Wed 30 Birmingham Birmingham Thurs 24 Nov, O2 Flapper, B’ham Wolverhampton Nov, O2 Academy, Institute, B’ham Birmingham THE ROVING CROWS THE COUNTERFEIT ALTER BRIDGE Sun Wed 23 Nov, The CHASE & STATUS STONES Sat 26 Nov, 27 Nov, Genting PROSE Wed 30 Nov, Red Lion Folk Club, Thurs 24 Nov, O2 The Robin, Bilston Arena, Birmingham Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham PIERCE THE VEIL NYA'S HOUSE OF Birmingham Sat MUTUAL BENEFIT 26 Nov, O2 SOUL Sun 27 Nov, PETE TONG PRESENTS Wed 23 Nov, Hare & JOHNNY2BAD Thurs Academy, B’ham Artrix, Bromsgrove IBIZA CLASSICS Wed Hounds, B’ham 24 Nov, The Jam 30 Nov, Genting SUICIDE SILENCE Sat STEVE HARLEY Mon House, Birmingham Arena, Birmingham CROOKED HOUSE AND 26 Nov, O2 28 Nov, The Robin, BEN FROST Wed 23 WOLF PEOPLE Thurs Academy, B’ham Bilston GREGORY PECK'S Nov, Kitchen 24 Nov, The JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL EVIL SCARECROW Sat SLICK RICK Mon 28 Garden Cafe, B’ham Sunflower Lounge, OPEN MIC NIGHT Wed LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT WITH 26 Nov, The Slade Nov, O2 Institute, Birmingham 30 Nov, The Night THOMAS TROTTER: FROM RUSSIA WITH THE STYLISTICS Wed Rooms, Birmingham LOVE... Programme includes works by FARRO Thurs 24 Nov, Owl, Birmingham 23 Nov, Wolverhampton RAISING THE FIRES Bach, A Guilmant, G Edmundson, Wolverhampton The Rainbow INGLORIOUS & LAST THE ROY FORBES TRIO Mon 28 Nov, C.Saint-Saens (arr. Lemare) & L Grand Theatre Venues, IN LINE Wed 30 Nov, Sat 26 Nov, Blue Crescent Theatre, Boellmann, Mon 28 Nov, Birmingham Birmingham Wulfrun Hall, GIGSPANNER Wed 23 Piano Restaurant Birmingham Town Hall YESTERDAY, TODAY, Wolverhampton Nov, Artrix, And Bar, B’ham PASSENGER Tues 29 MICHAEL BALL & ALFIE BOE Mon 28 Nov, Bromsgrove FOREVER Thurs 24 PETE WILLIAMS & WARWOUND Sat 26 Nov, O2 Academy, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Nov, Hare & ANDY WELLINGS Wed THE FRONT BOTTOMS Nov, The Rainbow Birmingham Hounds, B’ham 30 Nov, Kitchen MILITARY WIVES: HOME FOR CHRISTMAS Wed 23 Nov, O2 Venues, LAZULI Tues 29 Nov, Tues 29 Nov LIchfield Cathedral DIZZY LIZZY Garden Cafe, B’ham Institute, B’ham Fri 25 Birmingham The Robin, Bilston Nov, The THE LEMON TWIGS BENJAMIN GROSVENOR: BRAHMS GREGORY PECK'S THE CRACKED ACTORS Roadhouse, B’ham THE ACOUSTIC Wed 30 Nov, Hare & Featuring Alpesh Chauhan (conduc- JAZZ, FUNK AND SOUL & THE 10 O'CLOCK SESSIONS Tues 29 tor), Benjamin Grosvenor (piano). THE BEAT BROTHERS Hounds, B’ham OPEN MIC NIGHT Wed HORSES Sat 26 Nov, Nov, The Jam Programme includes works by Dvorak, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, 23 Nov, The Night Route 44, B’ham House, Birmingham Brahms & Sibelius, Wed 30 Nov, Owl, Birmingham The Jam House, THE STYLE Symphony Hall, Birmingham

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Monday 21 - Wed 30 November

passions of Will & Anne’s marriage, Mon 21 - Wed 23 Nov, The REP, Comedy Gigs Birmingham THE LADYBOYS OF BANGKOK TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! Mon 21 Nov, ‘Energetic, exotic and eclectic’ enter- The Blue Orange Theatre, tainment, Tues 22 Nov, Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre JON RICHARDSON Mon 21 Nov, Artrix, GEORGE'S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE Bromsgrove Birmingham Stage Company presents Roald Dahl's much-loved story, Tues 22 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham WHERE’S MY IGLOO GONE? The Bone Ensemble take audiences ‘on a magical journey through an Arctic world of soaring snow geese, pet husky dogs and starry nights’, Wed 23 - Sun 27 Nov, mac, B’ham AUSTENTATIOUS An all-star cast in period costume improvise a brand new Jane Austen work, based on a single audience suggestion, Thurs CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Tues 22 24 Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove Nov, The Dark Horse, Birmingham I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW FAT PENGUIN COMEDY Wed 23 Nov, CHANGE! OJSMTC pay tribute to The Patrick Kavanagh, Birmingham those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance...Thurs 24 - Sat THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ANDREW 26 Nov, Old Joint Stock Theatre, STANLEY & COMEDY CAROUSEL WITH Birmingham ANDY ROBINSON Thurs 24 Nov, The Broken Biscuits - The REP, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham THE SEVEN ACTS OF MERCY Anders Lustgarten’s visceral new play con- CHEEKY MONKEY COMEDY Fri 25 Nov, fronts the dangerous necessity of Zellweger, Gemma Jones. Artrix, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton compassion, in a world where it’s in Talks & Bromsgrove, Sat 26 Nov JERRY SADOWITZ Fri 25 Nov, Wulfrun short supply. Directed by RSC SON OF SAUL (15) Drama/Thriller. Hall, Wolverhampton Deputy Artistic Director Erica Spoken Word Starring Géza Röhrig, Levente JOSEPH JACOBS & MATT PRICE Fri 25 Whyman, Thurs 24 Nov - Fri 10 Feb, Molnár. Foreign language, subtitled. Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon- mac, Birmingham, Sun 27 Nov Avon CRAIG HILL, JULIAN DEANE, SALLY-ANN OWEN JONES: THE POLITICS OF HOPE I AM BOLT (15) Documentary. Starring HAYWARD & COMIC TBC Fri 25 - Sat 26 PSYCHIC SALLY - CALL ME PSYCHIC Fri How can we build societies run in Usain Bolt. mac, Birmingham, Mon Nov, The Comedy Loft, Birmingham 25 Nov, Wolverhampton Grand the interests of working people, not 28 Nov Theatre run as a racket for the mean and the THE NOISE NEXT DOOR, ANDREW DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY greedy at the top? Popular Guardian STANLEY, JOHN ROBINS & DAVE FULTON columnist and author of Chavs and NEW FILMS ON GENERAL RELEASE: Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, The Glee Club, ON STAGE Mon 28 Nov - Sat 3 Dec, The Establishment shines some light Released from Fri 25 Nov, showing at Birmingham Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on a positive way forward, Mon 28 selected cinemas BARNSTORMERS COMEDY NIGHT Sat 26 BROKEN BISCUITS Paines Plough & Nov, The REP, Birmingham ALLIED (tbc) Nov, Artrix, Bromsgrove Live Theatre present a heartwarming coming-of-age story, Tues 29 Nov - ALMOST CHRISTMAS (tbc) ROMESH RANGANATHAN Sat 26 Nov, Sat 3 Dec, The REP, Birmingham Civic Hall, Wolverhampton BAD SANTA 2 (tbc) ACT COLLECTION Presented by Arena CREEPY (tbc) STAND UP COMEDY SHOWCASE Sat 26 Collaborative Theatremakers, Tues Film Nov, mac, Birmingham 29 Nov, Arena Theatre, MUM'S LIST (tbc) MICKEY SHARMA, SUNIL PATEL, OMAR Wolverhampton PATERSON (tbc) HAMDI, BILAL ZAFAR, PATRICK INDEPENDENT LISTINGS: GET IT ON: OUTSPOKEN A fusion of live A UNITED KINGDOM (12a) MONAHAN & NOREEN KHAN Sun 27 performance, music and digital tech- Nov, The Glee Club, Birmingham I AM BOLT (15) nology exploring issues of sexual HOMELANDS Documentary/Music. THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN (tbc) SEANN WALSH Tues 29 Nov, The Glee health and healthy relationships for Starring MC Saskilla, Terri Walke. Club, Birmingham young people, Wed 30 Nov - Thurs 1 mac, Birmingham, Wed 23 Nov Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove THE CATHERINE TATE SHOW LIVE Wed THE TURIN HORSE (15) + Q&A Drama. 30 Nov, Barclaycard Arena, B’ham Starring Janos Derzsi, Erika Bok. Foreign language, subtitled. mac, Birmingham, Thurs 24 Nov Events YOUR NAME (12A) Drama/Horror. Dance Starring Mone Kamishiraishi. Electric CHRISTMAS PUDDING MAKING Tues 22 Theatre Cinema, Birmingham, Thurs 24 Nov Nov, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove THE NUTCRACKER Presented by BEYOND THE HILLS (12) Drama. WINTER WONDERLAND SEASONAL AIDA Presented by Ellen Kent and Midland Theatre Ballet and The Starring Cosmina Stratan, Cristina STYLE EVENT Personal stylist Beth Amphitheatre Productions, Mon 21 Lisayne Ballet School, Thurs 24 - Sat Flutur. Foreign language, subtitled. Goodrham shares her top picks for Nov, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre 26 Nov, Crescent Theatre, mac, Birmingham, Fri 25 Nov the festive season, Wed 23 Nov, Birmingham Botanical Gardens THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Scott Birmingham IN BLOOM (15) Drama. Starring Lika Ritchie Productions joins forces with BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET’S THE Babluani, Mariam Bokeria. Foreign GREYFRIARS AT CHRISTMAS As part of Birmingham Ormiston Academy to NUTCRACKER Brimming with festive language, subtitled. mac, Worcester Christmas Market, see present Kenneth Grahame's classic energy, this ballet promises the per- Birmingham, Sat 26 Nov Greyfriars decorated with the tradi- children's story, Mon 21 Nov - Sat 31 tions of 500 years of Christmas, fect Christmas treat for the entire NG83: WHEN WE WERE B BOYS + Q&A Dec, The Old Rep Theatre, Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Nov, Greyfriars family, Fri 25 Nov - Tues 13 Dec, (12A) Documentary. mac, Birmingham House & Garden, Worcester Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham, Sat 26 Nov SHAKESPEARE, HIS WIFE AND THE DOG BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW WINTER BRIDGET JONES'S BABY (15) ‘Heartfelt’ comedy which lays bare Chance to stock up on everything Comedy/Romance. Starring Renée the secrets, lies, resentments and you need for the festive season, whatsonlive.co.uk 65 The List 21 - 30 November.qxp_Layout 1 24/10/2016 16:12 Page 3

thelist Monday 21 - Wed 30 November Thurs 24 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, CHRISTMAS RAG WREATH MAKING With Birmingham the guidance of craft specialists, OPEN AFTERNOON AT THE MUSEUM learn the history of the craft and the COLLECTION CENTRE View a vast range techniques needed to create your of objects. Must be booked in own wreath, Sat 26 Nov, Birmingham advance, Fri 25 Nov, Museum Back to Backs Collection Centre, Birmingham CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Step back in ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION time and take part in some seasonal RECRUITMENT EXHIBITION Meet activities, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Black recruiters from the industry’s top Country Living Museum, Dudley employers and get one-to-one SANTA HUNTS Enjoy a fun-filled search advice, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, NEC, for Santa alongside the museum’s Birmingham costumed guides, Sat 26 - Sun 27 BLACKOUT TOURS Experience the Nov, Black Country Living Museum, atmosphere of an exclusive evening Dudley tour after dark, Fri 25 - Sat 26 Nov, CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAYRE 2016 Upton House & Gardens, Showcasing high-quality artists, Warwickshire designer-makers and craftspeople, MOSELEY ARTS MARKET Featuring a Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Ruskin Glass broad spectrum of artwork, ceramics, Centre, Stourbridge jewellery, mosaics, textiles and other LUDLOW MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS FAYRE The Hairy Bikers at the BBC Good Food Show - NEC, Birmingham unique, hand-crafted gifts produced Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, Ludlow Castle, by artists and designers in and Shropshire underground grotto, deep in the professional artist Jennifer Collier, around Moseley, Sat 26 Nov, Victoria CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION WEEKENDS Dudley caverns, Sat 26 Nov - Fri 23 Sat 26 Nov - Fri 6 Jan, Packwood Parade, Moseley, Birmingham Santa stars in his very own show, Dec, Dudley Canal Tunnel and House, Solihull WREATH MAKING WORKSHOP Make with a gift for every child, Sat 26 - Limestone Mines FESTIVE BAKES AT SAREHOLE MILL A your own traditional Christmas Sun 27 Nov, Cadbury World, SANTA SAFARI Festive day out for all fun and informal baking class, Sun wreath using natural materials, Sat Bournville, Birmingham the family, combining a four-mile self- 27 Nov, Sarehole Mill, Birmingham 26 Nov, Moseley Old Hall, WARLEY NATIONAL MODEL RAILWAY drive safari with a visit to see Santa, CHRISTMAS AT BADDESLEY Warm up in Wolverhampton EXHIBITION Featuring in excess of 90 Sat 26 Nov - Sat 24 Dec, West front of the crackling fire in the Great SANTA’S GROTTO AND CHRISTMAS layouts, Sat 26 - Sun 27 Nov, NEC, Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Hall, surrounded by natural yuletide CRAFT FAIR Sat 26 Nov, Selly Manor, Birmingham Bewdley decorations, Mon 28 Nov - Tues 27 Birmingham SANTA BOAT TRIPS Visit Santa in his THE THEATRE OF CHRISTMAS See Dec Baddesley Clinton, Solihull Packwood dressed for Christmas by

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