RUSSELL HOWARD GOOD NEWS INBRUM indie rockers at the Civic the at rockers indie Black at cheer festive Museum Living Country talks musicals, money musicals, talks more... and inside... interview BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB BICYCLE BOMBAY CHRISTMAS VICTORIAN CAMERON MACKINTOSH CAMERON DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 348 348 ISSUE sOn ’ & BLACK COUNTRY BLACK & .co.uk

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www. WOLVERHAMPTON WOLVERHAMPTON What THE MIDLANDS ESSENTIAL ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE ENTERTAINMENT ESSENTIAL MIDLANDS THE Wolves & B'Cntry Cover .qxp_Mids Cover - August 24/11/2014 10:45 Page 1 Page 10:45 24/11/2014 - August Cover .qxp_Mids Cover B'Cntry & Wolves WOLVERHAMPTON & BLACK COUNTRY WHAT’S ON ISSUE 348 DECEMBER 2014 PART OF MIDLANDS WHAT’S ON MAGAZINE GROUP PUBLICATIONS @WHATSONWOLVES WWW.WHATSONLIVE.CO.UK Buttermarket Xmas.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 18:35 Page 1 Contents Dec Region 2.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 12:59 Page 1

December 2014

Editor: Davina Evans INSIDE: [email protected] 01743 281708 Editorial Assistants: Cameron Mackintosh Brian O’Faolain [email protected] Barnum out on tour... 01743 281701 interview p6 Lauren Foster [email protected] 01743 281707 Adrian Parker [email protected] 01743 281714 Sales & Marketing: Chris Horton [email protected] 01743 281704

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Graphic Designers: Lisa Wassell Chris Atherton Accounts Administrator Julia Perry [email protected] 01743 281717 Camping it up in Grand style. Julian Clary tells us how he’ll be spending Website Development: Christmas... Interview page 10 Eddie Payne Contributors: Graham Bostock: Theatre James Cameron-Wilson: Film; Alev Dervish: Music TO GET THE VERY p4 Eva Easthope, Kate LATEST LISTING News Alfie Boe Evans, Jessica Aston, inspired by the golden era Patsy Moss, Jack Rolfe, INFORMATION, Jan Watts, Reggie White, Music p17 of Italian song... p24 Simon Carter, Anita VISIT: Champaneri whatsonlive.co.uk Comedy p26 INCLUDING Head Office: BOOKING ONLINE 13-14 Abbey Foregate, Theatre p29 Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE Tel: 01743 281777 The Midlands’ most e-mail: [email protected] comprehensive p45 entertainment website Film/DVD

Follow us on... Visual Arts p51 This publication is printed on paper from a sustainable source and is Events p55 produced without the use December 2014 of elemental chlorine. Wolverhampton Eating Out p65 We endorse the recycling & Black Country MTWTFSS of our magazine and @whatsonwolves 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 would encourage you to Staffordshire pass it on to others to 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 read when you have @whatsonstaffs finished with it. Shropshire 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 ’ @whatsonshrops 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 WhatsOn 29 30 31 MAGAZINE GROUP 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. News December Region 2Davina.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 16:21 Page 1

News A ROUND-UP OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Secret Egypt, discovered An exhibition addressing popular modern misconceptions about ancient Egypt is to open at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery next month. Featuring more than one hun- dred-and-fifty objects, Secret Egypt is a col- lection of ceramics, jewellery, statues, coffins and both animal and human mummies. The exhibition examines the science behind the mummification process and also looks at evidence of curses in Egyptian society. A touring exhibition from Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, presented in partner- ship with Museums Trust, Secret Egypt shows at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery from 24 January to 26 April.

Secret Egypt exhibition at a previous location

Scoundrels abound in the Midlands... Festive treat with a difference A national touring version of the critically acclaimed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will visit two Midlands theatres next year. Based on Frank Oz’s 1988 film starring Steve Martin and Michael Dudley Canal Trust is looking to make the Caine - which itself was based on 1964’s Bedtime Story with David Niven and Marlon Brando most of the area’s underground acoustics in - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is set in the decadent underworld of the French Riviera, where two the lead up to Christmas. seasoned swindlers attempt to hoodwink a millionaire soap heiress. The show stops off at Boat trips around the caverns and limestone Birmingham’s New Alexandra Theatre from 5 to 16 May and then at the Regent Theatre, mines on 14 and 21 December will see an Stoke-on-Trent, from 29 July to 1 August. Casting for the show is yet to be announced. onboard choir performing live in unaccom- panied four-part harmony, presenting festive favourites such as God Rest Ye, Merry That’s Amore and Come Fly With Me. The Staffordshire location the Gentlemen, Coventry Carol and Silent Night. show also boasts a sprinkling of seasonal The unique hour-long trip will take in loca- favourites to enjoy. Ten percent of all ticket public’s favourite tions such as Cathedral Arch and the sales will be donated to local sight-loss char- The National Arboretum has come out on famous Singing Cavern. ity Beacon. Funds raised will help the charity top in a public vote designed to find the Tickets priced at £10.80 include travel support people living with sight loss across most popular places to be funded by the aboard one of the Trust’s special electric tun- the West Midlands. Tickets are priced £21 National Lottery in the past twenty years. nel tripping boats, a hot drink and a mince and £17 and are available from the Beacon The Staffordshire location received the most pie. For further information, call 0121 557 fundraising team on 01902 880 111. votes in the recent National Treasures sur- 6265. vey, which asked social media users to Raw State launched in Brum choose their favourite from a range of iconic Black Country-born singer-songwriter Dan venues, landmarks and facilities, all of which Whitehouse is to officially launch his third have benefitted from Lottery funding. , Raw State, at Birmingham’s Glee To date, more than £8 million of Lottery fund- Club this month (7 December). Dan per- ing has been awarded to the arboretum. The forms at the venue with a full band - includ- survey also saw the public choose Stephen ing BJ Cole (Bjork, Elvis Costello, REM). Fry as their National Treasure, for his work Award-winning Irish songwriter Duke Special as president of mental health charity Mind. offers support. Dan is releasing Raw State having New collection revealed just completed a Walsall’s New Art Gallery this month pres- string of UK and ents the first exhibition from The Clive That’s Amore in Wolves North America Beardmore Collection - a private collection dates. The album which will expand the gallery’s holding of Wulfrun Hall is offering Midlanders the has been described Modern British artworks. On general display chance to enjoy Christmas with the Rat Pack as a body of work from 4 December, the collection showcases on Tuesday 23 December. The popular trib- which ‘embraces pieces by Edward Bawden, John Bratby, ute show sees ‘Frank Sinatra’, ‘Dean Martin’ the power of Laura Knight, Graham Sutherland and Keith and ‘Sammy Davis Jnr’ transporting audi- change and new Vaughan, none of whom have previously ences to 1960s Las Vegas via a programme directions’. been represented in the gallery. of classic songs, including Mac The Knife,

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Motionhouse to join forces with Tamworth arts team World-renowned dance company Motionhouse is to join forces with Tamworth’s Arts & Events team to mount a large-scale site-specific performance next May. The Leamington-based ensemble will work with over two hundred performers from the local community to create Tigress, a piece inspired by the story of Æthelfleda, the eldest daughter of King Alfred the Great. A powerful queen in her own right, she was responsible for refortifying the Saxon town of Tamworth and leading the Mercians into battle against the vikings. Tigress is just one of many projects that Motionhouse has planned for 2015. The company will also be collaborating with No Fit State Circus on a brand new outdoor Three Men In A Bowtie go back to where it all began... show called Block. We’ll keep you posted. Shropshire’s most established comedy trio are this month celebrating their twenty-first anniversary by returning to their Shrewsbury roots. Three Men In A Bowtie launched themselves on an unsuspecting public as a ‘Christmas enter- tainment’ way back in 1993. Five hundred concerts later they’re resurrecting the Christmas format for two special nights, and will be presenting their first ‘seasonal show’ in Shrewsbury since 1998. Classic Christmas songs will include Stuff The Turkey, Pantomime Blues and the Telford carol, Ding Dang Dong. They’ll also be giving an airing to all their latest songs, as well as pulling a few old crackers out of their Santa hats. Accompanying the chaps will be Shropshire’s agricultural starlet Freda Brace-cock, who’ll be waving around her mistletoe in the high hope of enjoying a moment or two of yuletide romance. Archive image of rehearsals for a previous Three Men In A Bowtie play the Ashton Theatre at Shrewsbury School on Thursday 18 and Motionhouse production Friday 19 December. Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/threemeninabowtie, or by calling Darren Wood on 01743 280812. Love is in the air at National Sealife Centre IN BRIEF Shropshire art show secures new patron John Lewis’ festive advert featuring Monty An annual art event launched in Shropshire earlier this year has the penguin has certainly made a major Mo’s back in Brum secured acclaimed British sculptor Andrew Logan as its new impact. Birmingham’s National Sealife Tickets are now on patron. Centre has credited the ad for the popularity sale for the world’s The Big Art Show made its debut at Shrewsbury’s County of its new VIP feeding experiences with pen- biggest indoor athlet- Showground in July and features works in a variety of media. guins. The Brindleyplace venue has enjoyed ics meeting. The The 2015 version of the event will host over one hundred-and-fifty a significant increase in bookings of late, Sainsbury’s Indoor exhibitors, live music, workshops and talks by artists. with people eager to get up close and per- Grand Prix will take The Big Art Show organiser David Dawkins said of Logan’s sonal with the Gentoo penguins, who’ve place at Birmingham’s involvement: “We’re really pleased that without hesitation Andrew recently begun bowing at one another in Barclaycard Arena - Logan has agreed to become a patron. He’s a well-known and preparation for mating. formerly known as the well-respected artist who also carries a lot of kudos. I hope his National Indoor Arena patronage will encourage others to exhibit. Andrew will be exhibit- - on Saturday 21 ing his work, as well as holding one of his famous catwalk jew- February. The event ellery shows. We received very encouraging feedback from artists will see the biggest and attendees at last year’s event and look forward to 2015 being British and global ath- even better.” letics superstars - including the leg- endary Mo Farah - coming together for an afternoon of world- class sport. Those Photo credit: John Lewis who were lucky enough to get their hands on tickets for Roots season announced... last year's sell-out BBC Folk Award-winner Jim Moray, Demon Grand Prix saw some Barber Roadshow frontman Damien Barber truly showstopping and rising star Emma Sweeney all feature in performances from a series of concerts being presented next Britain’s finest. year by Shropshire Roots, an offshoot of the To secure tickets for Shrewsbury Folk Festival. the 2015 event, call Opening the winter season, festival patron 08000 556056. Local reindeer become movie stars John Jones performs a rare solo gig at Seven reindeer from Blithbury Reindeer Lodge in Staffordshire Shrewsbury’s The Hive on 25 January. The have made it big in the movies by featuring in a brand new British venue will then host Damien Barber on 8 comedy. Get Santa, which can be seen in cinemas across the UK February, Jim Moray on 22 March and BBC from 5 December, boasts an all-star cast including Jim Young Folk Award-winners Greg Russell Broadbent, Rafe Spall, Warwick Davies and Kit Connor. and Ciaran Algar on 19 April. Emma The film finds Father Christmas not only on the run from the Sweeney plays Shrewsbury’s Morris Hall on police but also befriended by a nine-year-old boy who wants to 10 May, while Irish singer-songwriter Keiran save Christmas. Blithbury’s seven-year-old reindeer, Combo, Goss brings the season to a close with a takes the lead as Dasher, while a reindeer named George, who gig at The Hive on 31 May. Full details can communicates by breaking wind, is sure to keep younger cine- be found at www.shropshireroots.co.uk ma-goers suitably amused.

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I love showbusiness, but I don’t want it to “ take over my life. I’m as interested in building houses as putting on shows.” Cameron Mackintosh the modern-day Barnum talks musicals, money and more...

From the tender age of eight, when his aunt took him to see a matinee performance of Salad Days, Sir Cameron Mackintosh knew that he wanted to be a theatre producer. Little could he have imagined that his childhood ambition would be achieved so spectacularly! The first British producer to be inducted into the Broadway Hall of Fame, Sir Cameron has produced some of the world’s most successful musicals, including Cats, Miss Saigon, The Phantom Of The Opera and Les Miserables. He recently took time out of his busy schedule to talk to What’s On about his revival production of Barnum, which stars Brian Conley and visits two Midlands venues in 2015. What lies behind the decision to bring think of who I would get to do it. Suddenly I toast of Broadway. The show was wonderful, Barnum back to the stage, Cameron? remembered that I’d seen a young Jim Dale and because of my connection with Jim, I I’ve got a very long connection with Barnum do a marvellous show called Scapino at the went to see it and fell in love with it. It’s which is fairly tenuous. One of the first Young Vic. So I put him in The Card and he always been there in the back of my mind - musicals I did, back in 1973, was called The was terrific. The show was a reasonable and, of course, there’s a bit of PT Barnum in Card, which was written by Tony Hatch and success, and the great American producer me as well. Jackie Trent. I was discussing having the David Merrick came and saw it. David had lead played by Michael Crawford, who been asked about producing Barnum in the So how does this new staging differ from ended up doing another show called Billy US. He put Jim Dale in the show as Barnum, the original? instead. So I was wracking my brains to and this unknown Englishman became the If you know Barnum at all, you know him of

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interview...

Barnum & Bailey’s Circus - but he didn’t join myself, I understand how important it is to long time but the rights were never available. the circus until he was sixty-five. Before that, have a relationship. It’s not all about the Someone’s had them for many years and he was a great showman. He was also quite work, it’s about how you live your life. That’s keeps having a go at it, but I believe it may an influential politician, in first the Democrat the theme that I found in it. I normally end up on Broadway next year. That’s a and then the Republican party. In fact, he produce much more serious musicals, like show that I seriously did look at. I love the was one of the first people involved in getting Oliver! and Miss Saigon. With Mary Poppins, David Lean film and it’s a fascinating book, Abraham Lincoln elected. He fought for very I always thought PL Travers’ book had but I think it would be a tricky one to do. many causes - the emancipation of women, considerably more depth - there was more to the abolition of slavery and all sorts of things, be got out of it than the original film had Are audience expectations more of a all of which are touched on in the show. It’s presented. I loved the film, and I thought that challenge to meet these days? essentially about these amazing dreams that the music written for the film was brilliant, but I don’t think so. If you look at the biggest hits Barnum had, and about his very practical it was of its time. I had no interest in putting in London at the moment on the musical wife, Chairy, who made his dreams come it on the stage. Nor would PL Travers - who front, they’ve come from left field. The Book true. There’s a real love story about a very never wanted the book to be turned into a Of Mormon - nobody could know what that extraordinary couple in the middle of this film - ever have allowed it. She was ninety- show was until it opened in America, and it’s incredible fable about a man who can’t help three when she gave me the rights. I said I had an equal success in London at the thinking up these wonderful ideas. Those are would never want to do it on stage unless I Prince of Wales. It’s an original musical, a the themes that have haunted me over the could bring the best of the music from the pastiche of many things and is wickedly years. I was idly playing the music one day film into the stage score and create a new funny, but it’s taken audiences by surprise. I and thought, it’s funny that we haven’t heard show, which I think is the reason it’s been found with Les Mis and Miss Saigon, by re- this show for twenty-five years, because it’s such a great success. It’s a mixture of the tooling them, a whole new audience who’ve such a wonderful, life-affirming score and a best things from the film and the best things never seen them previously are coming to really lovely story. What I wanted to do was from her book. Out of two existing things see them. actually strengthen the love story between we’ve made something new; something It remains to be seen which of the new Barnum and Chairy, so I did some reworking which continues to be a great success musicals coming this season will actually with American theatre director and producer around the world. last. Certainly the Royal Shakespeare Mark Bramble, rebuilding the second act of Company’s Matilda has been a completely the show. The rebuilding’s worked really well. You’ve obviously got an incredible radar unexpected success. So you really never My first memories of watching the show with for a good story. When you’re pitched an know. There are unlikely shows that Jim Dale was of a very unknown Glenn Close idea, how quickly into the pitch can you succeed. Look at Wicked. When it opened in playing his wife. I never thought that the role say ‘no, this just isn’t going to work’? New York it got terrible reviews. It actually of Chairy was as good in any subsequent To be honest, I’m never interested in having built its audience over the first six months shows I saw, because Glenn - being a an idea pitched to me. On the whole I only and became a huge hit; it wasn’t an phenomenal actress - brought something agree to do something if the writers have overnight success. There was no expectation really special to the part. Thereafter, Barnum been inspired to do a draft of it. At the point before the show opened - and that’s was always thought of as a one-man show - at which they’ve finished the draft - or maybe something which has happened throughout very entertaining but not much of a story. I half draft - I come to it and go “Oh yes, I see history. Two of the most famous shows on think having someone as good as Linzi what you’re doing’. For instance, with Miss both sides of the Atlantic - Oklahoma in the Hateley playing Chairy, and rebuilding the Saigon, Claude-Michele and Alain didn’t States in the 1940s and Oliver! over here - emotional core of the show, works really well. even tell me what the title was. Then, one both opened with no advance at all. Legend We’ve put some new numbers into the show day, they said they’d done the first act and has it that they couldn’t even fill the theatre for when she dies and Barnum has a had a recording of it - all in French, of with free seats on the opening nights of nervous breakdown. It’s had this fantastic course. They gave me an outline of the either show, but they’ve both gone on to reception from the audience since it re- whole show. Then, when they told me it was become a phenomena. It’s really weird how opened in Leicester a few weeks ago. Miss Saigon, I knew immediately that I it goes. Not all shows open like Cats and wanted to do it. With Cats, Andrew Lloyd Phantom or Les Miserables, becoming a You’ve re-worked Miss Saigon, The Webber had been setting these poems that huge success immediately. Phantom Of The Opera and now Barnum. he loved from his childhood to music. There What are your main considerations when wasn’t any script at all, it was just the poems. Is it the case that the bigger the name, the setting out to re-work a very well-known Everyone else he’d played it to had thought greater the expectation? Andrew Lloyd show? it was a terrible idea, but when he played it Webber, for example, has produced all I re-imagined the staging for the new to me, I knew there was something there. I these fantastic shows, so do audiences Phantom and Miss Saigon. In the latter, didn’t know what it was going to be at that feel that every subsequent production of Claude-Michel and Alain wrote a new song point, but there was enough there to say ‘yes his should be of the highest standard? for Ellen, but we didn’t really change the I’m going to do it’. With Phantom, yes, I If Andrew or, to a lesser extent, I myself do a structure of the show at all. It was literally suppose I thought the idea of doing The new show, because we’ve been at it a long that. We looked at the language for the new Phantom Of The Opera was a good one. time, we might be one of the few names that London production and we tightened it up. It There were several other versions about, and the general public have heard of. That may was written twenty-five years ago and we originally we were just going to produce it. get the show a bit of attention, but the public wanted it to have a bit more edge. Basically, Andrew didn’t want to write it, but the more won’t buy in advance. That’s what Andrew both Saigon and Phantom were the same we got into it, the more we saw there was a discovered with his last show - in the end it shows that were written twenty-five years terrific show there. Thank God Andrew only ran for a short amount of time. It’s the ago. With Barnum, I felt it needed a much relented and decided to write the score, show that matters. The most that a famous more radical re-think, to put the love story of which has turned out to be one of his name can do is generate publicity. A famous the husband and wife more central stage to greatest works. name doesn’t get you people - unless you’re the telling of Barnum’s tale. Usually I would never have thought of doing a bonafide star, in which case they’re not Les Miserables. It was the fact that I heard coming because of the writer or the producer Broadly speaking, Miss Saigon is the original French concept album and had but because of the star. historical, Phantom is fictional, Barnum is an idea of the story; that’s what grabbed me biographical. What draws you to a story? by the throat and made me say yes. Again, So where does musical theatre go from Are there common themes and elements with Mary Poppins, I was inspired by the film here, Cameron? How would a brand new to a story that you choose to bring to the - so much so, in fact, that I’d been trying to show in, say, thirty years’ time differ from stage? get the rights for thirty years. I just felt that what’s being presented today? Most of the shows I’ve done have been there was something in the writing that made God knows! I’ve no idea. I never know based on adaptations of classic material, me want to try and get it. So it’s generally the what’s going to be a hit anyway. I treat every whether it be Dickens, PL Travers, Hugo or characters and the story that make me want new show I do as if it’s the first one. Yes, I whoever. I don’t normally do biography to do a show. know there are certain things which would musicals, and I don’t know whether I would be stupid mistakes to make, but I think there have done it originally. The connection I And is there a story that got away? are no rules about what makes a success. found in Barnum is that, being a showman I did try and pursue Dr Zhivago for quite a I’ve always followed the dictum that you do it www.whatsonlive.co.uk 7 Cameron Mackintosh interview R2.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:25 Page 3

Image from Barnum

continued... for yourself, you do it as well are much younger, they’re contemporary not necessarily because you think it will as you can, and hopefully and they like it. make money. Do it passionately, do it as well other people will like it. I have to fall in love as you can, and then hopefully the public will with the material. The shows which have Does theatre’s popularity with younger come to share your taste. been successful have been successful audiences re-affirm people’s perception of because the authors believed in them. The theatre becoming more accessible? You’re the richest producer in the history reason that Matilda’s been a success is Absolutely. It’s now totally accessible. I think of musical theatre. How do you remain purely because of the brilliance of Tim its popularity is partly to do with the fact that grounded? Minchin and Dennis Kelly’s writing, and the people have to stare at a screen with their To be honest, as I spent so many years show’s been very well done. That said, I do jobs all day. Therefore, when they have wondering if I could afford the petrol to go think it’s unlikely the show would’ve done leisure time, they want to do something from one theatre to another, I’m constantly quite so well if it had opened cold in the that’s live, whether it’s a pop concert, the amazed that I can afford to do whatever I West End. The fact that it came out of the theatre or sport. Nowadays the live event is want. My sense of value is still there and I RSC, as happened with Les Miserable thirty worth more than the recorded event. As we don’t spend all my time in the theatre. When years ago, helped build an audience- know with DVDs and CDs, people will flock I started out, I wanted to make a living and I awareness and appreciation for it. to the concert much more than buy wanted to be successful, like anyone does in something to have at home now. And via all any business, but I never thought of making Have shows like Matilda filled a gap for these TV programmes searching for new lots of money. So the fact that I’ve ended up younger audiences? talent, people see that not only is theatre making more money than I could ever have Yes. It’s the younger market which keeps enjoyable, it can also be a very good imagined is something quite surreal. I’m only Phantom, Les Miserables and, particularly, profession to go into. The contribution of the occasionally reminded of it. I live in nice Miss Saigon going. What I’ve seen is a shift entertainment industry is huge and right up houses and I can more or less go wherever I over the last fifteen years. The main the scale. It’s a real place where you can get want and do what I want, but I love living in demographic is that late teens to people in a job; if you’ve got a talent and get a break, the country. I love showbusiness, but I don’t their thirties make up the main bulk of the you can make it. There aren’t that many jobs want it to take over my life. I’m as interested audience, whereas it used to be thirty-fives in the world where you can do that, no in building houses as putting on shows. I’m to fifties. I think the audience has got hugely matter where you come from. not caught up in the web of showbusiness younger for those shows that have staying glamour; in fact, I rarely ever do it. I throw a power. Younger people have discovered the What’s the greatest ever single piece of good party for opening night but I’m not excitement and the thrill of musical theatre. advice that you’ve been given, and is it the interested in being in OK magazine and all of This is one of the reasons why theatre is same advice that you’d pass on to an that showbusiness stuff. I think that’s helped thriving. Not every show, but the good inspiring Cameron Mackintosh in 2014? me. Plus, I’ve got some very good people shows are thriving because the audiences Do something because you believe in it and helping me - they do most of the work that

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keeps my empire around the world ticking. a showman - and yet he’s also a very good And what will be your lasting legacy? They may have to choose their moment, but actor. He doesn’t often get the chance to Because of my very fortunate career, I’ve they know me well enough to tell me not to show that - although he was a very good worked on - or become the father figure of - be an ass. I like to think I don’t give them too Fagin for me two years ago when he toured at least half a dozen of the greatest musicals much of an opportunity to do so, but we can England in Oliver!. Interestingly enough, he ever written. They’re all classics and are all get carried away at times and need chases me for the parts that he feels he can going to live on with new audiences long people to say to us “Stop it! That’s not right”. do, and says “Look, I’d like to have a crack after I’m forgotten. Plus, I know that with the But the trappings have never interested me; at that”. Brian takes a tremendous pride in theatres I’ve bought and the work that’s been I’d much rather be spending time at home. his work. There are so many elements in this done to them, they’re going to last another I’m quite reclusive - and interestingly show - being able to act it and, obviously, hundred years. What better legacy could I enough, so was PT Barnum, the greatest technically sing it - but Brian also knows how leave? showman of all time. He would only go and to break that fourth wall with an audience. do the hoopla when it was for his own show. Midlands audiences will have seen that year We doubt you’ll be forgotten, Cameron... Otherwise he built himself nice houses and after year in Birmingham, where he’s been Nobody remembers who produced went home and had a kitchen supper. So I one of the great pantomime stars. There’s an Showboat, nobody remembers who think we share a few more things in element of that in Barnum too - in the way produced Oklahoma, and there’s no reason common. the show is constructed, with this man to. It’s the authors who should be introducing us to all the people who made remembered. Sure, authors need producers, What’s your favourite way to wind down? his life story. I think that’s why he’s so terrific. but none of us have a job unless authors To be honest, the luxury is having the time to He’s also very moving when he has his come up with something that’s exciting and myself and being with my friends. I’m equally breakdown and loses his wife. I think it’s inspirational. In the end it’s the authors happy wandering the hills in Scotland or the probably the best part Brian’s had since who’re the continuing life blood. A few lovely countryside in Somerset. I switch off Jolson, who was another showman. There’s people may know Burbidge’s name but, on very easily and I’ve never had a problem something about those roles that he has a the whole, everybody knows Shakespeare, relaxing and swimming and lying on the fairly unique handle on, because of who he and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve beach reading a tawdry book. I remember is and how his professional life has come obviously been blessed to be good at that even when I was twenty and didn’t have about. musicals and I enjoy every aspect of it. two pennies to rub together, I would never Also, Linzi - who I’ve known since she was Probably that’s the reason I’ve had more not go on holiday. I’ve always thought that sixteen - has such strength and such humour successes than anybody else has, but my that was as important as doing the work. and is a real rock on that stage. You greatest gift is being able to spot the writers That’s what’s kept me sane. I still go completely understand how Barnum needed who have a unique talent, and being able to shopping. I enjoy doing that and seeing the her, and why, when she went, it was such a work with them. My second greatest gift is prices of things. Yes, I can afford a private jet terrible loss - a loss which was only made up knowing what I’m not good at. That’s and from time to time I’ll take it - mainly to by having another, different kind of partner in something that often gets overlooked in life. save time - but when I don’t need to, I get on Bailey for the last great adventure of his life. It’s really good to know what you’re not the shuttle or go Easy Jet or whatever, good at, and then to find the person who because there’s no reason not to. Also, I find Back to you. Where does being inducted can do that thing instead of you. there’s part of me that feels it’s worth into Broadway’s Hall Of Fame rank in knowing what things cost; to know what the terms of career highs? So what is it that you’re not good at? price of a theatre ticket means to the people As a little boy of eight who wanted to Even though I interfere with direction and who’ve given me this fortunate lifestyle. I become a producer, having a show in things like that, I could never be a director. I think it’s very important, and that’s why I’m London was on my list of dreams - but this can often come up with some smart direction fanatical that a show - wherever it’s going - is never was. I believe I’m the only English once something exists. I’m very good in not only as good as possible but also producer who’s been given that accolade, so every department of going ‘No, you need to hopefully better than what audiences have I was very, very touched to have that. I’ve do this, not that, and what about that?’, and I heard. had, and continue to have, a wonderful can talk to actors about interpretation - but career in America, which has been a very only once it exists. I could never put it up And that people think it’s money well important part of my life. fresh; I don’t have that gift. That’s why I spent? turned down directing. A number of Exactly! And that’s why I’m thrilled with all And if you could change one rule in producers, like Hal Prince, have become the reaction to Brian and Linzi in Barnum. theatreland, what would it be? directors, and very successful directors - but We’ve received lovely letters from people I would probably want to rehearse the actors I know I wouldn’t be one of them. who’ve said they loved it with Michael and so rehearsals never stop, I suppose. Crawford but that they also love the Is there anything else at which you’d like differences, and that this production is just If you could choose one single scene from to have a go? as good but in a different way. It is different one of your shows to watch in your final No, I’ve got the best job in the world. I’m to the original production and that’s what I moments on earth, which scene would very happy that that eight-year-old boy is still wanted it to be. you choose and why? doing what he dreamed of doing. The only I think it would probably have to be the finale question in my life is whether I’ve grown up So what makes Brian Conley a good of Les Miserables, because it’s such a enough... choice to play Barnum? wonderfully uplifting piece of music. It’s There’s a line towards the end of the play about coming together, the past and the Barnum shows at Wolverhampton’s Grand future. It’s about the people in your lives about my kind of showbusiness being dead. Theatre, from Tues 27 - Sat 31 January and In a way, that means a throwback to an old- being forever young once you go beyond Birmingham Hippodrome, from Tues 7 July fashioned showman - and that’s Brian. He’s the barricade. As a piece of music, it’s very to Sat 1 August embracing.

Miss Saigon Mary Poppins Les Miserables Phantom Of The Opera

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Julian Clary prepares to camp it up Grand style in Wolverhampton...

Following in the footsteps of light entertainment icons such as Larry Grayson and John Inman, Julian Clary’s humour comes complete with an impressive side order of innuendo. Julian’s sure to be the source of much frivolity this month when he appears as Dandini in Cinderella at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. What’s On recently caught up with him to find out what the comedian/actor/author and panto veteran enjoys most about Christmas... This is your fifteenth panto, Julian. What a play. It’s not a cabaret and there’s no get to wear all the lavish costumes. Dandini is it that draws you to this traditional form fourth wall. You can mess around and it’s just guides the plot along - but apart from that, of seasonal entertainment time and time a mad, mad world. Also, I like spending the I’m just being myself. The great thing about again? dark winter months in the theatre - all day panto is that you can never be accused of Well, it’s the one time of year that I get to be and every day. It gets you out of the real over-acting or wearing too much make-up. with a whole crowd of people, as opposed to world. travelling around on my own and sitting in a What makes a great panto? dressing room on my own, which I do the Tell us about your Dandini? Magic. It’s got to transport the audience and rest of the year. Also, I like that it’s such a I’m acting but I’m also being myself. Dandini it’s got to be jaw-dropping. Not too many strange performance that you give in panto. is the Prince’s right-hand man and they’ve distractions - I don’t like pantos where people You’re telling a story to the children but also had to swap clothes because the Prince come on in the middle and do a twenty- entertaining the adults. It’s a play but it’s not wants to meet all of these ordinary girls. So I minute act. It’s all got to be plot-driven.

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interview...

Do you have a favourite? your own lunch. I’d also like a kitten. I’ve and thinking I should write a novel. It did Cinderella - and I’m not just saying that wanted one for the past couple of years, but make me feel inadequate but I got over that. because I’m in it. It has the best story and it’s the request has been denied by my partner. Actually, I can write anywhere. got the most magic in it. It’s got the romance A siamese kitten, that’s what I’d like. and it’s got a lot of comedy with the Ugly It’s been a few years since you wrote your Sisters. It’s a winner all round. Turkey or Goose... last book. Are there plans for any more? Turkey every time. I’ve just written a children’s book which is Christmas for you - bah humbug or warm due to be published next summer. I can’t say mince pies? Favourite stuffing... any more than that because it’s not been Warm mince pies. I like Christmas but I’m Can I say One Direction again? announced yet. It’s a very beautiful story for happy to be working throughout. I like eight to twelve-year-olds. Christmas Day - I get to go to my parents’ - Favourite Clary festive custom... but then Boxing Day morning I have to leave I think it’s much like anyone else’s. We go to Were you commissioned? to get back to the theatre, which I secretly church, open our presents, drink sherry and No, it all comes from my imagination. I was like. I wouldn’t want days and days of sitting eat sausage rolls. Nothing out of the quite a solitary child and used to make up around watching bad television. I’d rather be ordinary. stories about the neighbours for my own working. amusement. So I resurrected my inner child So is your perfect Christmas the way you and wrote it from there. They’ve already A perfect festive companion from the past spend it now? asked me to write another one, so I reckon - who would you choose? I like it as it is. I did spend one Christmas in that’s what I’ll be doing after panto. Queen Victoria. She’d do a fabulous Australia. I was on tour and I hated not being Christmas, wouldn’t she? And the setting in England. I hated it being sunny. It’s all a You’ve also got a TV show coming up for would be lovely, as would the clothes and ritual over here. I like the repetition of ITV1... the food. And I suspect she’d be quite good knowing what I’ll be doing at the same time Yes, Nature Nuts. It’s about me going around fun secretly. on that day, and knowing we’ll all be the country and looking at some British together. My parents are in their 80s and I’ve wildlife. I go up to Scotland and find some And from Christmas present? got nephews and nieces and great nephews pine martins, then I encounter some beavers, Joan Collins, who I was in panto with a few and nieces, so there’s quite a lot of us. But falcons and hedgehogs. It’s been great fun years back in Birmingham. We’ve since it’s just good to be together; that’s what’s and I had a lovely year going all around the become friends and she’s good fun to be important. country, not only meeting the animals but with. I’ve been to her house in the South of also the people who’re interested in them. It France. She’s very good at entertaining and What’s your earliest Christmas memory? was also a very educational experience for loves Christmas, so I imagine it would be I remember being at my grandparents’ me. very beautiful and very chic. I would imagine house in Norfolk and my favourite present she has baubles from Cartier hanging on her was a little stuffed dog. We had a dachsund You’ve had a couple of successful stints in tree. named Monty and he got hold of it, thinking the West End. Is that something you’d like it was a dog toy, and bit its head off. I was to revisit? In your advancing years, who would you terribly upset. I’d like to. I loved doing that, and the routine like to spend Christmas with? of trekking into work and being part of a One Direction. All of them. In ten years, when You’ve touched on performing in Australia. show with other people in. they’ve calmed down. They’d be fun, How is your brand of comedy received wouldn’t they? down under? A book and a TV show. Anything else on Oh, they like it. They like a bit of filth in the agenda? Who would be your Christmas nightmare? Australia. They’re nice, extrovert people. We I don’t think I’ll tour next year, but I’m quite Nigel Farage, if he’d been on the sherry and understand each other, me and the interested in doing smaller cabaret venues. did that awful laughing grimace that he does. Australians. They have a well-developed There’s a place called Crazy Coqs in That would finish me off, I think. sense of vulgarity. It’s a bit like in the south Piccadilly where I’ve just finished a week. It’s of England, people are a little bit reticent and nice to do intimate cabaret gigs. I’d like to do Decorations - subtle or bling? introverted, whereas the further north you go, more of those. I’ve also written a play - a Actually, quite subtle. I have a big tree at the more people are out for a good time. In serious play that I might be putting on next home and all the decorations are pink. Is that Australia it’s a bit like being in every year. subtle? Well, subtle bling then. There’s no night. reason why taste has to go out of the window just because it’s Christmas. You mentioned earlier about your parents, and going to church. How do they deal Will you still have the festive with your vulgarity? paraphernalia even though you’ll be It’s all their fault. It all comes from them. I’m spending much of your time in the run-up not immoral. I’m not the devil’s work, so they to Christmas in Wolverhampton? cope quite well. My sense of humour is I will, even though I’m not there. I like to inherited, so they find it quite amusing. decorate the tree at home. My sister will be there, looking after the animals for me whilst You live in Noel Coward’s house... I’m away, so she’ll get to enjoy it. I always No, it’s my house now. get my tree decorated horribly early. Okay, your house. Is it true that you Is Christmas a time for giving or believe the house to be haunted? receiving? There’s supposed to be four ghosts I give and receive, so it’s both. I suppose wandering around. When I first moved in, the giving is more important than receiving, but spirits were a bit disturbed and pictures there’s nothing much that I particularly want started falling off the walls and people were this year. I enjoy giving people something getting locked in rooms. Then it all calmed that will make them genuinely happy. down. I think that’s sort of what happens. They get used to you, so there’s not been You say you don’t particularly want much lately. anything, but what would be your ideal gift? How does living there inspire you Julian stars as Dandini in Cinderella at I could do with some tupperware. I really creatively? Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, could. I’m keen on tupperware, especially It’s difficult sitting down in the room in which from Sat 6 December to Sun 18 January when you’re doing panto and you can make Noel Coward used to write songs and plays

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One of Britain’s greatest traditions, pantomime continues to play a significant role in the country’s festive celebra- tions. And a staple of most productions is the rotten-to-the-core panto villain, whose sinister and often downright evil behaviour provides audiences with plenty of opportunity to enjoy a good ol’ boo and hiss. Nowadays the role is an absolute shoe-in for actors who’re best known for starring as fatally flawed or downright nasty characters on TV - and there’s certainly no shortage of famous panto baddies for them to play! Abanazar in Aladdin, Fleshcreep in Jack And The Beanstalk, Captain Hook in Peter Pan and the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella are just some of the much-loved rotters who routinely make life hell for pantoland’s handsome heroes and beautiful heroines. Here in the Midlands we’re fortunate to host some of the country’s very best pantomimes and pantomime villains - so if you’re up for a bit of booing and the pleasure of seeing a good-for-nothing ne’er-do-well get their comeuppance, you know what you need to do...

Not only does Jack have a giant-sized problem in the shape of a big, scary ogre, he’s also got to tackle a nasty piece of work known as Fleshcreep! The ogre’s henchman, Fleshcreep is traditionally played by a male actor - with Coronation Street favourite Chris Gascoyne stepping into the role at the Birmingham Hippodrome this Christmas. Chris has starred as the Street’s much-maligned Peter Barlow since the year 2000, recently leaving the popular soap in order to pursue other acting projects. Making people’s skin crawl as Fleshcreep in Jack And The Beanstalk seems like a fun way for him to get that particular ball rolling!

Well shiver those timbers and splice that mainbrace if Captain Hook isn’t one of the most dastardly pirates in the history of fictional seafarers! Hook’s only got one hand - but what he’s lacking in the limb department he more than makes up for in the nastiness stakes. He’s not without his weaknesses, though, fearing both the sight of his own blood and the crocodile who ate his hand after Peter Pan cut it off. Michael Neilson stars as Pan’s arch enemy in the Theatre Severn version of JM Barrie’s children’s classic. Over the years Michael’s been a regular visitor to pantoland, with his festive CV including the roles of Squire Squander in Mother Goose, Dame Trot in Jack And The Beanstalk and Herman The Henchman in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs. He’s also played Dean Martin in The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas.

Rats have been getting a bad press since the fourteenth century, when they brought plague-infested fleas to the city of London. So there’s little wonder that Dick Whittington’s enemy, King Rat, is such a popular ‘unpopular character’! Dick finds himself shipwrecked in an exotic kingdom that’s overrun with rats, the leader of whom is, yep, you’ve guessed it, King Rat himself. Thank heaven our eponymous hero has brought his rodent-terrorising cat along for the ride! Kai Owen takes the role of King Rat in the Regent Theatre production, and is perhaps best known for having played the character of Rhys Williams in the popular Dr Who spin-off TV series, Torchwood.

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Witch Guillotine may not be as famous as Abanazar or Fleshcreep but she’s no less wicked. When a handsome prince makes the mistake of teasing her terribly, she exacts a horrifying revenge by casting a spell on him, condemning him to a life lived as a ghastly looking beast. Nicki French stars as Guillotine in the Oakengates Theatre production in Telford this Christmas. Nicki, who’s best known for her 1995 dance cover version of Total Eclipse Of The Heart, represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in the year 2000, finishing sixteenth with Don't Play That Song Again.

Cinderella was almost certainly at the back of the queue when siblings were being handed out! The daughters of Cinders’ wicked stepmother, these vile-looking girls are more bitchy than evil, and are well-jealous of their stunningly beautiful sister. Making her life an absolute hell at every con- ceivable turn, they force her to stay at home and do the chores while they swan off to the big flash Ball. The Ugly Sisters are traditionally played by men - as is the case in this year’s Wolverhampton Grand Theatre production - but are sometimes played by women - check out the Lichfield Garrick version. At the Grand, Ben Stock and Tony Jackson are the fellas who’re getting rouged up for the roles. Ben’s no stranger to starring as an Ugly Sister, having previously appeared in productions of Cin- derella in Hastings, High Wycombe, Dartford, Bradford and, er, Wolverhampton twice! Tony, meanwhile, is starring in his eighth pantomime season with Julian Clary. The Lichfield Garrick version sees Stacey Bland and Kate Playdon starring as Cinders’ seriously scary-lookingsiblings.

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Rodrigo Y Gabriela Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 5 December Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero are a Mex- ican acoustic guitar duo whose music is influenced by genres such as nuevo flamenco, heavy metal and rock. They’ve released five studio in total, including re-Foc (2002), 11:11(2009) and this year’s 9 Dead Alive. As well as countless tours and festival performances, the duo also collaborated with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and contributed to the soundtrack for Shrek prequel movie Puss In Boots. Catch them at Symphony Hall for what promises to be a thor- oughly engaging show.

The Puppini Sisters Glee Club, Birmingham, Tues 9 December With influences that range from The Andrews Sis- ters to Mike Flowers Pops, it’s fairly evident that The Puppini Sisters are peddling something rather unique. The retro stars, lauded for their ‘1940s glamour’ look, perform tongue-in-cheek classics in three-part harmony. They here present their very Chrissie Hynde own sassy reworkings of festive hits from perform- Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Fri 12 December ers including Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey and Ertha Bonafide rock legend Chrissie Hynde is here joined by The Pretenders’ James Wal- Kitt. Well worth a look. bourne and Nick Wilkinson for a show which blends the best of her and ’s back- catalogue with songs from debut solo album Stockholm. Hynde has been mega since she and the Hereford-originated Pretenders enjoyed chart success with 1979’s Brass In Pocket. In the years that followed they scored numerous other hits, including Back On The Chain Gang, Message Of Love, Talk Of The Town, Thin Line Between Love And Hate and Don't Get Me Wrong. Commenting on her Wolverhampton show, Chrissie said: "My new band, Will Travel, is uniting with James and Nick to form a band which I can only describe as All I Want For Christmas. Rejoice!"

The Who Barclaycard Arena (formerly NIA), Birmingham, Sun 7 December Just like The Rolling Stones, The Who simply don't know when to stop touring. They're appearing in the Midlands as part of their The Who Hits Fifty anniversary tour - and as you’d expect when celebrating a glorious half-century’s-worth of success, they’re pre- Ben Howard senting an evening of classic anthems from their truly stupendous back-catalogue. “Trying to stay young,” said Pete Townshend in a news release announcing the tour. “Not Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, Thurs 4 December wearing socks. Growing a great big woodcutter’s beard. Might even wear a check shirt Double BRIT Award-winner Ben Howard was on stage and get a tattoo of a Union Jack. Always a fashion victim. But under no illusions. brought up listening to the sounds of John Martyn, We are what we are, and extremely good at it, but we’re lucky to be alive and still tour- Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Simon & Gar- ing.” funkel. He began writing songs at the age of eleven. “I was quite an imaginative little kid, I guess,” reveals Ben. “So your standard little love songs turned into your standard adolescent love songs. I think you start getting your own take on things when you’re a late teen. That’s when every- thing changes.” Following on from three EPs, Ben released his first studio album, Every King- dom, in 2012, peaking at number four in the UK Al- bums Chart. His follow-up of- fering, I Forget Where We Were, was released in Octo- ber and faired even better, taking top spot. Expect plenty more from this tal- ented singer-songwriter in the years to come...

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Music PREVIEWS Embrace Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, Wed 3 Decem- ber; Kasbah, Coventry, Mon 8 December This English rock band don’t really need an introduction. After building a following through their EP releases, 1998 debut album The Good Will Out went straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart. They’ve since enjoyed a colourful career, bagging them- selves another two number one albums - and - as well as being chosen to record England’s official World Cup 2006 song, , which entered the UK Single Chart at number three. After a quiet period, the boys have re- turned to the music scene to release sixth studio album Embrace, in support of which they’re playing this Midlands gig.

Madness LG Arena, Birmingham, Sat 13 December Madness were one of the most prominent bands of the late-1970s/early-1980s 2 Tone Ska re- vival, and although their high-profile days are behind them, the zany funsters continue to draw a crowd - as their regular arena concerts ably illustrate. With hits like Baggy Trousers, On The Wings Of A Dove and Our House to recommend them, an evening with Suggs and the gang guarantees plenty of great music and not a little madcap mayhem. They appear in Birmingham this month as part of their All For The M.A.D.H.E.A.D. tour. Pop rock trio Scouting For Girls support. By The Rivers The Institute, Birmingham, Wed 10 December Lindisfarne Christmas Show Bombay Bicycle Club Driven by a real passion for the groove, cul- The Robin, Bilston, Mon 15 December Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, ture and soul of reggae music, Leicester six- Wed 10 December piece By The Rivers write and perform songs “When the band was really popular,” says English indie rockers Bombay Bicycle Club about the subjects that impact on the Lindisfarne’s Ray Jackson, “we kept our feet formed in 2005 and, after winning a competi- of today. Their lyrics are awash with social very firmly planted on the ground and did our tion to secure the opening slot at the follow- comment and positive messages, while their own thing. We were proud of our self-depre- ing year’s V Festival, released two EPs and self-titled debut album has been enthusiasti- cating Geordie roots, and just wanted the debut single Evening/Morning. The band cally received by their growing legion of fans. freedom to play our music and entertain peo- have since cut four albums - including So Presenting pretty much everything you’d ex- ple.” Mandolin and harmonica player Jack- Long, See You Tomorrow, which topped the pect from a typical Brit Reggae band, the son was an original member of the Newcastle charts in February. This Midlands gig is one boys attracted large crowds at numerous UK folk-rock group, appearing with them for of nine UK dates they’re undertaking after an festivals during the summer and are widely twenty long years from 1970. extensive tour of Australia, the US, Canada, tipped for great things in 2015. Hailed for their winning blend of Geordie wit Europe and South Africa. Support comes This Birmingham gig kick-starts a nine-date and well-crafted songs, the band scored hits from upcoming indie rock quartet Peace. tour. with memorable numbers such as Meet Me On The Corner, Lady Eleanor, All Fall Down, Run For Home and Fog On The Tyne. Support on the night comes from local lad David Young and The Midnight Chorus.

Leveret The Morris Hall, Shrewsbury, Sun 14 December If you’re a fan of instrumental folk music, this is a gig you won’t want to miss. With a collec- tive CV that includes Bellowhead, The Full English, Kate Rusby and Blowzabella, Sam Catfish And The Bottlemen Sweeney, Andy Cutting and Rob Harbron de- The Sugarmill, Stoke-on-Trent, Fri 5 Decem- cided to get together, form a band and, in ber; The Institute, Birmingham, January this year, hit the road - since which The Dylan Project Sun 7 December time they’ve garnered praise pretty much Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Fri 5 December; Although it took a while for Welsh rock band everywhere they’ve performed. Lichfield Guildhall, Staffs, Sun 14 December Catfish And The Bottlemen to get noticed, “Don't be misled by the word 'tribute',” reads they finally signed to Communication The Dylan Project’s website. “Although the Records and released their first single, phrase ‘tribute band’ can mean a slavish fac- Homesick, last year. Now with Island simile or a big-name cash-in, The Dylan Proj- Records, the band released debut album The ect is far more than a mere copycat act.” Balcony in September and charted at num- An accurate appraisal indeed of this most ac- ber ten - not bad for a group who were fairly complished of tributes. Steve Gibbons inter- unknown until recently. What’s more, they’ve prets Bob Dylan’s lyrics with stylish managed to sell out plenty of dates on this individuality, while Dave Pegg, PJ Wright and November/December headline tour, including Simon Nicol offer their own distinctive take both Midlands shows. Honeyblood support. on the Great Man’s music.

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UP AND ROCK Stratford LISTINGS Artshouse MusicGIG REVIEWS Music CENTIMENT, BRUTAL, MID- NIGHT CONVOY & EMUR- SIA The Oobleck, For full listing information on gigs, For further reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Birmingham including times and dates, GRAHAM BONNET'S CATCH visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk THE RAINBOW O2 Acad- emy, Birmingham Paloma Faith THE BOOZE BROTHERS Nailcote Hall, Berkswell Civic Hall, Wolverhampton THE FRANKIE VALLI RODRIGO Y GABRIELA MON 1 DEC STORY Feat: Stephen Paloma trooped on to the stage Symphony Hall, B’ham with her backing singers, perform- THE DUNNETT/BAXTER James, The CHRISTMAS ROCK N ROLL Robin, Bilston BIG BAND The Yardbird ROADSHOW Tamworth ing a rousing rendition of Take Me. JACK GARRAT Hare & Jazz Club, Birmingham Assembly Rooms, The eager crowd at Wolverhampton Hounds, Birmingham SLASH LG Arena, B’ham Staffs URBAN TRIO The Jam Civic immediately rose to their feet BRIT FLOYD Symphony AUGUSTINES Wulfrun House, Birmingham and sang along. Hall, Birmingham Hall, Wolverhampton Vocally, Paloma was fantastic. The NUESTRAS VIVENCIAS & CATFISH AND THE BOT- richness of her voice could be best JUGGY RIHAL Warwick THU 4 DEC TLEMEN The Sugarmill, appreciated when she was singing Arts Centre, Coventry RAYMOND FROGGATT Stoke-on-Trent CHRIS CLEVERLEY Cres- Birmingham Town Hall PRINCE OF WALES BRASS the ballads, especially Only Love Can Hurt Like This. The band were cent Theatre, B’ham- BAND Artrix, Broms- sharp and polished, the backing vocalists on fine form. BOYZ II MEN O2 Acad- BABY GODZILLA The emy, Birmingham grove It was a gig which made more than a passing nod in the direction of Oobleck, Birmingham JASPER CARROT'S STAND BJORN AGAIN The As- some of Paloma’s influences. Van Morrison’s Crazy Love was per- UP AND ROCK Stratford sembly, Leamington formed with support artist Brett Dennen. The Sisters Love’s The Bigger TUE 2 DEC Artshouse Spa T.REXTASY Huntingdon You Love, which appears on her latest album, also featured. So too SIXTIES GOLD Feat. THE SENSATIONAL 60'S EXPERIENCE Malvern Hall, Worcester did Ike and Tina Turner’s River Deep, Mountain High. Performed as Gerry and the Pace- ALABAMA 3 The Institute, makers, The Searchers, Theatres part of her encore, it came complete with accompanying Tina Turner THE CHANTEL MCGREGOR Birmingham The Fortunes & Chip ICONIC 80S The River dance moves! Hawkes, Symphony BAND The Robin, Bilston Essentially this was an album tour for A Perfect Contradiction, so we BEN HOWARD Civic Hall, Rooms, Stourbridge Hall, B’ham DESPERADO - THE VERY didn’t get to hear the big tunes from her two previous albums. Al- THE DEFILED The Slade Wolverhampton PASADENA ROOF ORCHES- BEST OF THE EAGLES The though the performance was great, the evening lacked any real sense Rooms, Wolverhampton Roadhouse, B’ham JANET DEVLIN Hare & TRA The Roses Theatre, of momentum. I think she’s saving herself for her first arena tour, Tewkesbury MAGNUM The Robin, Bil- Hounds, Birmingham ston which stops off in Birmingham next March. Ted Finlay nnnn THE WYTCHES Hare & RAGING SPEEDHORN The Sugarmill, Stoke-on- OZZBEST Route 44, Hounds, Birmingham Birmingham MARTIN SMITH The Trent ANY TROUBLE Hare & CAPERCAILLIE IN CON- Robin, Bilston CERT Warwick Arts Cen- Jackson Browne Symphony Hall, Birmingham MICHAEL BUBLÉ The Bar- Hounds, Birmingham GERARD AND THE WATCH- tre, Coventry This legendary Californian singer-songwriter has been inducted into claycard Arena (for- WOMEN IN JAZZ Sym- merly NIA), Birmingham MEN Ort Cafe, B’ham the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He also penned one of the most pro- CHRISTMAS WITH THE phony Hall, B’ham GEORGE COLLIGAN The ABBA LOVE Genting Club found and moving canons of contemporary song. So quite how he’s Spotted Dog, B’ham RAT PACKNew Alexan- escaped becoming a household name is a complete mystery! dra Theatre, B’ham Stoke-on-Trent AGAINST THE CURRENT Now aged sixty-six and still producing fine work, Browne’s magnificent WED 3 DEC WAIT FOR THE FALL, HOUR GLASS, ALL THE The Asylum, B’ham voice remains undiminished by time. Performing seven tracks from his TWO MAN TING The Yard- REST AND MORE... The FRAN THE MAN Irish Cen- new album, Standing In The Breach, he was supported by his incredi- bird Jazz Club, B’ham Roadhouse, B’hams tre, Birmingham ble five-piece band and backing singers. This topical album show- MICHAEL BUBLÉ The Bar- SOLID SOUL The Jam BOAT TO ROW Ort Cafe, cases the musician’s defining political and environmental beliefs - claycard Arena (for- House, Birmingham Birmingham merly NIA), Birmingham THE HELL The Oobleck, SEEDY SONICS The Rain- from the damning indictment of corporate greed on Which Side to the bow Venues, B’ham hope for change on If I Could Be Anywhere. But it was the album’s title ELECTRIC SIX O2 Acad- Birmingham emy, Birmingham LONGFALLBOOTS O2 track, with all its elegiac power, that made for the night’s outstanding ABBA MANIA New FRI 5 DEC Academy, Birmingham performance. Alexandra Theatre, COME UP & SEE ME Older classics were rapturously received, including Doctor My Eyes, Birmingham THE HUMAN LEAGUE Drummonds Bar, Fountain Of Sorrow and a knockout rendition of The Pretender, but I BREED 77 The Oobleck, Civic Hall, W’hampton Worcester GORDON HENDRICKS IS HISS GOLDEN MESSEN- was sorely disappointed that arguably his finest song, Sky Blue And Birmingham BEANS ON TOAST Hare & ELVIS Theatre On The GER Hare & Hounds, Black, was omitted - as were various other classics. Hounds, Birmingham Steps, Bridgnorth Birmingham I was also congratulated by strangers on a fantastic poster made by A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS SOLID SOUL The Jam RORY MCGRATH AND my equally over-excited sister, and repeatedly asked by astonished The Red Lion Folk Club, House, Birmingham PHILIP POPE Malvern pensioners both to justify my ardour and to confirm my age! As the Birmingham JEFF WAYNE'S MUSICAL Theatres HACKTIVIST The Insti- VERSION OF THE WAR OF night drew to a close with Running On Empty, we joined fans dancing THE WORLDS LG Arena, in the aisles and Browne even pointed at us! tute, Birmingham SAT 6 DEC BASEMENT JAXX The In- Birmingham A magical night I’ll . Malaka Chowdhury nnnnn stitute, Birmingham LONE The Oobleck, PROFESSOR GREEN O2 EMBRACE Victoria Hall, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent CHRISTMAS WITH THE THE LEGENDS PARTY PAUL CARRACK Malvern RAT PACKNew Alexan- WITH ABSOLUTE LEGENDS Lady Gaga Theatres dra Theatre, B’ham Nailcote Hall, Berkswell JASPER CARROT'S STAND THE 80'S EXPERIENCE LG Arena, Birmingham It takes few words to describe a live Basement Jaxx - The Institute, Birmingham performance by the amazing Lady G: Vocally - Amazing; Visually - Stun- ning; Verbally - Slightly embarrass- ing. Gaga treated her little monsters to The Artpop Ball at the NIA in Birm- ingham last month. Her two-hour set included a lot of swearing, a lot of outfit changes and only a few of her biggest hits, including Poker Face, Just Dance and Paparazzi. I could- n’t help feeling that the audience, along with myself, were hoping for more of the old and less of the new. But, as Lady G put it, “If you’ve come here tonight to hear all the old hits, you’d better f... off now.” Andrew Middleton nnnn

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 21 Music Dec Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:13 Page 7

Music LISTINGS

For full listing information on gigs, including times and dates, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk

Nailcote Hall, Berkswell ham Town Hall MARCIA CARR & NUBIAN THE WHO The Barclay- SOUL Hare & Hounds, card Arena (formerly Birmingham NIA), Birmingham HARARE Ort Cafe, B’ham RECKLESS LOVE The SOLID SOUL The Jam Slade Rooms, Wolver- House, Birmingham hampton CHRISTMAS WITH THE INSPIRAL CARPETS O2 RAT PACK New Alexan- Academy, Birmingham dra Theatre, B’ham MAYBESHEWILL The GORDON HENDRICKS IS Flapper, Birmingham ELVIS Theatre On The CATFISH AND THE BOT- Steps, Bridgnorth TLEMEN The Institute, IMELDA MAY The Insti- Birmingham tute, Birmingham THE FREE LOVE CLUB The A FOREIGNERS JOURNEY Yardbird Jazz Club, The Roadhouse, B’ham Birmingham DARK SKY The Oobleck, MARILLION The Assem- The Human League - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton Birmingham bly, Leamington Spa TURBOWOLF The Insti- DAN WHITEHOUSE The Birmingham Birmingham Centre, Birmingham Rooms, Stourbridge tute, Birmingham Glee Club, Birmingham ORACLE, VEXXEN, SAM- HYPE BIRMINGHAM The THE STONES The Road- LUKE DANIELS Artrix, KATONA TWINS Hunting- WED 10 DEC SARA AND MORE... The Rainbow Venues, Birm- house, Birmingham Bromsgrove don Hall, Worcs Roadhouse, B’ham ingham INTO THE SHADOWS SALLY BARKER Lichfield IRENE & TOM Irish Cen- THREE STEP MANOEUVRE NEON WALTZ The Sug- CASH (JOHNNY CASH Stafford Gatehouse Guildhall, Staffs tre, Birmingham FUNKY ORGAN TRIO The armill, Stoke-on-Trent TRIBUTE) The Road- Theatre LABOUR OF LOVE - UB40 AVONBANK BRASS BAND Yardbird Jazz Club, KATE RUSBY Symphony house, Birmingham MUSIC FOR CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE The River Evesham Arts Centre Birmingham Hall, Birmingham STONE FARM Drum- The Roses Theatre, Rooms, Stourbridge ANGEL AT MY TABLE Hare MARTIN SIMPSON The LAURA JURD QUARTET monds Bar, Worcester Tewkesbury MOSTLY AUTUMN The & Hounds, Birmingham Red Lion Folk Club, Bramall Music Building, LITTLE SIMZ, OCD: FULLY LOADED Route 44, Robin, Bilston SHALAMAR The Institute, Birmingham Birmingham MOOSH & TWIST The In- Birmingham PUNK'D Route 44, B’ham Birmingham MORBID ANGEL The Asy- THE BOOTLEG BEATLES stitute, Birmingham AMINGTON BAND PRES- THE BRITISH POLICE SYM- BIG SIXES The Sunflower lum, Birmingham Theatre Royal Concert MASSIVE HEAD TRAUMA ENTS A CELEBRATION OF PHONY ORCHESTRA Sym- Lounge, Birmingham BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB Hall, Nottingham The Marr's Bar, Worces- CHRISTMAS Tamworth phony Hall, B’ham ABSOLVA The Asylum, Civic Hall, W’hampton ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH ter Assembly Rooms, LYNUS, ROSE REDD, HOPE Birmingham FOXES Kasbah, Coven- TONY WRIGHT, CJ, PAUL JACK WALLEN Ort Cafe, Staffs STREET, LAUREN PRYKE, HANK WOOD & THE HAM- try MIRO & CHRIS CATALYST Birmingham MIDLANDS METAL CRU- HIDDEN SKIES, KILL- MERHEADS Hare & THE MOULETTES The The Slade Rooms, CHRISSIE HYNDE Wulfrun SADE III Featuring Seven GLASS, SINGING TO- Hounds, Birmingham Robin, Bilston Wolverhampton Hall, Wolverhampton Deadly, Destroyed Be- WARDS DISASTER, BROTHER STRUT Hare & DAN MESSORE AND IN- yond Belief, The Heretic SEVENDAZE & OUT OF MON 8 DEC Hounds, Birmingham FRI 12 DEC DIGO KID Symphony Order, Our World Below LUCK O2 Academy, MADDY PRIOR & THE CAR- Hall, Birmingham and more... The Slade Birmingham ONLY MEN ALOUD Birm- NIVAL BAND Huntingdon THE BOOTLEG BEATLES JESSICA RHODES The Rooms, Wolverhampton BEYOND THE BARRICADE ingham Town Hall Hall, Worcs Civic Hall, W’hampton Strawberry Bank, MAXIMUM ROBBIE - TRIB- Malvern Theatres, RAGING SPEEDHORN O2 BY THE RIVERS The Insti- THE DOORS ALIVE O2 Coventry UTE ACT Genting Club, Worcs Academy, Birmingham tute, Birmingham Academy, Birmingham ED DOOLAN CHRISTMAS Stoke-on-Trent THE MOTOWN SISTERS SAINT SAVIOUR & BILL THE LAST CARNIVAL O2 THE JAKE & ELWOOD - SHOW Symphony Hall, RED LIGHT ROOM & DUO Genting Club, RYDER-JONES Hare & Academy, Birmingham BLUES BROTHERS TRIB- Birmingham GUERILLA MONSOON The Stoke-on-Trent Hounds, Birmingham ROCKET The Jam UTE The Robin, Bilston DEAD CITY SOULS The Actress & Bishop, Birm- SOLDIER & DUKE The Ac- FISH The Robin, Bilston House, Birmingham THAT'S LIFE - & Sugarmill, Stoke-on- ingham tress & Bishop, B’ham EMBRACE Kasbah, WESTLIFE SHOW Nailcote Trent THE FATHER TEDS Irish ST AGNES FOUNTAIN Coventry THU 11 DEC Hall, Berkswell JEAN GENIE The Assem- Centre, Birmingham Huntingdon Hall, Worcs NINA NESBITT The Glee UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE bly, Leamington Spa SHAWN CUDDY Irish Cen- THE HURLING BOYS Irish Club, Birmingham ALFIE BOE LG Arena, The Jam House, Birm- INTO THE SHADOWS tre, Birmingham Centre, Birmingham THE CADILLAC THREE The Birmingham ingham Bridge House Theatre, LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL OYE SANTANA The Marr's Oobleck, Birmingham SAXON Wulfrun Hall, AMERICAN DREAMS Nail- Warwicks CHORUS Lichfield Gar- Bar, Worcester Wolverhampton cote Hall, Berkswell rick, Staffs LOVELESS LUCK, AGAINST TUE 9 DEC TAKING BACK SUNDAY MAJISTRATE The Insti- SAT 13 DEC STRATFORD CONCERT THE WHEEL & HOLLOW The Institute, B’ham tute, Birmingham BAND: A CHRISTMAS FES- PEOPLE The Oobleck, RIVAL SONS Wulfrun U.K. SUBS The Institute, BEHEMOTH O2 Acad- BON GIOVI The Robin, TIVAL Stratford Birmingham Hall, Wolverhampton Birmingham emy, Birmingham Bilston Artshouse CREAM BIRMINGHAM 8TH SABATON The Slade GOGOL BORDELLO O2 DOWN N' OUTZ The Slade ROY ORBISON AND THOSE AMONGST US ARE YEAR ANNIVERSARY The Rooms, Wolverhampton Academy, Birmingham Rooms, Wolverhampton FRIENDS Prince Of WOLVES, STRUCTURES & Rainbow Venues, Birm- THE ALBION CHRISTMAS BAD MANNERS The PARTY POPPERZ Tam- Wales Centre, Cannock MEDWAY MONOLITH The ingham BAND Ludlow Assembly Robin, Bilston worth Assembly STATUS QUO The Bar- Tin Music And Arts, THE BLOCKHEADS Hare & Rooms, Shropshire THE BORN AGAIN BEATLES Rooms, Staffs claycard Arena, B’ham Coventry Hounds, Birmingham JACK MCNEIL AND CHAR- Stafford Gatehouse ESCAPING VENDETTA O2 BEE GEES FEVER Theatre RIFF RAFF The Marr's CHRISTMAS THROUGH LIE HEYS Ort Cafe, Birm- Theatre Academy, Birmingham On The Steps, Bridg- Bar, Coventry THE AGES, CAROLS ingham THE RAT PACK Tamworth ALL ON A WINTER'S NIGHT north DIZZY LIZZY Moochers, THROUGH THE CHAIRS ROCKET The Jam Assembly Rooms, WITH JOHNNY COPPIN Ar- THE MOTELLAS Nailcote Stourbridge Stafford Town Centre House, Birmingham Staffs trix, Bromsgrove Hall, Berkswell MARTIN CARTHY BOB LOG III The Tin MATT WOOSEY The Tin KICK UP THE 80'S The UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE SUN 14 DEC Newhampton Arts Cen- Music And Arts, Coven- Music And Arts, Coven- River Rooms, Stour- The Jam House, B’ham tre, Wolverhampton try try bridge THAT'LL BE THE DAY TALON - THE BEST OF EA- THE BOOTLEG BEATLES ROY WOOD CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS WITH THE ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN CHRISTMAS SHOW Birm- GLES Prince Of Wales De Montfort Hall, CONCERT Symphony RAT PACK Victoria Hall, The Institute, Birming- ingham Town Hall Centre, Cannock Leicester Hall, Birmingham Stoke-on-Trent ham MADNESS LG Arena, CAST The Institute, Birm- MORAL PANICS The Sug- '68 O2 Academy, B’ham INSOLITO O2 Academy, CAROLS AND CAPERS The Birmingham ingham armill, Stoke-on-Trent BYRON HARE The Sun- Birmingham Roses Theatre, Tewkes- THE CROCKERS Wulfrun CHRIS REA The Barclay- HEADBANGERS BALL The flower Lounge, B’ham UP4 THE DOWNSTROKE bury Hall, Wolverhampton card Arena (formerly Flapper, Birmingham THE LITTLE UNSAID Hare The Jam House, Birm- FRED ZEPPELIN Route BLUE ZOO The Flapper, NIA), Birmingham & Hounds, Birmingham ingham 44, Birmingham Birmingham LEVERET The Morris SUN 7 DEC CHRISTMAS WITH THE RICHIE RAMONE The As- BEE GEES FEVER Theatre LPZKIN O2 Academy, Hall, Shrewsbury PUPPINI SISTERS The sembly, Leamington On The Steps, Bridg- Birmingham ENNIO MORRICONE LG north ROD AND THE FACEZ The Glee Club, Birmingham Spa TALON - THE BEST OF EA- Arena, Birmingham MICHELLE LAWSON Roadhouse, B’ham JENNY JONES The Robin, LAETITIA SADIER Hare & GLES Malvern Theatres THE ALBION CHRISTMAS Genting Club, Stoke-on- AT THE GATES The Bilston Hounds, Birmingham ERIC MARTIN The BAND mac, Birmingham Trent Oobleck, Birmingham GARETH FOWLER QUAR- HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEM- Oobleck, Birmingham DEVIL’S DANCE The UNDER THE COVERS Irish RODDY FRAME Birming- TET The Spotted Dog, BLE Hare & Hounds, ULTRA 90S The River Roadhouse, B’ham

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TEWKESBURY TOWN River Rooms, Stour- Oobleck, Birmingham THE ALBION, BONSAI & OUT 2 FUNK The SIONETTES The River BAND The Roses The- bridge BACK TO THE 80'S THE REBELLION The Sug- Roadhouse, B’ham Rooms, Stourbridge atre, Tewkesbury Genting Club, Stoke-on- armill, Stoke-on-Trent RED BIRD SKY Kitchen THU 18 DEC Trent SAT 27 DEC MON 29 DEC Garden Cafe, B’ham THE FULL SHA BANG Irish TUE 23 DEC THE DYLAN PROJECT THE BOOTLEG BEATLES Centre, Birmingham MOTOWN LEGENDS PARTY THE SOUND OF MUSICALS Lichfield Guildhall, Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- OUT OF TIME CHRISTMAS JERSEY 4 Nailcote Hall, WITH SOUL LEGEND Nail- Symphony Hall, B’ham Staffs Trent SPECIAL Newhampton Berkswell cote Hall, Berkswell DEFINITELY MIGHT BE TOUCHSTONE The Robin, NYA KING AS WHITNEY Arts Centre, Wolver- CHRISTMAS WITH THE GLENN MILLER ORCHES- AND ADORED The Robin, Bilston HOUSTON Nailcote Hall, hampton RAT PACK Wulfrun Hall, TRA Symphony Hall, Bilston THE FREE LOVE CLUB The Berkswell, Warwickshire PALEMAN The Rainbow Wolverhampton Birmingham GENERATIONS The Sug- Yardbird Jazz Club, SLADE The Robin, Bil- Venues, Birmingham THE DIRTY OLD FOLKERS MR BEN The Jam armill, Stoke-on-Trent Birmingham ston THE NOTEBENDERS Sym- Kitchen Garden Cafe, House, Birmingham MADDY PRIOR & THE CAR- CHINA DRUM The Insti- phony Hall, Birmingham Birmingham SUPREME QUEEN The TUE 30 DEC NIVAL BAND Birmingham tute, Birmingham KILLERSTREAM Drum- FRED ZEPPELIN The River Rooms, Stour- THE MELLSTOCK BAND Town Hall monds Bar, Worcester Robin, Bilston bridge THE TREVOR BURTON Lord Leycester Hospi- ROXY MAGIC ORCHARD HILL O2 Acad- WAIT FOR THE FALL, KEEP BLAST FROM THE PAST The Road- CHRISTMAS SHOW The tal, Coventry emy, Birmingham THE CHANGE, SPEAKING PRESENTS - A MEDIEVAL house, Birmingham Roadhouse, B’ham LIVE & PICKING BRETFORTON SILVER IN SHADOWS & YOU CHRISTMAS Huntingdon MAINLY MADNESS The THE SOUL SURVIVORS Newhampton Arts Cen- BAND Evesham Arts KNOW THE DRILL The In- Hall, Worcs Robin, Bilston The Robin, Bilston Centre, Worcs tre, Wolverhampton stitute, Birmingham JAMIE KNIGHT & THE FLARES PARTY BAND EAMMON MCCANN Irish MACHINE HEAD O2 Acad- TRIAXIS The Asylum, MANUKA BAND Artrix, Route 44, Birmingham WED 31 DEC Centre, Birmingham emy, Birmingham Birmingham Bromsgrove ELVIS TRIBUTE BY ANDY KATE RUSBY Malvern WHITE Irish Centre, H.E.A.T The Slade Birmingham WHITE NOISE THEORY T.REXTASY The Robin, Rooms, Wolverhampton Theatres SAT 20 DEC The Sugarmill, Stoke- Birmingham Bilston EAMMON MCCANN Irish GORDON GILTRAP on-Trent THE BHANGRA LEGENDS THE DELRAY ROCKETS Centre, Irish Centre Stafford Gatehouse THE ENEMY & THE TWANG BEAT BROTHERS The Jam Civic Hall, Birmingham The Roadhouse, B’ham Theatre O2 Academy, B’ham House, Birmingham LAWLESS The Sugarmill, NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA MON 15 DEC KERI ARRINDELL Genting BOOTLEG ABBA Nailcote Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Hall, B’ham Club, Stoke-on-Trent Hall, Berkswell WED 24 DEC NEW YEAR'S EVE - ROUTE THE BOOTLEG BEATLES THE WONDER STUFF O2 THE BROTHERS OF SOUL SUN 28 DEC 44 PARTY NIGHT Route Symphony Hall, B’ham Academy, Birmingham Nailcote Hall, Berkswell SKABUCKS The Road- 44, Birmingham LINDISFARNE CHRISTMAS LIFESIGNS The Assem- THE MARTIN BARRE BAND house, Birmingham THE VERY BEST OF JOHN THE FATHER TEDS Irish SHOW The Robin, Bil- bly, Leamington Spa The Assembly, Leam- THE CAVERN BEATLES WILLIAMS Symphony Centre, Birmingham ston THE ALBION CHRISTMAS ington Spa The Robin, Bilston Hall, Birmingham SEAN WILSON Irish Cen- CHRISTMAS WITH THE BAND Huntingdon Hall, SWORN TO OATH The THE FREE LOVE CLUB The tre, Birmingham RAT PACK The Roses Worcs Sugarmill, Stoke-on- FRI 26 DEC Yardbird Jazz Club, SWINGAMAJIG NEW Theatre, Tewkesbury BLOBBIE WILLIAMS The Trent Birmingham YEAR'S EVE The MR BEN The Jam IN THE CARDS The Sug- Roadhouse, B’ham KICK UP THE 80'S The LITTLE JIMMY Irish Cen- Oobleck, Birmingham House, Birmingham armill, Stoke-on-Trent WILEY The Institute, River Rooms, Stour- tre, Birmingham THE DECADES BAND The LIMEHOUSE LIZZY The Birmingham bridge HEAVENLY SINNERS The River Rooms, Stour- Robin, Bilston THE DYLAN PROJECT DARK SIDE OF THE WALL Roadhouse, B’ham bridge TUE 16 DEC THE BON JOVI EXPERI- Hare & Hounds, B’ham The Roadhouse, B’ham IVOR & LYN'S CLASSIC GLOBAL GATHERING NYE ENCE The River Rooms, DEACON BLUE Sym- BIG TENT AND THE GYPSY TALON - THE BEST OF EA- ROCK NIGHT Route 44, Featuring Wilkinson & Stoubridge phony Hall, Birmingham LANTERN Ort Cafe, Birm- GLES The Robin, Bilston Birmingham David Rodigan, The In- THE NORTORIOUS BROTH- ARCH ENEMY & KREATOR ingham ROBERT ALEXANDER DIRTY DC - TRIBUTE TO AC stitute, Birmingham ERS Route 44, B’ham The Institute, B’ham RICHIE RAMONE Kasbah, GILES - MICHAEL JACK- / DC The Robin, Bilston THE SUBTERRANEANS THE HURLING BOYS Irish THE DIRTY OLD FOLKERS Coventry SON TRIBUTE Route 44, ELIVS PRESLEY - GORDON The Jam House, B’ham Kitchen Garden Cafe, HANGING TREE The Birmingham Centre, Birmingham HENDRICKS & THE PAS- Birmingham Marr's Bar, Coventry LIAM KELLY Genting MICHAEL SCHENKER'S E OF E The River Rooms, Club, Stoke-on-Trent TEMPLE OF ROCK The Stourbridge BUZZARD LOPE & GILL Robin, Bilston INSCRIPTIONS The Sug- SANDELL Ort Cafe, Birm- Music Venues Box Office Across The Midlands MIKE SANCHEZ Hunting- armill, Stoke-on-Trent ingham don Hall, Worcs JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS THEIA The Slade THE BBC BIG BAND PRES- RHYTHM & BLUES OR- Rooms, Wolverhampton Birmingham THE YARDBIRD Staffordshire 0121 212 2524 ENTS A SWINGING CHESTRA Symphony JAMIE KNIGHT AND THE 02 ACADEMY FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, LEEK CHRISTMAS Birmingham Hall, Birmingham MANUKA BAND Hunting- 0121 622 8250 01538 386112 Town Hall DETROIT SOUL The Jam don Hall, Worcs THE ACTRESS & BISHOP Black Country LICHFIELD GUILDHALL THE JONATHAN SILK BIG House, Birmingham GBH, DRONGOS FOR EU- 0121 236 7426 CIVIC HALL, WOLVERHAMPTON 01543 262223 0870 320 7000 BAND The Spotted Dog, ROPE & EASTFIELD The ADRIAN BOULT HALL THE SUGARMILL, HANLEY 0121 331 5901 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL STOKE-ON-TRENT Birmingham FRI 19 DEC Institute, Birmingham 01384 815577 RED LEMONS The Jam DETROIT SOUL The Jam THE ASYLUM 01159 454 593 FOREST ARTS CENTRE BAD MANNERS The As- 0121 233 1109 TAMWORTH ASSEMBLY ROOMS House, Birmingham House, Birmingham 0845 111 2898 sembly, Leamington THE BARBER INSTITUTE 01827 709618 Spa 0121 414 7333 NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE SUN 21 DEC 01902 572090 VICTORIA HALL, HANLEY WED 17 DEC SWINGING 60'S MOTOWN BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL 0870 060 6649 0121 780 3333 ROBIN 2, BILSTON JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS PARTY WITH THE KRYS- CHAS AND DAVE The 01902 401211 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE RHYTHM & BLUES OR- TALETTES Nailcote Hall, Robin, Bilston CBSO CENTRE 01785 254653 0121 780 3333 SLADE ROOMS CHESTRA Symphony Berkswell THE FREE LOVE CLUB The WOLVERHAMPTON Hall, Birmingham DETROIT SOUL The Jam Yardbird Jazz Club, FLAPPER 0121 236 2421 0870 320 7000 Warwickshire ARTHUR DOHERTY BAND House, Birmingham Birmingham THE GLEE CLUB STOURBRIDGE TOWN HALL THE ASSEMBLY, LEAMINGTON Stafford Gatehouse THE BARRY WHITE SHOW TOM HEALY BAND Irish 0871 472 0400 01384 812812 01926 311311 Theatre WITH THE DIVAS OF MO- Centre, Birmingham HARE & HOUNDS WULFRUN HALL, THE KASBAH, COVENTRY TOWN Nailcote Hall, THE SPEAKEASY Kitchen 0121 444 2081 WOLVERHAMPTON 024 7655 4473 RED LEMONS The Jam 0870 320 7000 House, Birmingham Berkswell Garden Cafe, B’ham THE INSTITUTE NAILCOTE HALL, 0121 643 0428 MAD JOCKS AND ENG- UB40 O2 Academy, DOWNSHIFT The Road- BERKSWELL IRISH CENTRE Shropshire 02476 46 6174 LISHMEN The Red Lion Birmingham house, Birmingham 0121 622 2314 BIRCHMEADOW, BROSELEY Folk Club, Birmingham THE 90’S NIGHTMARE BE- ALTERNATIVE DUBSTEP STRATFORD CIVIC HALL THE JAM HOUSE 01952 882210 01789 207100 HEFFRON DRIVE FORE CHRISTMAS The In- ORCHESTRA Hare & O2 0121 200 3030 THE BUTTERMARKET, Academy, Birmingham stitute, Birmingham Hounds, Birmingham THE TIN MUSIC & ARTS, THE KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE SHREWSBURY COVENTRY THE ALBION CHRISTMAS A GERMAN CHRISTMAS 01743 355055 Malvern Theatres 0121 443 4725 0247 655 9958 BAND New Vic Theatre, MON 22 DEC THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, THE STONES Theatre On LG ARENA Newcastle-under-Lyme, 0844 338 8000 MUCH WENLOCK Worcestershire The Steps, Bridgnorth ROD STEWART TRIBUTE - 01952 728911 Staffs GARRY PEASE Nailcote NIA ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE LARRY MILLER The HENRY TUDOR HOUSE MIKE SANCHEZ The Hall, Berkswell 0844 338 8000 01527 577330 Robin, Bilston Marr's Bar, Worcester SHREWSBURY ONE STOP BOOGIE - 70S V GOSPEL CENTRAL The THE RAINBOW 01743 361666 HUNTINGDON HALL / SWAN THE MELLSTOCK BAND 0121 772 8174 THEATRE 01905 611427 80S The River Rooms, Jam House, B’ham THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY Lord Leycester Hospi- RED LION FOLK CLUB Stourbridge CHRISTMAS CAROL SIN- 01743 234970 MARR’S BAR, WORCESTER tal, Coventry 0121472 4253 01905 613336 SLADE UK The Road- GALONG Symphony Hall, LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS DEAF HAVANA Kasbah, THE ROADHOUSE house, Birmingham Birmingham 01584 878141 THE RIVER ROOMS, Coventry 0121 246 2273 STOURBRIDGE KICK UP THE 80'S The A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS THEATRE SEVERN, CANTERBURY The Flap- Lichfield Guildhall, ROUTE 44 SHREWSBURY 01743 281281 01384 397177 per, Birmingham Robin, Bilston 0121 708 0108 THE ALI CLINTON BAND & Staffs THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, HOZIER The Institute, SYMPHONY HALL TELFORD 01952 382382 THE Z F PROJECT SWEET The Robin, Bil- For additional information Birmingham Route 0121 780 3333 and to find out What’s On 44, Birmingham ston WEM TOWN HALL GIN ANNIE & NOISE POL- THE VICTORIA 01939 232299 at these venues. 3 DAFT MONKEYS The BIG BOY BLOATER Hare & 0121 633 9439 LUTION ROCK DISCO The Hounds, Birmingham Visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

For full music listings in the West Midlands, visit. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 23 Classical Dec Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 12:57 Page 1

Classical Music PREVIEWS Alfie Boe LG Arena, Birmingham, Thurs 11 December Alfie Boe this month makes a welcome return to the Midlands as part of his second ‘Simply the greatest all-round opera UK arena tour. One of the most talented experience available in this country’ crossover artists of modern times, Alfie BBC Music Magazine here performs tracks from latest album Ser- enata - a collection from the golden era of Italian song that’s widely considered to be his most romantic offering yet. Alfie’s joined on stage by New Zealand’s internationally renowned singing trio, Sol3 Mio. Tenor brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and their baritone cousin Moses Mackay fuse powerful operatics with Samoan humour to ‘break down the perceived barri- ers and stereotypes of the music’, at the same time breathing new life into time-hon- oured classics. Sol3 Mio’s self-titled debut album, featuring Nessun Dorma, Amazing Grace and O Sole Mio, was New Zealand’s biggest seller of 2013, beating off opposi- tion from regular chart-toppers Susan Boyle and One Direction.

Glyndebourne On Tour: La Traviata Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tues 9 - Wed 10 December As committed to reaching new audiences as it is to presenting opera of the highest quality, Glyndebourne has been taking its work out on the road every autumn since 1968. A regular at Stoke’s Regent Theatre, the company this month returns to the venue with a new production of Verdi’s La Traviata. One of the most popular operas of all time, La Traviata tells the story of Violetta, a nineteenth century Parisian courtesan who, aspiring to a better life, becomes involved with a man who may finally make her dreams come true. Written by Verdi at the peak of his powers, the work covers a subject of intense personal signif- icance to the Italian composer - he and the singer Giuseppina Strepponi lived together for ten years before they married, enduring the objections of those who viewed her as a woman of no worth or moral standing. This particular production is sung in Italian with English surtitles.

Festive Favourites With Hugh Dennis Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sun 22 December Christmas Classics Outnumbered star Hugh Dennis Symphony Hall, Birmingham, hosts this firm festive favourite, Sat 20 December which sees the City Of Birming- Larger-than-life thespian and ‘devilish story- ham Symphony Orchestra teller’ Brian Blessed here presents a series (CBSO) presenting an evening of of festive readings to complement a host of classic carols and seasonal sto- favourite Christmas songs. Directed by con- ries. Members of the audience are ductor Adrian Lucas and accompanied by invited to get into the festive spirit soprano Elizabeth Atherton, the London by joining the CBSO’s famous Ex Cathedra Concert Orchestra perform a programme of choruses in a Christmas singa- St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury, Tues 2 December; Sym- carols for all, including: Good King Wences- long. Simon Halsey conducts. phony Hall, Birmingham, Sun 7 December; Birmingham las; O Come, All Ye Faithful; Once In Royal Cathedral, Mon 8 December; Sy John’s Church, Hagley, David’s City; The First Nowell; and O Little Birmingham, Tues 9 December; Hereford Cathedral, Wed Town Of Bethlehem. The programme also 10 December; St Paul’s Church, Birmingham, Fri 19 - Sat features Darke’s In The Bleak Midwinter, 20 & Mon 22 - Tues 23 December Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel Overture What better way to get into the festive spirit than by and Mozart’s Alleluia from Exsultate Jubi- enjoying an evening with one of the country’s finest late. choral music ensembles? Under the directorship of its founder, Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra this month pres- ents a series of atmospheric ‘ by can- dlelight’ evenings, blending seasonal favourites from around the globe and across the ages with a variety of readings. Keeping in the festive spirit, the ensemble also presents Handel’s Messiah at Symphony Hall on 7 December; Santa Lucia Service - a traditional Swedish service of carols and readings at Birmingham Cathedral on 8 December; An Elizabethan Evening featuring the music of Byrd, Gibbons, Tallis and Sheppard at Hereford Cathedral on 10 December; and Angels, Stars And Kings - a relaxed family concert at St Paul’s Church, Birming- ham, on 20 December. Brian Blessed 24 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Classical Dec Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 12:57 Page 2

ny Hall, Birmingham LISTINGS UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S Classical CHOIR Fri 12 Dec, The For full listing information on classical Barber Institute, B’ham ANDREW LITTON & CBSO concerts, including times and dates, PLAYERS Feat. Andrew visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Litton (piano), Fri 12 Dec, CBSO Centre, EX CATHEDRA - CHRIST- THE SALSEDO ENSEMBLE: Birmingham MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT PHOENIX SINGERS Fea- LIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Sat 6 Dec, Charlemont turing James Llewellyn Skidmore (conductor), Methodist Church, West Jones (conductor) & Alexander Mason Bromwich Sara Wilander (accom- (organ) & Lynda Sayce EX CATHEDRA: HANDEL’S panist), Sat 13 Dec, (guitar), Tue 2 Dec, St MESSIAH Sun 7 Dec, Adrian Boult Hall, Birm- Chad's Church, Symphony Hall, B’ham ingham Conservatoire Shrewsbury ONLY MEN ALOUD Mon 8 AMINGTON BAND PRES- MICHAEL BUBLE Tue 2 - Dec, Birmingham Town ENTS A CELEBRATION OF Wed 3 Dec, The Bar- Hall CHRISTMAS Sat 13 Dec, claycard Arena, B’ham SANTA LUCIA SERVICE Ex Tamworth Assembly CBSO MACMILLAN'S ST Cathedra present a tra- Rooms LUKE PASSION Thurs 4 ditional Swedish service CBSO ELGAR'S ENIGMA Dec, Symphony Hall, of carols & readings by VARIATIONS Sat 13 Dec, Birmingham candlelight, Mon 8 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham WBS EXPRESS CONCERT Birmingham Cathedral CAROLS FOR ALL Featur- Thurs 4 Dec, The Edge LA TRAVIATA Glynde- ing the Maldwyn Andre Rieu - LG Arena, Birmingham Arts Centre, Much Wen- bourne present a new Strings, The Shrews- lock, South Shropshire version of Verdi's mas- bury Consort of Elizabethan style, with Paul Spicer & featuring Hall, B’ham SENIOR CITIZENS terpiece, Tue 9 - Wed Recorders & Shrews- traditional music, songs organist Paul Carr, Sun LONDON CONCERT ORCHESTRA CONCERT 10 Dec, Regent The- bury Handbells. Con- and stories from Tudor 21 Dec, St Paul’s ORCHESTRA: NEW YEAR’S Thurs 4 Dec, Forest atre, Stoke-on-Trent ducted by Richard times, Fri 19 Dec, Church, Jewellery EVE GALA Programme Arts Centre, Walsall LUNCHTIME CHRISTMAS White. All proceeds to Stafford Gatehouse Quarter, Birmingham includes works by TRIO SEVERN Pro- MUSIC WITH THE CHOIR The Cystic Fibrosis Theatre CBSO FESTIVE Mendelssohn, Sousa, gramme includes works OF WINCHESTER CATHE- Trust & The Hamar A CHRISTMAS CELEBRA- FAVOURITES WITH HUGH Grieg, Mascagni, by Schubert & Arensky, DRAL Tue 9 Dec, Sym- Centre, Shrewsbury, TION OF THE GREAT DENNIS Sun 21 - Mon Sibelius, Ravel, Elgar, Thurs 4 Dec, CBSO phony Hall, B’ham Sat 13 Dec, St Alk- CROONERS Join Matthew 22 Dec, Symphony Rossini, Verdi & Centre, Birmingham MIDLANDS HOSPITALS' mund’s Church, Long for a festive cele- Hall, Birmingham Tchaikovsky, Wed 31 JEFF WAYNE'S MUSICAL CHOIR - CAROLS THAT Shrewsbury bration, featuring the JONATHAN COHEN Dec, Symphony Hall, VERSION OF THE WAR OF COUNT Tue 9 Dec, SONGS OF THE ANGELS: works of Perry Como, CHRISTMAS CAROL SIN- Birmingham THE WORLDS Fri 5 Dec, Birmingham Town Hall CHRISTMAS CHARITY Frank Sinatra, Matt GALONG Mon 22 Dec, LG Arena, Birmingham EX CATHEDRA - CHRIST- CONCERT Featuring Monro and many Symphony Hall, Birm- IGOR LEVIT PLAYS RACH- MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- Birmingham Festival more... Fri 19 Dec, ingham Classical MANINOV Fri 5 Dec, LIGHT Featuring Jeffrey Choral Society with the mac, Birmingham EX CATHEDRA: CHRIST- Box Birmingham Town Hall Skidmore (conductor), choristers of St CBSO FESTIVE MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- NAVARRA QUARTET WITH Alexander Mason Alphege, Solihull; Joe FAVOURITES WITH HUGH LIGHT Mon 22 - Tues 23 Office ALEXANDER BOYD Fri 5 (organ) & Lynda Sayce Cooper (organ) & DENNIS Fri 19 Dec, Dec, St Paul’s Church, Dec, The Barber Insti- (guitar), Tue 9 Dec, St Patrick Larley (conduc- Symphony Hall, Birm- Birmingham ABEEY CHURCH , tute, Birmingham Uni- John’s Church, Hagley, tor), Sat 13 Dec, St ingham BERKLEY SALON ENSEM- SHREWSBURY versity Birmingham John’s & St Peter’s THE KLEE QUARTET Pro- BLE Mon 22 Dec, CBSO 01743 232723 CBSO BRASS ENSEMBLE: CBSO ELGAR'S ENIGMA gramme includes works Centre, Birmingham Church, Ladywood ADRIAN BOULT HALL, CHRISTMAS CRACKERS VARIATIONS Wed 10 ARC, Birmingham by Haydn, Stravinsky & THE MESSIAH Presented BIRMINGHAM Featuring the CBSO Dec, Symphony Hall, GLORIOUS MESSIAH Fea- Mendelssohn, Fri 19 by Shrewsbury School 0121 331 5901 Brass Ensemble & Birmingham turing the Lichfield Dec, The Round Room, Community Choir & Catherine Arlidge (pre- ALFIE BOE Thurs 11 Dec, Cathedral Chorus & Birmingham Museum & Guests, Tues 23 Dec, BARBER INSTITUTE, senter), Fri 5 - Sat 6 LG Arena, B’ham Staffordshire Band, Sat Art Gallery The Abbey, Shrewsbury BIRMINGHAM Dec, CBSO Centre, LAURA JURD QUARTET 13 Dec, Lichfield Cathe- BIRMINGHAM CONSERVA- LONDON CONCERT 0121 414 7333 Birmingham Featuring 2014 Yamaha dral TOIRE REPERTOIRE ORCHESTRA: THE GLORY BIRMINGHAM CATHEDRAL A VIENNESE STRAUSS Jazz Scholar Award- BIRMINGHAM BACH ORCHESTRA Programme OF CHRISTMAS Wed 24 0121 262 1840 GALA Sat 6 Dec, Crewe winner Elliot Galvin on CHOIR: CAROLS BY CAN- includes works by Dec, Symphony Hall, BIRMINGHAM Lyceum piano & Corrie Dick on DLELIGHT Sat 13 Dec, St Mahler, Mozart, Fang Birmingham THE BRITISH POLICE drums, Thurs 11 Dec, Francis Of Assisi, Fang & Dvorak, Fri 19 LONDON CONCERT CONSERVATOIRE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Bramall Music Building, Bournville, B’ham Dec, Adrian Boult Hall, ORCHESTRA: LAST NIGHT 0121 331 5901/2 PROMS NIGHT SPECTACU- Birmingham CHRISTMAS WITH THE Birmingham Conserva- OF THE CHRISTMAS BIRMINGHAM & MIDLAND LAR Sat 6 Dec, Sym- THE MIDLAND PIANO TRIO SALVATION ARMY Sun 14 toire PROMS Featuring Hilary INSTITUTE phony Hall, B’ham & BRIAN PERKINS (GUI- Dec, Symphony Hall, EX CATHEDRA - CHRIST- Davan Wetton (conduc- 0121 236 3591 MIDLANDS FRETTED TAR): THE MAGIC OF Birmingham MAS MUSIC BY CANDLE- tor), Philip O'Brien BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL ORCHESTRA Sat 6 Dec, SPAIN Programme BIRMINGHAM PHILHAR- LIGHT Featuring Jeffrey (tenor), James Clever- 0121 780 3333 Bonded Warehouse, includes works by MONIC ORCHESTRA: Skidmore (conductor), ton (baritone). Pro- BRAMALL CONCERT Stourbridge Manuel de Falla & Alb- FIRST & LAST Pro- Alexander Mason gramme includes works CHRISTMAS CONCERT In eniz, Fri 12 Dec, Birm- gramme includes works (organ) & Lynda Sayce by Rossini, Sousa, HALL, BIRMINGHAM aid of the Hope & ingham & Midland Insti- by Butterworth, Strauss (guitar), Fri 19 - Sat 20 Bizet, Verdi, Ravel, 0121 414 3344 Homes For Children tute, Birmingham & Mahler, Sun 14 Dec, Dec, St Paul’s Church, Denza and Grieg, Sat CBSO CENTRE, Charity, Sat 6 Dec, CITY OF BIRMINGHAM Bramall Music Building, Birmingham 27 Dec, Symphony BIRMINGHAM Maidment Auditorium, CHOIR: HANDEL’S MESSI- Birmingham CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Hall, Birmingham 0121 780 3333 Shrewsbury School AH Fri 12 Dec, Sympho- SING CAROLS WITH THE Sat 20 Dec, Symphony MOZART FESTIVAL LUDLOW ASSEMBLY CITY ORGANIST Present- Hall, Birmingham ORCHESTRA: GLORIOUS ROOMS, SOUTH Christopher Warren-Green: Beethoven’s Ninth, ed by Jeremy Nicholas, THE FRONCYSYLITE MALE HANDEL BY CANDLELIGHT SHROPSHIRE Symphony Hall, Birmingham Mon 15 Dec, Birming- VOICE CHOIR Sat 20 Sun 28 Dec, Symphony 01584 873229 ham Town Hall Dec, New Vic Theatre, Hall, Birmingham CHRISTMAS WITH THE Newcastle-under-Lyme LONDON CONCERT MAIDMENT HALL, TOWN HALL GOSPEL CHRISTMAS BY CANDLE- ORCHESTRA: THE VERY SHREWSBURY SCHOOL CHOIR Hosted by BBC LIGHT Sat 20 Dec, Lich- BEST OF JOHN WILLIAMS 01743 280810 WM presenter Nikki field Cathedral Sun 28 Dec, Symphony ST ALBAN THE MARTYR, Tapper, Mon 15 Dec, LONDON CONCERT Hall, Birmingham BIRMINGHAM Birmingham Town Hall ORCHESTRA: CHRISTMAS CBSO NELSONS CON- 0121 440 4605 CLASSICS DUCTS BRUCKNER'S SEV- THE BBC BIG BAND PRES- Feat. festive ST CHAD’S CATHEDRAL, ENTS A SWINGING readings by Brian ENTH Mon 29 Dec, BIRMINGHAM CHRISTMAS Tue 16 Dec, Blessed, Sat 20 Dec, Symphony Hall, B’ham 0121 236 2251 Birmingham Town Hall Symphony Hall, B’ham LONDON CONCERT ANDRE RIEU Wed 17 EX CATHEDRA: ANGELS, ORCHESTRA: THE SOUND ST FRANCES CHURCH, Dec, LG Arena, B’ham STARS & KINGS Family OF THE MUSICALS feat. BIRMINGHAM CHRISTMAS WITH Christmas music by Summer Strallen, Kerry 0121 472 7215 CANOLDIR Thurs 18 Dec, candlelight, Sat 20 Dec, Ellis, Graham Bickley & STRATFORD CIVIC HALL Birmingham Town Hall St Paul’s Church, Birm- Tim Howard, Mon 29 01789 207100 PIVA: OLD CHRISTMAS ingham Dec, Symphony Hall, SYMPHONY HALL, RETURN'D BIRMINGHAM BACH Birmingham Evening of BIRMINGHAM music celebrating the CHOIR: NINE LESSONS & BEETHOVEN'S NINTH Tue 0121 780 3333 yuletide season in true CAROLS Conducted by 30 Dec, Symphony

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Seann Walsh Comedy Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, Thursday 18 December Box Office Seann Walsh is such a popular comedian he ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE could even give Real Madrid a run for their 01527 577330 money when it comes to the acquisition of sil- BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL verware. The multi-award-winning star of televi- 0121 780 3333 sion shows such as Mock The Week and CIVIC HALL, Russell Howard’s Good News Extra, Seann’s WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 been likened to the legendary Billy Connolly in COURTYARD THEATRE, terms of his gift for storytelling. His jokes aren’t HEREFORD bad either, with two examples being as follows: 01432 340555 “I don't understand swimming. You don't see THE DRUM, BIRMINGHAM fish going for a walk” and “Are city centre beat 0121 333 2444 officers police who rap?” DRUMMONDS BAR, WORCESTER 01905 28190 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, Jeremy Hardy MUCH WENLOCK 01952 728911 Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, EVESHAM ARTS CENTRE, Friday 12 December WORCESTERSHIRE “In an ideal world," The Guardian once wrote, 01386 446944 "Jeremy Hardy would be extremely famous - FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, but an ideal world would leave him without LEEK, STAFFS 01538 386112 most of his best material." THE GEORGE HOTEL, Hardy has developed a reputation for being BURSLEM, STAFFS one of the most topical comedians on the cir- 07763301081 cuit. He blends his concerns about the modern- THE GLEE CLUB, BIRMINGHAM day world with a humour that makes his some- 0871 4720400 times controversial subject matter all the more HIGHLIGHT, BIRMINGHAM accessible and thought-provoking. Russell Howard 0844 844 0044 HUNTINGDON HALL, LG Arena, Birmingham, Sunday 21 December WORCESTER, According to his mother - Russell Howard reveals - his comic style 01905 611427 KITCHEN GARDEN CAFE, Rob Deering calls to mind a child telling people about his day at the zoo. And in BIRMINGHAM Henry Tudor House, Shrewsbury, fairness, Mrs H’s assessment is a pretty accurate one... 0121 443 4725 Sunday 14 December Gags include, “A Levels are getting easier; in my day you had to do LUDLOW ASSEMBLY Rob Deering has successfully built on the ben- fifty questions in a minute, and if you got one wrong they killed your ROOMS dad!” and “Anyone else wonder if the Queen ever props her quilt 01584 878141 efit of having a face that was made for comedy MAC, BIRMINGHAM to turn himself into a rather splendid finished cover up to her neck whilst in bed and says 'Look Philip, I'm a 0121 446 3232 product. He’s been described as a man with stamp!'?" OAKENGATES THEATRE, ‘clownish physicality’ and ‘easy charm’ - and TELFORD 01952 382382 on the back of such qualities he’s nurtured a PALACE THEATRE, small army of hugely dedicated fans, all of REDDITCH whom are addicted to the pleasures of an Zoe Lyons 01527 65203 evening in the company of his razor-sharp wit. PLAYERS BAR, The George Hotel, Lichfield, BIRMINGHAM Tues 23 December 0121 643 6871 High on confidence and blessed THE ROSES THEATRE TEWKESBURY with a razor-sharp wit - which, let’s 01684 295074 face it, are pretty vital commodities ROYAL SPA CENTRE, for a successful comedian to LEAMINGTON SPA possess - Zoe Lyons creates 01926 334418 funny routines based on SHOWCASE, COVENTRY 0871 220 1000 astute observation of life’s THE SLADE ROOMS, absurdities. She came to WOLVERHAMPTON prominence in 2004 when 0870 320 7000 she won the Nivea Funny SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 0121 704 6962 Women Award, since STAFFORD GATEHOUSE which time she’s been THEATRE garnering plaudits like 01785 619080 they’re going out of THEATRE SEVERN, SHREWSBURY fashion. Described by 01743 281281 one reviewer as ‘Alan WARWICK ARTS CENTRE Bennett on speed’, her jokes 02476 524524 include: ‘The old blind fisher- WULFRUN HALL, man liked nothing more than WOLVERHAMPTON 0870 320 7000 coming home and putting on a pair of his favourite kippers.’

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BERNSTEIN, ANDY LISTINGS ROBINSON AND JOE Comedy LYCETT Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham For full listing information on comedy KEN DODD Sun 14 Dec, gigs including times and dates visit Civic Hall, W’hmapton www.whatsonlive.co.uk ROB DEERING, BLAIR DUNLOP AND BETH PRIOR Sun 14 Dec, Henry MARK STEEL Wed 3 Dec, SHOWCASE Sat 6 Dec, Tudor House, Artrix, Bromsgrove mac, Birmingham Shrewsbury CRAIG MURRAY, GEOFF ROUGH WORKS NEW TOADALLY FREE COMEDY! NORCOTT AND MARLON MATERIAL NIGHT Sun 7 Mon 15 Dec, The Blue DAVIS Wed 3 Dec, The Dec, The Glee Club, Orange Theatre, B’ham Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham MICKEY D, ALISTAIR LEE NELSON Wed 3 Dec, LOUDEEMY SOUP BARRIE, DANA The Roses Theatre, COMEDY NIGHT Mon 8 ALEXANDER AND Tewkesbury Dec, The Blue Orange RAYMOND & MR DAWN FRENCH Wed 3 Theatre, Birmingham TIMPKINS REVIEW Tues Dec, Warwick Arts IAN D MONTFORT, TOM 16 Dec, Jongleurs Centre, Coventry BINNS AND IVAN Comedy Club, B’ham ALAN DAVIS Thurs 4 BRACKENBURY Tues 9 LEE MAC Tues 16 - Wed Dec, De Montfort Hall, Dec, Station Pub, 17 Dec, Civic Hall, Leicester Sutton Coldfield Wolverhampton ROB ROUSE, GEOFF COMEDY EVENING WITH MICKEY D, ADDY VAN DE NORCOTT AND MARLON MRS BARBARA NICE AND BORGH, DANA DAVIS Thurs 4 Dec, The JO ENRIGHT Tues 9 Dec, ALEXANDER AND Glee Club, Birmingham mac, Birmingham RAYMOND & MR NOEL FIELDING Thurs 4 JEN BRISTER, MAUREEN TIMPKINS REVIEW Wed Dec, Crewe Lyceum YOUNGER Wed 10 Dec, 17 Dec, Jongleurs SUSAN CALMAN Thurs 4 Kitchen Garden Cafe, Comedy Club, B’ham Dec, Artrix, Bromsgrove Birmingham DAN NIGHTINGALE, MARK KUM-N-AVALOFF COMEDY ALEX BOARDMAN, SEAN OLVER AND CHARLIE NIGHT Thurs 4 Dec, PERCIVAL, TANYALEE BAKER Wed 17 - Thurs Stourbridge Town Hall DAVIS AND ROBERT 18 Dec, The Glee Club, ANDY WHITE, CAIMAH WHITE Wed 10 Dec, Birmingham Noel Fielding - Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent & Crewe Lyceum MCDONNELL, PETE Jongleurs Comedy SEANN WALSH Thurs 18 PAUL THORNE, JIM J BROWN, MARLON DAVIS DEERING, MICKEY D AND PHILLIPSON AND ANDY Club, Birmingham Dec, Wulfrun Hall, TAVARE, MARLON DAVIS PLUS COMIC TBC Sun 28 NATHAN CATON Wed 31 KIND Thurs 4 Dec, The JOHN FOTHERGILL, SOL Wolverhampton PLUS COMIC TBC Sat 27 Dec, The Glee Club, Dec, The Glee Club, George Hotel, Lichfield BERNSTEIN AND ANDY TIFF STEVENSON, STEVE Dec, The Glee Club, Birmingham Birmingham STAND UP COMEDY ROBINSON Wed 10 - Fri BUGEJA AND AHIR SHAH Birmingham DAVID JOHNS, JUSTIN KAREN BAYLEY, SMUG SHOWCASE Thurs 4 Dec, 12 Dec, The Glee Club, Thurs 18 - Fri 19 Dec, SHOULD I STAY OR MOORHOUSE, JONNY ROBERTS, DANA mac, Birmingham Birmingham Hereford Courtyard SHOULD I GO Sun 28 PELHAM, DAMION LARKIN ALEXANDER AND SEAN BENNETT ARRON, JIMMY OMID DJALILI Thurs 11 Theatre Dec, Drummonds Bar, Wed 31 Dec, Regent PERCIVAL Wed 31 Dec, MCGHIE, IAN COPPINGER Dec, Civic Hall, JOJO SUTHERLAND, ADDY Worcester Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent Jongleurs Comedy AND TANYALEE DAVIS Wolverhampton VAN DER BORGH, CARL PAUL THORNE, ANTHONY ANDY ROBINSON, ROB Club, Birmingham Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Dec PAUL SINHA, JOHN HUTCHINSON AND ANDY Jongleurs Comedy ROBINS AND SUZI ASKINS Thurs 18 Dec Club, Birmingham RUFFELL Thurs 11 Dec, Jongleurs Comedy JEFFERSON AND Bramall Music Building, Club, Birmingham WHITFIELD, SUSAN Birmingham ROY CHUBBY BROWN Fri MURRAY AND THANYIA ALEX BOARDMAN, SEAN 19 Dec, Civic Hall, MOORE Fri 5 Dec, The PERCIVAL, TANYALEE Wolverhampton Drum, Birmingham DAVIS AND DALISO DAN NIGHTINGALE, MARK STEVE BUGEJA, ERIC CHAPONDA Thurs 11 - OLVER, CHARLIE BAKER LAMPAERT AND KIERAN Sat 13 Dec, Jongleurs PLUS COMIC TBC Fri 19 - BOYD Fri 5 Dec, Comedy Club, B’ham Sat 20 Dec, The Glee Hereford Courtyard SEANN WALSH Fri 12 Club, Birmingham Theatre Dec, Evesham Arts JOJO SUTHERLAND, ADDY BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED Centre VAN DER BORGH, CARL LAGER WITH RORY JEREMY HARDY Fri 12 HUTCHINSON AND STEVE MAGRATH AND PHILIP Dec, Ludlow Assembly SHANYASKI Fri 19 - Sat POPE Fri 5 Dec, Malvern Rooms, South 20 Dec, Jongleurs Theatres Shropshire Comedy Club, B’ham ELEANOR TIERNAN PLUS JOHNNY CANDON, BARRY KEN DODD Sat 20 Dec, COMICS TBC Fri 5 Dec, DODDS, IAN COPPINGER Victoria Hall, Stoke-On- Players Bar, B’ham PLUS COMIC TBC Fri 12 Trent DAVE FULTON, GEOFF Dec, Players Bar, JIM TAVARE, GARY NORCOTT AND MARLON Birmingham DELANEY, MATT REES DAVIS Fri 5 Dec, The BARBARA NICE'S AND DAMION LARKIN Sat Glee Club, Birmingham CHRISTMAS CRACKER 20 Dec, Regent NOEL FIELDING Sat 6 Fri 12 - Sat 13 Dec Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent Dec, Victoria Hall, mac, Birmingham COMEDY IN THE MET Sat Stoke-On-Trent ED GAMBLE, HAYLEY 20 Dec, Stafford KATHERINE RYAN Sat 6 ELLIS AND JACK BARRY Gatehouse Theatre Dec, Warwick Arts Fri 12 - Sat 13 Dec, RUSSELL HOWARD Sun Centre, Coventry Hereford Courtyard 21 Dec, LG Arena, HOWARD READ, LLOYD Theatre Birmingham GRIFFITH, RHYS JAMES JIMMY CARR Sat 13 MARK OLVER, CHARLIE AND DAMION LARKIN Sat Dec, Civic Hall, BAKER, MARLON DAVIS 6 Dec, Regent Theatre, Wolverhampton PLUS COMIC TBC Sun 21 Stoke-On-Trent STAND-UP STAIRS Dec, The Glee Club, DAVE FULTON, GEOFF COMEDY SHOW WITH MC Birmingham NORCOTT, MARLON DAVIS MR ANT HILL Sat 13 THE LAUGHING SOLE - AND ANDREW BIRD Sat 6 Dec, Palace Theatre, COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS Dec, The Glee Club, Redditch Sun 21 Dec, mac, Birmingham RHODRI RHYS, DANNY Birmingham CHRIS LYNAM, ERICH WARD, PAUL PIRIE AND ZOE LYONS, THE MCILORY, DEBRA JANE JOHN HASTINGS Sat 13 RAYMOND AND MR APPELBY AND HARRIET Dec, Coventry TIMPKINS REVIEW, MARK DYER Sat 6 Dec, Showcase Cinema CRAM AND SUSAN Coventry Showcase JOHNNY CANDON, BARRY MURRAY Tues 23 Dec, Cinema DODDS, ELEANOR The George Hotel, LUCY BEAUMONT PLUS TIERNAN AND IAN Lichfield COMICS TBC Sat 6 Dec, COPPINGER Sat 13 Dec, ROY CHUBBY BROWN Sat Players Bar, B’ham Players Bar, B’ham 27 Dec, Victoria Hall, STAND UP COMEDY JOHN FOTHERGILL, SOL Stoke-On-Trent

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Lichfield Garrick’s panto ensemble

Lichfield Garrick, Thurs 4 December - Sun 4 January; Cinderella Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Sat 6 December Sun 18 January With its comical Ugly Sisters, metamorphosising pumpkin, match- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s version of the classic fairytale. making fairy godmother, drop-dead gorgeous Prince Charming, Meanwhile ’Allo, ’Allo’s Arthur Bostrom (he played French Gendarme super-cute mice and fits-one-foot-only glass slipper, Cinderella can Crabtree in the hit BBC TV comedy series) stars as Count Dandini de justifiably lay claim to being the most popular of all pantomimes. Tartare at the Lichfield Garrick. Julian Clary and Hollyoaks star Joe Tracini take top billing in the Peter Pan Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wed 3 December - Sun 11 January Shropshire-based pantomime audiences this year get the chance to fly away with the boy who would- n't grow up to a magical island filled with adventure. Meet a real fairy, marvellous mermaids, wonderful Wendy and the down-on-their-luck lost boys. Oh, and beware the ever-so-wicked Captain Hook and a very hungry crocodile who goes tick-tock (he swal- lowed a clock). Pantomime favourite Brad Fitt ensures there’s plenty of chance to enjoy a chuckle or several.

Dick Whittington Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, until Sun 4 January ‘Son of the Potteries’ Jonathan Wilkes dons the tights to star as the lad himself in this ever-popular pantomime tale. Homecoming hero Jonathan’s pretty much a festive fix- ture at the Regent Theatre nowadays, and is set to play an inevitably significant part in making Dick Whittington one of the region’s must-see pantos this Christmas. The story of a young man who heads to London in search of fame and fortune is one of the most popular of all pantomimes, not least because of the top adventures in which the happy-go-lucky Dick finds himself involved. With Sarah the Cook and King Rat both putting in an appearance, and heady romance with the delightful Alice also on the cards for young Dick, this is a show that promises to be packed to its festive rafters with action, comedy, fun and romance. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 29 Theatre Region 2 - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:14 Page 3 Theatre Region 2 - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:14 Page 4

Theatre PREVIEWS Sleeping Beauty Prince Of Wales Centre, Cannock, Sun 21 - Tues 30 December The tragic tale of a young princess who’s tricked by an evil fairy and pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, causing her to fall asleep for a hundred years, offers a great story around which to build a pantomime production of real quality. And judging by its panto offerings in previous years, the Prince of Wales Centre’s 2014 festive presentation is likely to be just that. Shorelle Hepkin from CBBC’s Wolfblood, Darren John Langford from Hollyoaks, Keith De Winter and Nikki Horsburgh star.

Jersey Boys New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Tues 9 December - Sun 4 January Rockin’ and rollin’ New Jersey boys Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons scored some truly massive hits during the mid-1960s, with best-known numbers including Walk Like A Man, Bye Bye Baby, Big Girls Don't Cry, Sherry and December 1963 (Oh, What A Night). This massive jukebox musical tells their story. Taking a documentary-style format, the show is structured as Uncle Ben’s Festive four ‘seasons’, each being narrated by a different member of the band. Block Party The Tony, Olivier and Grammy award-winning production is visiting the Midlands as part of its The Drum, Birmingham, first ever UK tour. Thurs 18 - Sun 21 December Described as an evening of merriment and adventure to the big bad city. festive celebration, Uncle Ben’s Festive Block Beauty And The Beast Expect gangster moles, singing fish, biker Party finds the eponymous lead character in The Place, Oakengates Theatre, Telford, beetles and crooning birds in a production Tues 9 December - Mon 5 January the mood to enjoy a cracking Christmas that features puppetry, clowning, live music caper. With the local sound system booked When a young woman is captured by a and even a sprinkling of snow... to supply the music, obligatory party hats, hideous beast, she finds herself facing a life crackers, mistletoe and decorative lights all of isolation in his mysterious palace. The purchased (and a few bottles of rum on hand Beast, too, is trapped - seemingly forever - Looking Good - Feeling Better inside the grotesquery of his physical to ensure that even his least humorous jokes Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, go down a storm), Uncle Ben’s set to leave a appearance, the consequence of a spell cast Tues 9 December tragic year battling ill health behind him. upon him by an evil witch. Only Beauty’s ability to look beyond his ugliness and see The company behind this story, which has Until, that is, an enlightening dream finds him been inspired by the real-life experience of a suddenly facing a significantly bigger chal- the person within can save him... That’s pretty much the story outline of this breast cancer sufferer, is OutsidEye, who lenge than simply throwing a festive get- describe themselves as having been ‘born together... ever-popular fairytale, which is here given the pantomime treatment by a high-energy from a passion for physical theatre’. Using a ensemble of talented performers. collaborative studio approach, the ensemble One-time Eurovision entrant Nikki French seeks to create theatre which is inspired by and Dancing On Ice favourite Matt Evers star. the unconventional within the everyday, in the process ‘transforming what’s seen into innovative performance’.

A Christmas Carol Birmingham Town Hall, Sun 21 December For anybody tired of the commercialism of Christmas in the twenty-first century, delving Thumbelina’s Great into the delightful world of Charles Dickens should offer the perfect antidote. Big Adventure Of all his festive stories, A Christmas Carol mac, Birmingham, Mon 1 - Sat 13 December reigns supreme. The covetous sinning of the Award-winning physical theatre company miserly Scrooge, the ghostly visions of Dancing Brick are the high-energy ensemble redemption and the eternal hope offered by behind this brand new retelling of Hans Tiny Tim all combine to give the tale a real Christian Andersen’s classic tale. olde-world charm. The company describe the show as ‘a bright- Clive Francis stars as Scrooge, and also ly-coloured, action-packed musical’, in which offers an introduction to Dickens’ exploits in the vertically challenged Thumbelina, her Birmingham, which included an 1853 Town daredevil Granny and a forest’s-worth of Hall reading of A Christmas Carol. delightful animals embark on a whirlwind

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Tue 9th Dec 14 - Mon 5th Jan 15 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST PANTOMIME MAGIC FOR ALL THE FAMILY Time: Various

Sat 24th January THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Time: 7.30pm

Thu 5th February THAT’LL BE THE DAY Time: 7.30pm

Fri 6th Feruary ALL STAR SUPERSLAM WRESTLING Time: 7.30pm

Fri 13th February THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW Time: 7.30pm

Thu 19th February THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS THE NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIE Time: 7.30pm

Sun 1st & Mon 2nd March THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE Time: Sun, 2.00pm, 4.30pm Mon, 10.30am, 12.30pm

Fri 13th March LLOYD LANGFORD Time: 8.00pm

Sat 21st March AABA BY ARRIVAL UK THE ULTIMATE ABBA TRIBUTE SHOW Time: 7.30pm

TWC GP 00940

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Theatre PREVIEWS Horrible Christmas Old Rep, Birmingham, until Sat 17 January The Horrible Histories team are back, this time to stab a sprig of holly through the heart of the yuletide season! Famous festive favourites Charles Dickens, St Nicholas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - as well as Oliver Cromwell and King Henry VIII - are all present and correct in a good-humoured show that brings together Victorian villains, Medieval monks, Puritan parties and Tudor treats. Read the review on page 42.

Jack And The Beanstalk Birmingham Hippodrome, Fri 19 December - Sun 1 February Jack and his mam are hard-up, and have no choice but to take their cow to market to raise some much-needed cash. However, Jack being Jack, he decides to trade her in (the cow, that is, not his mam!) for a handful of magic beans, which then grow into a real ogre of a beanstalk. And speaking of ogres... The Tiger Who Came To Tea Jack And The Beanstalk is one of the UK’s best-loved pantos - so it’s appropriate indeed that Birmingham Town Hall, it’s the show of choice at the world’s number one pantomime venue, the Birmingham Hippo- Tues 23 December - Wed 14 January drome. As well as featuring a big, bad, fee-fi-fo-fumming ogre, the production also boasts a star cast headed up by Jane McDonald, Blue’s Duncan James and Coronation Street badboy Following on from a hugely successful West Chris Gascoyne. Gary Wilmot makes a welcome return as Dame Trot, with Paul Zerdin and End season, the tea-guzzling tiger is back in Matt Slack also on hand to play their part in ensuring the laughter count’s as high as a really town, dropping in on Sophie and her mum tall beanstalk. just as they’re settling down for an afternoon cuppa... Adapted by David Wood OBE from Judith Kerr’s 1968 book, this fifty-five-minute he teaches her whizzpopping, shows her his show features singalong songs and boasts Cinderella: secret collection of dreams and lets her taste plenty of magic - not to mention a big, The Rock’n’Roll Panto his extraordinary stripey tiger, of course! food, the snozzcum- Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Fri 12 December - Sat 10 January ber. When it becomes apparent a They’ve done it before and now they’re tribe of boghumping doing it again. Yep, Stafford Gatehouse’s oft- giants are planning used twist of imbuing their annual pan- to rampage through tomime with a real rock’n’roll flavour has England, Sophie and proved so popular in previous years that the the BFG realise they venue is giving the exact same treatment to must save the coun- its 2014 production. So... they’ve taken a try from unprece- fairytale about a put-upon girl who finally dented disaster... finds her Prince Charming, stirred in a few time-honoured pantomime favourites and then seasoned liberally with all manner of rock’n’roll hits - including favourites from Otis Wind In The Willows Redding, The Temptations, The Jackson 5 Ludlow Assembly Rooms, South Shropshire, The Borrowers and The Blues Brothers. Tues 2 December; The Place, Oakengates, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, A recipe for success if ever there was one - Telford, Sat 24 January until Sat 31 January so expect a veritable feast of fun and frivolity. Kenneth Grahame’s famous children’s book After enjoying success with previous festive presents a perfect example of how one life offerings such as The Hundred And One Dal- can command the full attention of three oth- matians, Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan, ers. Mole, Badger and Ratty simply don’t the New Vic turns its attention to Mary Nor- have time for any of their own interests - ton’s delightful 1952 children’s fantasy. they’re way too busy having to look after Living happily beneath the floorboards of a their reckless and irrepressible friend, Toad... quiet old house, The Borrowers suddenly The Wind In The Willows is here brought to find their way of life compromised when the stage by acclaimed touring troupe Odd- young Arrietty gets itchy feet and goes socks. Zany humour is guaranteed. exploring... The New Vic team is here promising a yule- tide package of ‘magical storytelling, original music and thrilling live-on-stage effects’. So if you’re looking for a Christmas The BFG show free of cus- The REP, Birmingham, until Sat 17 January tard pies and Roald Dahl’s delightful tale has been rouged-up enchanting children and the adults in their Dames, this lives for over thirty years now. The story fol- could well be the lows the adventures of a little girl named production for Sophie, who’s taken to a magical land by the you. Big Friendly Giant (or BFG for short). There, www.whatsonlive.co.uk 33 Theatre Region 2 - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:14 Page 7

NOT ABOUT HEROES THE MET STUDIO Sat 6 Dec Through the letters and poems of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon, Stephen MacDonald’s acclaimed play paints a vivid and moving picture of their friendship and the conflict that brought them together. One hundred years on 7.30pm, £13 from the beginning of the First World War, Not About Heroes is both exhilarating and uncom- promising in its exploration of love, war and a friendship that changed the face of British poetry. CINDERELLA THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO GATEHOUSE THEATRE Wed 10 Dec 14 - Sat 10 Jan 15

Tickets from £12.50

Rock around the clock and get ready to party at Prince Charm- ing's ball with Baron Hardup, the loveable Buttons, Cinderella, and two very ugly sisters...Rock ‘n' Roll panto returns to Stafford with one of the most loved fairytales of all time. Cinderella is filled with classic hits from Otis Redding, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, The Blues Brothers and many, many more, all played live on stage by an incredible cast of actor musicians. INTO THE SHADOWS THE MET STUDIO Sat 13 Dec Into the Shadows recreate the unique sounds of The Shadows. The Shadows had 5 number one hits and 16 top ten hits, and were in the UK Charts for 310 weeks. 7.30pm, £13 No other Instrumental Group has ever achieved such success. Into the Shadows play all their hits, and more. Also performing many of the early Cliff Richard hits from the days when The Shadows were his backing Group. GHOST STORIES FOR CHRISTMAS THE MET STUDIO Tue 16 Dec Join the macabre tradition of the BBC's classic 1970s pro- gramme, Ghost Stories for Christmas is a theatre show fea- turing new adaptations of clas- sic spine-chillers. An evening of vengeful revenants, restless spirits and malevolent ghouls is guaranteed for those brave 7.30pm, £10/£8 concs enough to join us! THE UGLY DUCKLING THE MET STUDIO Tue 22 & Wed 23 Dec Float downstream with the Story Man, in Sea Legs Puppet The- atre’s gentle, musical adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s classic tale of belonging and identity. Set on the banks of a magical river, brilliant story- telling, fantastic puppets and a delightful new musical score, Tue 22nd 1.30pm & 3.30pm make this a must see show for Wed 23rd 11.30am & 1.30pm little ones and their families. £7 / Family £24

TRÈS TRÈS CABARET CHRISTMAS SPECIAL THE MET STUDIO

Sat 27 Dec OVER 18 After the runaway success of Stafford’s first burlesque and cabaret night, Très Très Cabaret is back with a very special show for the festive season, 8.00pm, £20 Featuring the hottest performers from the international cabaret scene to surprise and delight you... Dress to impress and join us for an evening of glitz, glamour and so much more.

BOOKONLINE Box Office 01785 619080 www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

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recreating some of the finest moments of Eric Theatre LISTINGS & Ernie's television and stage performances, For full listing information on theatre Tue 2 Dec, Malvern productions, including times and dates, Theatres visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Presented by Blast From The Past, Wed 3 Stratford-upon-Avon Dec, The Red Lion Folk From LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON Club, Birmingham MON 1 DEC Christopher Luscombe TAT MAN TALES Black directs the second of Country Touring pres- Shakespeare's match- ent an intense, emo- FRANKENSTEIN Return of ing pair of comedies tional, one-man produc- the National Theatre that rejoice in man's tion featuring stories Live's broadcast of capacity to find love in that promise to stay Frankenstein, featuring the most of unlikely with audiences long Benedict Cumberbatch places, until Sat 14 after the show is over, as the creature, until March, Royal Shake- Wed 3 Dec, Arena The- Sun 7 Dec, mac, Birm- speare Theatre, Strat- atre, Wolverhampton ingham ford-upon-Avon DEM BOYZ Exploration of WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR BLOOD BROTHERS Ama- the issues of gang HUNT Little Angel The- teur version presented association, devised atre bring Michael by Stage Productions, and performed by year Rosen's much-loved Mon 1 - Fri 5 Dec, Two BA (Hons) applied children's book to life in Stoke Repertory The- performance students a new puppetry pro- atre from Birmingham duction featuring music CALAMITY JANE The School of Acting, Wed and lyrics by renowned Watermill Theatre pres- 3 - Fri 5 Dec, The singer-songwriter Barb ent a new production of Drum, Birmingham Jungr, until Sun 7 Dec, the classic musical. DAYS OF SIGNIFICANCE mac, Birmingham Jodie Prenger stars..., Birmingham School of THE NUTCRACKER Birm- BRB’s The Nutcracker - Birmingham Hippodrome Mon 1 - Sat 6 Dec, Acting present Roy ingham Royal Ballet Malvern Theatres Williams' explosive play screening of Arthur Conducted by Jeff Del Sol; Adam Ruther- present Sir Peter A CHORUS OF DISAP- that explores the after- Miller’s classic Ameri- Wayne & featuring Liam ford's What Sexuality Is Wright’s enchanting PROVAL The Nonentities math of war, Wed 3 - can drama based on Neeson in 3D hologra- Love?, Sat 6 Dec, The version of the festive present Alan Ayck- Sat 6 Dec, Crescent Salem’s infamous witch phy, Jason Donovan, Drum, Birmingham favourite, until Sat 13 bourn’s hilarious view Theatre, Birmingham trials. Richard Armitage Westlife’s Brian McFad- BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Dec, Birmingham Hip- of amateur theatre, Mon RETURN TO NEVERLAND stars, Thurs 4 Dec, The den, Shayne Ward, Les PMA Productions pres- podrome 1 - Sat 6 Dec, Rose Presented by Cannock Edge Arts Centre, Much Miserables’ Carrie ent their version of the BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Theatre, Kidderminster Wood & Gentleshaw Wenlock, South Shrop- Hope Fletcher & X Fac- greatest love story ever Traditional family pan- THUMBELINA'S GREAT BIG Musical Society, Wed 3 shire tor 2013’s Joseph Whe- told, Sat 6 Dec, Festival tomime, until Sat 3 Jan, ADVENTURE Puppetry, - Sat 6 Dec, Prince of HOKE'S BLUFF Action lan, Fri 5 Dec, LG Drayton, Market Dray- The Roses Theatre, clowning, live music Wales Centre, Cannock Hero present an under- Arena, Birmingham ton, North Shropshire Tewkesbury and a sprinkling of HORRIBLE HISTORIES: dog story that shifts MORE GRIMM TALES CHRISTMAS ON BROAD- DICK WHITTINGTON Tra- snow are all promised BARMY BRITAIN Birming- and rearranges the trite Stage 27 present ‘dark WAY Join a talented ditional family pan- in this brand new, ham Stage Company conventions and narra- festive fun’ via comic cast of singers as they tomime, until Sun 4 brightly coloured, bring historical figures tives of American teen fables from the Broth- perform some of the Jan, Regent Theatre, action-packed, musical to life in a new show movies to talk about ers Grimm, Fri 5 - Sat 6 best Christmas songs Stoke-on-Trent retelling of Hans Chris- featuring 3D Bogglevi- what it means to be a Dec, Acocks Green from the world of musi- THE GRUFFALO Songs, tian Andersen’s classic sion, Wed 3 - Sat 6 winner on the inside, Methodist Church, cal theatre and beyond, laughter and scary fun tale, Mon 1 - Sat 13 Dec, Theatre Hafren, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 Dec, Shirley Rd, Birmingham Sat 6 Dec, The Blue come together in this Dec, mac, Birmingham Newtown, Powys Warwick Arts Centre, SANTA'S DIZZY DAY! Fun- Orange Theatre, Birm- family favourite based UNCLE ERIC'S CHRISTMAS DONA ROSITA THE SPIN- Coventry packed experience for ingham on Julia Donaldson's PARTY New Vic legend STER Birmingham THE LASTING SENSE OF children with song & NOT ABOUT HEROES Feel- best-selling book, until Uncle Eric returns with School of Acting pres- SUDDEN A rollercoaster laughter, Fri 5 - Sat 6 good Theatre present a Sun 4 Jan, Warwick a fun night of Christmas ent one of Lorca’s ride across the diverse Dec, Belgrade Theatre, production based on Arts Centre, Coventry comedy and ’60s greatest achievements, landscape of human Coventry the true story of friend- ALADDIN By Iain Lauch- music, Mon 1 - Sat 13 a play which charts the sexuality and relation- THE VICAR OF DIBLEY - ship between war poets lan, until Sat 10 Janu- Dec, New Vic Theatre, decline of a young girl ships, Thurs 4 - Sat 6 THE SECOND COMING Siegfried Sassoon and ary, Belgrade Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme full of dreams whose Dec, Fred’s Shed, Amateur stage version Wilfred Owen, Sat 6 Coventry BEAUTY AND THE BEAST hopes of marriage Sheep Street, Stratford- of the popular BBC sit- Dec, Stafford Gate- HORRIBLE CHRISTMAS A ‘magical festive pan- diminish with every upon-Avon com, Fri 5 - Sat 13 Dec, house Theatre The Horrible Histories tomime’ presented by passing year, Wed 3 - CINDERELLA Traditional The Bear Pit, Stratford- BEAUTY & THE BEAST team are back, this time the Worcester Reperto- Sat 6 Dec, Old Joint family pantomime... upon-Avon Ballet Cymru present a to stab a sprig of holly ry Company, Mon 1 Stock Theatre, Birming- Thurs 4 Dec - Sun 4 CHRISTMAS ON BROAD- choreographed version through the heart of the Dec - Sun 4 Jan, The ham Jan, Lichfield Garrick WAY Featuring a pletho- of the much-loved fairy- yuletide season!, until Swan Theatre Worces- PETER PAN OR THE BOY ALL TURN! Brass Tack ra of Christmas musical tale, Sat 6 Dec, Stour- Sat 17 Jan, The Old ter WHO WOULDN’T GROW Theatre present a one- favourites, including bridge Town Hall Rep Theatre, Birming- WEST END WOMEN West UP Presented by the man show which tells White Christmas, A BEYOND THE BARRICADE ham End leading ladies Solihull Society of Art & the story of working- Winter’s Tale & The Per- Musical theatre concert THE BFG A brand new Kerry Ellis, Joanna Drama, Wed 3 - Sat 6 class man Albert North, fect Year, Sat 6 Dec, recreating original West staging of Roald Dahl's Ampil & Ria Jones join Dec, The Edge, Alder- Fri 5 Dec, Arena The- The Blue Orange The- End & Broadway musi- popular children's forces for a celebration brook School, Solihull atre, Wolverhampton atre, Birmingham cal hit songs, Sat 6 book, until Sat 24 Jan, of their careers in the ALADDIN Wed 3 - Sun BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED AN AUDIENCE WITH DES Dec, Malvern Theatre The REP, Birmingham musicals. Songs from 28 Dec, Bedworth Civic LAGER After their hit O'CONNOR Sat 6 Dec, PAUL HOLLYWOOD: THE BORROWERS Mary Miss Saigon, Les Miser- Hall dad-rock album, Dark Evesham Arts Centre BRITISH BAKING LIVE A Norton's classic family ables, Cats, Evita, PETER PAN Paul Hendy Side Of The Moob, AN EVENING WITH NOEL packed show full of adventure, until Sat 31 Jesus Christ Superstar Productions and Brad Rory and Philip return FIELDING Expect a mag- baking, fun, demos & Jan, New Vic Theatre, and Wicked all feature, Fitt return to Theatre to touring with an ical mix of Noel's audience participation, Newcastle-under-Lyme Tue 2 Dec, New Alexan- Severn with another evening of sophisticat- unique brand of stand- Sat 6 Dec, Warwick Arts THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE A dra Theatre, Birming- fun-filled family pan- ed comedy and song, up comedy, live anima- Centre, Coventry specially commissioned ham tomime, Wed 3 Dec - Fri 5 Dec, Malvern The- tion and music, plus A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL A play by Phil Porter THE WIND IN THE WIL- Sun 11 Jan, Theatre atres some of his best-known festive feast of carol which draws on true LOWS Live music and Severn, Shrewsbury IMPRO HO HO! An impro- TV characters (such as music and song, come- stories of soldiers in the comedy from Odd- AN EVENING WITH NOEL vised Christmas cracker The Moon and Fantasy dy and spoken word, Warwickshire Regiment, socks as they present FIELDING Expect a mag- featuring mistletoads Man)…, Sat 6 Dec, Vic- Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, until Sat 31 Jan, Royal their version of the clas- ical mix of Noel's and folly, Fri 5 Dec, The toria Hall, Stoke-on- Coughton Court, War- Shakespeare Theatre, sic tale of boats, cars, unique brand of stand- Blue Orange Theatre, Trent wickshire Stratford-upon-Avon trains and washer- up comedy, live anima- Birmingham NORMS OF CONDUCT THE LADYKILLERS Gra- LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST women... Tue 2 Dec, tion and music, plus STAND UP AND ROCK Triple bill of works ham Lineham’s staging Christopher Luscombe Ludlow Assembly some of his best-known WITH JASPER CARROTT which focus on the dis- of the classic Ealing directs a new produc- Rooms, South Shrop- TV characters (such as Fri 5 Dec, Stratford tinguishing characteris- comedy, Sat 6 - Sun 14 tion of Shakespeare's shire The Moon and Fantasy Artshouse, Stratford- tics of human nature: Dec, Criterion Theatre, sparkling comedy, until ERIC AND LITTLE ERN A Man)…, Thurs 4 Dec, upon-Avon Rosie Kay's Dance Of Coventry Sat 14 March, Royal homage to the great Crewe Lyceum WAR OF THE WORLDS: Possession; Carlos THE WITCHES The Cres- Shakespeare Theatre, British comedy duo, THE CRUCIBLE Live THE FINAL ARENA TOUR Pons Guerra's Costa cent Theatre Company

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one-man show which tells the story of Jesus Theatre LISTINGS through the eyes of Joseph, Wed 10 Dec, For full listing information on theatre The Attic Theatre, Strat- productions, including times and dates, ford-upon-Avon visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk A NUTCRACKER CHRIST- MAS HOW College stu- dents present a tale of present David Wood's ferer. Inspired by real- magic & discovery, adaptation of Roald life experiences, Tue 9 Wed 10 - Fri 12 Dec, Dahl's children's tale, Dec, Arena Theatre, Artrix, Bromsgrove Sat 6 - Sat 20 Dec, Wolverhampton THE WIZARD OF OZ Pre- Crescent Theatre, Birm- CINDERELLA Anne sented by Stratford ingham Charleston stars as the Musical Theatre Com- MOTHER GOOSE Sat 6 - Fairy Godmother in the pany, Wed 10 - Sat 13 Sat 20 Dec, Sutton Arts classic festive fairytale. Dec, The Courtyard, Theatre, Sutton Cold- Rebecca Tyson (Cin- Stratford-upon-Avon field derella), Scott Cripps OUR LIFE ON ICE In con- OH NO IT ISN'T! A festive (Buttons) and Richard versation with leg- comedy thriller written Pocock & Derreck endary skating duo and directed by Nick Walker (Ugly Sisters) Jayne Torvill & Christo- Walker, Sat 6 - Sat 27 also star... Mon 8 Dec - pher Dean, Thurs 11 Dec, Belgrade Theatre, Sun 4 Jan, Palace The- Dec, Town Hall, Birm- Coventry atre, Redditch ingham CINDERELLA Starring JP CANNOCK CHASE HIGH JUST ANOTHER WINTER'S McCue & Mike Royce SCHOOL CHRISTMAS TALE Jean Brown Pro- Hoke’s Bluff - Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry as the Ugly Sisters, Sat CONCERT Join students ductions present an 6 Dec - Sat 3 Jan, from Cannock Chase evening of 'harmony with Baron Hardup, the BEANSTALK A ‘not-to-be shire Royal Spa Centre, High School for a fes- singing with a touch of loveable Buttons, Cin- missed production’ AN AUDIENCE WITH Leamington Spa tive celebration. A Christmas', Thurs 11 derella - and two very packed full of sparkling ALBERT ROUX Tue 16 CINDERELLA Qdos return blend of musical, dra- Dec, Prince Of Wales ugly sisters... Fri 12 costumes, spectacular Dec, Malvern Theatres to the Wolverhampton matic and dance per- Centre, Cannock Dec - Sat 10 Jan, sets, supersized come- GHOST STORIES FOR Grand with yet another formances showcase ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, Stafford Gatehouse dy and some very mag- CHRISTMAS In the popular family pan- the very best individual PUNKS AND RAGING Theatre ical beans! Sat 13 Dec - macabre tradition of tomime. This year's and group talents at the QUEENS A dramatic and CINDERELLA Encore Sun 4 Jan, Crewe the BBC's classic adventure sees Julian school, Tues 9 Dec, emotive musical theatre Academy bring a twist Lyceum 1970s programme, Clary star as Dandini. Prince Of Wales Centre, piece featuring free to a classic festive A CHRISTMAS CRACKER Ghost Stories For Hollyoaks star Joe Cannock verse poems and panto, Sat 13 Dec, Presented by Elite Christmas, this theatre Tracini takes the role of LA TRAVIATA Glynde- songs which reflect the Dovehouse Theatre, Dance Academy, Sun show features new Buttons, Sat 6 Dec - bourne present a new lives of people who’ve Solihull 14 Dec, Albany The- adaptations of classic Sun 18 Jan. Wolver- version of Verdi's mas- lived with and died from CELTIC FEET THE SHOW atre, Coventry spinechillers, Tue 16 hampton Grand The- terpiece - one of the AIDS, Thurs 11 - Fri 12 Dance show presented MY DEAREST GIRLS: THE Dec, Stafford Gate- atre most popular operas of Dec, Arena Theatre, by the Celtic Feet Irish LETTER BOOK A full- house Theatre THE PEOPLE'S ORCHES- all time, Tue 9 - Wed 10 Wolverhampton Dance & Theatre Com- length theatre piece JOHN CLEESE: SO, ANY- TRA: THE SNOWMAN Dec, Regent Theatre, ROBIN HOOD AND BABES pany, Sat 13 Dec, based on the real let- WAY BOOK TOUR Bring- Classic Christmas Stoke-on-Trent IN THE WOOD Thurs 11 - Albany Theatre, Coven- ters sent between a ing a unique comedy songs and stories fol- ALADDIN Presented by Sun 21 Dec, Forest Arts try group of six Shropshire perspective to audi- lowed by The People’s Rugeley Rose Theatre, Centre, Walsall A CHRISTMAS CAROL women between 1917- ences with tales from Orchestra playing the in association with ALADDIN Robert Powell Booster Cushion The- 1920 Sun 14 Dec, Wem his new book, Tues 16 original orchestration to Reveal Theatre Compa- stars as Abanazar, atre Company’s version Town Hall, South Dec, Warwick Arts Cen- a live screening of the ny, Tues 9 - Sat 13 Dec, Thurs 11 Dec - Sun 4 of the festive Dicken- Shropshire tre, Coventry classic film, Sun 7 Dec, Rugeley Rose Theatre, Jan, Malvern Theatres sian tale, told using ONCE IN A BLUE MOON GOING FOR A NUMBER Malvern Theatres Staffordshire Aladdin mime, voice, some sign Wriggle Dance Theatre ONE AT CHRISTMAS Ama- BASHMENT HOUSEWIVES THE TWELVE DATES OF THE SHOEMAKER'S HOLI- language, a 60cm-tall present a fusion of teur Transplants front An urban comedy high- CHRISTMAS Gina DAY Following his pop-up book and lots dance, live music and man Adam Kay pres- lighting the lifestyles of Hoben's off-Broadway acclaimed RSC debut of audience participa- audience interactivity ents his festive antidote four competitive young play, Tue 9 - Sat 13 with The Merry Wives tion, Sat 13 Dec, for three-to-six-year- to the pantomime hor- women wanting to live Dec, Old Joint Stock Of Windsor (2012), Library of Birmingham olds, Sun 14 Dec, rors on every other a life of luxury, Sun 7 Theatre, Birmingham Phillip Breen returns to FATHER CHRISTMAS Arena Theatre, Wolver- London stage, Tues 16 Dec, The Drum, Birm- UNDER THE STARS Lan- direct Dekker's glorious NEEDS A WEE! Tale Gate hampton Dec, mac, Birmingham ingham guage Alive present a city comedy of class, Theatre present a THE CRUCIBLE Live THE SNOWMAN Family- LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD celebration of the rich conflict and cobblers in ‘bouncy’ musical adap- screening of Arthur friendly concert featur- Presented by Working world of Arabic story- love, Thurs 11 Dec - tation of Nicholas Miller’s classic Ameri- ing Raymond Briggs’ Theatre Company, Sun telling, including Sin- Sat 7 Mar, The Swan Allan’s much-loved can drama based on much-loved festive film 7 Dec, Newhampton bad The Sailor and Ali Theatre, Stratford book, Sat 13 Dec, The- Salem’s infamous witch accompanied by a live, Arts Centre, Wolver- Baba And The Forty THE ELVES AND THE atre Hafren, Newtown, trials. Richard Armitage twenty-five-piece hampton Thieves, Tue 9 - Sat 20 SHOEMAKER A magical Powys stars, Sun 14 - Mon 15 orchestra, Tues 16 Dec, THE CRUCIBLE Live Dec, The REP, Birming- new show for children GILBERT & SULLIVAN Dec, Warwick Arts Cen- Victoria Hall, Stoke-on- screening of Arthur ham from Silly Boys, the cre- GALA Presented by tre, Coventry Trent Miller’s classic Ameri- JERSEY BOYS The Tony, ators of The Tallest Bromsgrove Operatic A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL PWS MEWN BWTS Welsh can drama based on Olivier and Grammy Horse On Earth, Fri 12 Society, Sat 13 Dec, Evening of festive fun, version of the famous Salem’s infamous witch Award-winning musical Dec, Ludlow Assembly Artrix, Bromsgrove Christmas comedy & Puss In Boots adven- trials. Richard Armitage hits the road for its first Rooms, South Shrop- THE STORY GARDEN seasonal song, Sun 14 ture, Tues 16 Dec, The- stars, Sun 7 Dec, The UK tour, Tue 9 Dec - shire Active storytelling ses- - Tues 16 Dec, Crescent atre Haffren, Newtown, Edge Arts Centre, Much Sun 4 Jan, New Alexan- SWAN LAKE Ballet The- sions where children Theatre, Birmingham Powys Wenlock, South Shrop- dra Theatre, Birming- atre UK present a aged four to eight and THE HAUNTING Psycho- shire ham retelling of the world- their parents/carers can Week Commencing logical horror present- SIMONE SCHOOL OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST famous ballet, Fri 12 get involved in telling ed by Stoke-On-Trent DANCE Sun 7 Dec, Chaos, calamities & Dec, Prince Of Wales Shakespeare's stories MON 15 DEC Repertory Players, Tues Artrix, Bromsgrove comedy in the French Centre, Cannock in a fun and lively way, 16 - Sat 20 Dec, Stoke village of Cristimonto, SLEEPING BEAUTY Tradi- Sat 13 Dec, Royal Repertory Theatre, Week Commencing Tue 9 Dec - Mon 5 Jan, tional family pan- Shakespeare Theatre, ALADDIN Annual family Stoke-on-Trent MON 8 DEC The Place, Oakengates tomime, Fri 12 - Sat 20 Stratford-upon-Avon pantomime presented RUMPELSTILTSKIN Theatre, Telford, Shrop- Dec, Hall Green Little SWAN LAKE Ballet The- by Reveal Theatre Ltd Northumberland The- shire Theatre, Acocks Green, atre UK present a Mon 15 - Tue 16 Dec, atre Company present A CHRISTMAS WASSAIL JOHN CLEESE: 'SO, ANY- Birmingham retelling of the world- Rugeley Rose Theatre an adaptation of the Evening of festive fun, WAY' BOOK TOUR John CINDERELLA Traditional famous ballet, Sat 13 - ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN classic fairytale, Tue 16 Christmas comedy & brings his unique family pantomime writ- Sun 14 Dec, Bridge WONDERLAND Live - Sun 21 Dec, Stratford seasonal song, Mon 8 comedic perspective to ten by & starring Mal- House Theatre, War- screening from the Artshouse & Tues 9 Dec, Highbury audiences across the colm Stent, Fri 12 Dec - wick Royal Opera House of JACK AND THE Hall, Birmingham UK with tales from his Sun 4 Jan, Solihull Arts THE WIND IN THE WIL- Christopher Wheeldon's BEANSTALK Presented LOOKING GOOD - FEELING new book, So, Anyway. Complex LOWS Presented by ballet in three acts, by Tread The Boards BETTER OutsidEye pres- Wed 10 Dec, Malvern CINDERELLA THE ROCK 'N' Blue Orange Arts, Sat based on Lewis Car- Theatre Company, ent a passionate story Theatres ROLL PANTO Rock 13 Dec - Sat 3 Jan, The roll's much-loved chil- Tues 16 - Sun 28 Dec, about the social and JESUS MY BOY Worces- around the clock and Blue Orange Theatre, dren's classic, Tue 16 Attic Theatre, Stratford- personal traumas faced ter Repertory Theatre get ready to party at Birmingham Dec, Ludlow Assembly upon-Avon by a breast cancer suf- Company present a Prince Charming's ball JACK AND THE Rooms, South Shrop- A CHRISTMAS SHOW-

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 37 Theatre - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:09 Page 11

38 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:09 Page 12

Theatre, Warwick VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET Theatre LISTINGS - SNOW WHITE Fri 19 - Sat 20 Dec, Evesham For full listing information on theatre Arts Centre productions, including times and dates, ONCE UPON A CHRIST- visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk MAS Described as a Christmas show for all ages & tastes, Fri 19 - CASE Three local the- Sat 20 Dec, Crescent Sat 20 Dec, Albany atre groups - WOW, Theatre, Birmingham Theatre, Coventry No-Nonsense and The ALADDIN All & Sundry JACK AND THE Discoverers - present a serve up a festive fami- BEANSTALK Fri 19 Dec- festive showcase of ly treat, Wed 17 - Sun Sun 1 Feb, Birming- dance, drama, music & 21 Dec, Artrix, Broms- ham Hippodrome comedy, Wed 17 Dec, grove TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE Arena Theatre, Wolver- MOTHER GOOSE Wed 17 CHRISTMAS Distraction hampton Dec - Sun 4 Jan, Priory Theatre Company GHOST STORIES FOR Theatre, Kenilworth, present a heartwarm- CHRISTMAS Don’t Go Warwickshire ing tale based on the Into The Cellar theatre PETER PAN Playbox story of Saint Nicholas company present new Christmas show featur- and his kind offerings, adaptations of classic ing 'swashbuckling Sat 20 Dec, Bridge spinechillers, Wed 17 - sword fights, music, House Theatre, War- Thurs 18 Dec, The Old dancing, wonderful wick Joint Stock Theatre, characters & plenty of EMBRACED BURLESQUE Birmingham fairy dust', Thurs 18 Sat 20 Dec, Newhamp- ROBIN PUD William Dec - Sun 4 Jan, The ton Arts Centre, Brooks’ School Sixth Dream Factory, War- Wolverhampton Form present a brand wick KEN DODD Sat 20 Dec, new version of the UNCLE BEN'S FESTIVE Victoria Hall, Hanley, Robin Hood legend, BLOCK PARTY Join Stoke-on-Trent Rumpelstiltskin - Stratford Artshouse Wed 17 - Thurs 18 Uncle Ben, his friends ALI BABA AND THE FORTY Dec, The Edge Arts and some very special THIEVES Sat 20 Dec - Centre, Much Wenlock, guests for an evening Dec, Birmingham Town THE TWELVE DAYS OF Sat 3 Jan, Talisman Week Commencing South Shropshire of merriment and fes- Theatre, Coventry Hall CHRISTMAS The Peo- TWELFTH NIGHT OR tive celebrations, Thurs A CHRISTMAS CAROL THE CHRISTMAS BALLET MON 22 DEC ple's Theatre Company WHAT YOU WILL Birm- 18 - Sun 21 Dec, The Clive Francis brings Presented by the Amy present a festive family ingham-based youth Drum, Birmingham Charles Dickens’ most Greaves School of THE UGLY DUCKLING Sea production based on theatre Drama-Link THE TWELVE DAYS OF famous characters to Dance, Sun 21 Dec, Legs Puppet Theatre’s the ever-popular Christ- present ‘a hilarious CHRISTMAS Distraction life. The first half of the Dovehouse Theatre, gentle musical adapta- mas carol, Mon 22 - play suitable for all Theatre Company performance sees Solihull tion of Hans Christian Tue 30 Dec, Theatre ages’ that’s based on present the story of Francis talk about SLEEPING BEAUTY Sun Andersen’s classic tale Severn, Shrewsbury Shakespeare’s famous Miss Elizabeth Fairfax Dickens’ first reading 21- Tue 30 Dec, Prince of belonging & identity, A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS comedy of mistaken and her rather unusual at the Town Hall and Of Wales Centre, Can- Mon 22 - Tues 23 Dec, Presented by Blast identity, romance & Christmas of 1895, Fri the author’s exploits in nock Stafford Gatehouse From The Past, Mon 22 shipwrecks, Wed 17 - 19 Dec, Bridge House Birmingham, Sun 21 Theatre Dec, Lichfield Guildhall

Wed 26 November, 7.30pm Wed 3 December, 7.30pm

Tickets: £10/£8 concs Tickets: £10/£8 concs

Fri 5 December, 7.30pm Sun 14 December, 11am & 2pm

Tickets: £10/£8 concs Tickets: £5.00

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 39 Theatre - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:09 Page 13

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO VIEW MORE SHOWS!

Frankwell Quay, Box Office 01743 281 281 Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Book Online www.theatresevern.co.uk SY3 8FT TUESDAY 27 JANUARY

Westcountry folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist .

WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY

His darkest, most personal show yet. Luckily, also his funniest.

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY THE THREE DEGREES

The Legendary American female vocal group, formed in 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. FRIDAY 30 JANUARY

Olivier Award winning OperaUpClose follow their hugely successful La Boheme & Tosca with Mozart's joyous The Marriage of Figaro. Bursting with great tunes, laugh-out-loud comedy and powerful insights.

WEDNESDAY 4 - SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY

40 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre - December.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 20:09 Page 14

Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent LISTINGS DICK WHITTINGTON Tradi- Theatre Box Office Theatre tional pantomime per- formed by Three Spires For full listing information on theatre Musical Society, Sun 28 Birmingham OLDBURY REP, OLDBURY BEDWORTH CIVIC HALL 0121 552 2761 024 7637 6707 productions, including times and dates, Dec - Sat 3 Jan, Albany ALEXANDRA THEATRE visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Theatre, Coventry 0844 871 3011 BELGRADE THEATRE, THE SNOW PRINCESS Shropshire COVENTRY BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME Amateur production THE BELFREY, WELLINGTON 024 7655 3055 SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER night. Strictly over-18s 0844 338 5000 presented by Limelight 01952 222277 BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE, Festive family show only, Sat 27 Dec, BIRMINGHAM REP Theatre Company, Sun THE EDGE, MUCH WENLOCK WARWICK 01926 776438 blending music, pup- Stafford Gatehouse 0121 236 4455 28 Dec - Sat 3 Jan, 01952 728911 THE DREAM FACTORY petry and high-energy Theatre THE BLUE ORANGE THEATRE Roses Theatre, Kidder- THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY 01926 419555 storytelling, Mon 22 - A CHRISTMAS CAROL Lit- 0121 212 2643 minster 01743 234970 ROYAL SHAKESPEARE Wed 24 Dec, Solihull tle English Theatre CRESCENT THEATRE LUDLOW ASSEMBLY THEATRE, Arts Complex Company bring a new 0121 643 5858 Week Commencing ROOMS 01584 878141 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON THE TIGER WHO CAME TO twist to Dickens' festive DOVEHOUSE THEATRE THE PLACE, OAKENGATES, 0844 800 1110 TEA Stage adaptation of favourite, Sun 28 Dec, MON 29 DEC 0121 706 7139 Judith Kerr's much- Artrix, Bromsgrove TELFORD 01952 382382 ROYAL SPA CENTRE THE DRUM 0121 333 2444 loved picture book for ALADDIN Family pan- THEATRE SEVERN, LEAMINGTON 01926 334418 AN EVENING OF MUSIC HALL GREEN LITTLE children, Tue 23 Dec - tomime presented by AND DANCE WITH BIRM- SHREWSBURY WARWICK ARTS CENTRE, Wed 14 Jan, Birming- DE Cavershill Theatre THEATRE 01743 281281 COVENTRY 02476 524524 INGHAM ROYAL BALLET 0121 707 1874 ham Town Hall Company. Jonny Wilkes Wed 31 Dec, Sympho- WEM TOWN HALL MAC 0121 446 3232 TRES TRES CABARET & Christian Patterson ny Hall, Birmingham 01939 232299 Worcestershire star, Sun 28 - Mon 29 OLD JOINT STOCK THEATRE Stafford's very own bur- ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE, 0121 200 0946 lesque and cabaret Dec, Stoke Repertory Staffordshire BROMSGROVE OLD REP 0121 245 4455 LICHFIELD GARRICK 01527 577330 A Christmas Carol - Artrix, Bromsgrove SOLIHULL ARTS COMPLEX 01543 412121 THE HIVE 0121 704 6962 NEW VIC, NEWCASTLE- 01905 822866 UNDER-LYME 01782 717962 HUNTINGDON HALL, Black Country PRINCE OF WALES WORCESTER ARENA THEATRE CENTRE, CANNOCK 01905 611427 01543 578762 WOLVERHAMPTON MALVERN THEATRE 01902 321321 REGENT THEATRE, STOKE 01684 892277 0870 060 6649 BLOXWICH THEATRE NORBURY THEATRE, 01922 653183 RUGELEY ROSE THEATRE DROITWICH 01889 584036 DUDLEY CONCERT HALL 01905 770154 STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 01384 812812 PALACE THEATRE 01785 619080 FOREST ARTS CENTRE, REDDITCH 01527 65203 STOKE REPERTORY THEATRE WALSALL ROSE THEATRE, 01782 209784 01922 654555 01562 743745 GRAND THEATRE, SWAN THEATRE, 01902 429212 Warwickshire WORCESTER NEWHAMPTON ARTS CENTRE ALBANY THEATRE, COVENTRY 01905 611427 01902 572090 024 7601 6222

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Theatre REVIEWS

Below are reviews of theatre productions we checked out last month. For further theatre reviews, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Horrible Christmas The Old Rep, Birmingham A rapping King Charles II was the source of much hilarity in this festive offering from Birmingham Stage Company. An alternative to the traditional panto, Terry Deary’s Horrible Christmas provides a fun - and often participatory - way for younger audiences to learn about the origins of Christmas. In modern-day England, when a young Watson Williams has his presents snatched from under the tree, he calls upon the help of super sleuth Shirley Holmes. Together, Watson and Holmes soon estab- lish that the villains behind the crime are Clause and his Scottish sidekick Rudolph. Clause hates Christmas and is on a mission to change the Slava’s Snowshow Birmingham Hippodrome course of history. And so, aided by a time-travelling Slava’s Snowshow has been touring the world for around a decade now, so most of scooter, Clause and Rudolph, with Watson and the riotous audience at Birmingham Hippodrome knew exactly what to expect - except Holmes in hot pursuit, take us to numerous places: me! Consequently I was literally blown away by it - by the wide-eyed magic, wonderful the home of Charles Dickens, where the author is comedy and gale-force blizzard that swept through the stalls. suffering a literary block; the opulent surroundings Half a century ago, Slava Polunin was famously turned down by the Leningrad Theatre of a blinged-up King Charles II; Oliver Cromwell’s Institute because his diction wasn’t up to scratch. Instead he turned himself into a puritan England; the palaces of Henry VIII, com- Russian clown and mime artist. He and his troupe have never looked back. Now in plete with a snorting Katherine Howard; the far- worldwide demand, their UK Christmas tour began in Birmingham. away shores where St Nicholas resides. This is no circus slapstick show. It’s a comedy without words, a ballet without dance; a Horrible Christmas is very entertaining, even for sequence of gently moving tableaux laden with grace, humour and pathos. Each idea older members of the audience. The performance creates diametrically contrasting emotions. I’d never seen anything quite like it. of each of the eight-strong cast is excellent. Tom A red-nosed, red-slippered, ageing clown walks on with a noose around his neck. He Jude’s amusing portrayals of all of the principal tugs and tugs at his long rope, trying to find the other end, only to discover that it too characters throughout history was perfect. His is a noose, fitted round the neck of another clown. You want to laugh and weep in the depiction of Charles II and Henry VIII had me in same moment. Gradually his gang of green gabardined fools arrive, wearing winged stitches - so much so, in fact, that I’d love to see hats and huge, flapping feet. They move slowly about the stage with keen intent. the show all over again. It was certainly a great Every gesture generates a laugh. They are ridiculous, simple and elegant, as they start to my festive season... Patsy Moss n n n n gently toy with our imaginations. A red bedstead and white sheet becomes a ship, rolling roughly in a sea of smoke. Another clown, with his belly on a skateboard and a dark fin on his back, circles the shipmates, weighing up his lunch. It’s simultaneously sinister and hilarious. The show oscillates from tiny, bittersweet, solo vignettes to huge arena effects. In a moment of sophisticated street theatre, Slava plays coyly with his own arm as if it belongs to a stranger. It’s a simple street artist stunt, but in the controlled environment of a proper theatre, its impact is side-splitting. And when he deigns to speak, it’s in completely comprehensible gibberish. The big set-pieces really are big. What at first looks like a harmless wisp of candyfloss grows and grows until it envelops the entire audience in a white cobweb the size of Wembley. And when the blizzard finally comes - billowing ferociously off the stage right into our faces - it brings with it awe and joy. Chris Eldon Lee n n n n n

MummyJi Presents The REP, Birmingham This warm, British-Asian talent show was hosted by the bubbly MummyJi (Rina Fata- nia) and her hapless son, Pandesh (Divian Ladwa), from the comfort of ‘their own liv- ing room’. In no time at all, I too felt very much at home. Claiming that Bollywood leg- Beauty Of The Beast end Amitabh Bachchan had appeared to her in a dream, urging her to launch the The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome show, MummyJi presented a production that made for a welcome and refreshing change from stale TV talent shows like The X Factor. I very much enjoyed watching the Taking the theme of masculinity as its starting diverse acts - from classical Indian dancing to spoken performance art and even a point, Beauty Of The Beast brings together theatre comedy monologue. and dance to showcase ‘the many sides of men’. Light relief was provided It’s performed by an all-male cast of six. by MummyJi’s attempts Raising the curtain with a work of ballet, what was to find her son a wife - originally meant to be a pastiche poses questions she even asked female about masculinity and femininity. Graceful yet pow- audience members about erful, is the artform really so soft? their marital status! The Moving into an exploration of group dynamics, the show broke with tradition ceremonies of initiation and, conversely, of alien- by not announcing an ation, hierarchy and public/private personas, the overall winner. If I’d had evolution of man is symbolised through clothing. to choose, the superb Breaking down barriers and challenging precon- Giddha Sansaar dance ceived notions of what’s masculine, how men troupe would have should act and what it means to be a man, Com- received my vote. pany Chameleon has here created a thought-pro- Malaka Chowdhury n n n voking piece. Alev Dervish n n n n

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Jasmin Vardimon Company Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Theatre WEST END Ten years after it was first staged, Jasmin Vardimon’s critically acclaimed PARK has been resurrected and refigured for a new genera- tion. Bringing so much more to the stage than just contemporary Phill Jupitus to join dance, the production is set in an urban park in need of some care and Urinetown The Musical attention. The narrative follows eight principial characters who frequent, live or work near to the park, which is under threat of development as Never Mind The Buzzcocks frontman Phill we witness a property developer trying to persuade a Japanese busi- Jupitus is to join the cast of Urinetown nesswoman to invest. The Musical this month. Jupitus will play A simple set comprising a fenced-off fountain with a mermaid on top, a Caldwell B Cladwell in director Jamie row of benches, a lamppost and a bin is used to great effect through- Lloyd’s well-reviewed production. A social out the performance, and could see PARK placed anywhere in the and political satire, Urinetown is set in a world. fictional future where water is scarce. Throughout the ninety-five-minute production, we get to meet a host of With the government having imposed a interesting characters. The opening performance introduces us to a ban on all private toilets in order to con- bag lady with a penchant for twerking as she wields bundles of carrier trol water consumption, spending a bags around her robust frame. As the story unfolds, so does her char- penny can be somewhat problematic... acter. Each new routine sees her gradually shed more layers of clothing Urinetown The Musical shows at the until, finally, she morphs into a slimline form of sophistication. Apollo Theatre until 10 January. A busker who loves to graffiti, a homeless man wanting to ‘share the love’, an ASBO boy who bullies his way through life, a chav girl who communicates through intimidation and a singing vamp who attempts Daniel Kitson and Cole Porter at the Old Vic to seduce anyone who crosses her path complete the line-up of char- Artistic Director Kevin Spacey has announced two new shows for acters, each of whom contribute in equal measure to the sheer magnifi- his final season at the Old Vic. Revivals of Daniel Kitson’s Tree and cence of PARK. Cole Porter’s High Society - the latter directed by Maria Friedman - Comedy interspersed with choreographed routines set to an eclectic are highlights of the theatre’s programming for 2015. musical soundscape (ranging from Singin’ In The Rain to The Power Of First performed at ’s Royal Exchange, Tree is described Love and Popcorn) means there’s no shortage of surprises. There’s as a show about ‘dissent, commitment, two people and a tree’. Kit- even a lighthearted rendition of Oh, I Do Like To Be Beside The Sea- son will appear in the show alongside fellow comedian Tim Key. side. The production shows at the Old Vic from 5 to 31 January. PARK is undoubtedly physical theatre at its very best. The dance, the Cole Porter’s High Society, meanwhile, is the story of Long Island comedy, the narrative and the performers are all first class. All in all, an socialite Tracy Lord, whose plans for a lavish summer wedding are excellent evening’s entertainment that I strongly recommend. Let’s just thrown into disarray when her ex-husband turns up and tries to win hope it comes to the region again soon!”. Patsy Moss n n n n n her back. Casting for High Society (30 April to 20 August) has yet to be announced. Arthur Miller classic transfers to the West End The cast of the Young Vic’s A View From The Bridge is to remain with the production when it transfers to Wyndham’s Theatre next year. The Arthur Miller classic, a dark and passionate tale which confronts the American dream, has enjoyed rave reviews at the Young Vic, with Mark Strong receiving particular acclaim for his portrayal of Eddie Carbone. The production also stars Emun Elliot (Marco), Phoebe Fox (Catherine), Michael Gould (Alfieri), Luke Nor- ris (Rodolpho) and Nicola Walker (Beatrice). A View From The Bridge shows at Wyndhams Theatre from 11 February until 11 April.

Songs From A Ledge Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham A theatre space the size of my living room was brought to sizzling life by three brilliant actors in this intimate production. Transported back to 1920s New York, I was spellbound by the stormy life of vivacious blues singer Maria Linwood - played by Amy Kakoura, who also co-wrote the play. Her voice was stunning; her recollections of her past, hilarious. Her scenes were interjected with those of her great-granddaughter Anna (Jessica Duncan), who received from a dis- tant relative a box of Maria’s memorabilia which transformed her life. The strong script, excellent characterisations and won- derful, live music - per- Casting complete for Women On The Verge... formed by both the actors Land Girls actress Seline Hizli is to join Tamsin Greig, Haydn and talented musicians - Gwynne and Anna Skellern in the forthcoming London production made me wish this show of Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown. Based on the had found a wider audi- original book by Pedro Almodóvar, Women On The Verge... is set ence. The delightful sets in Spain in the late 1980s and follows the messy love lives of sever- paved the way for an al women. Hizli, who stars as Marisa, has previously appeared in absorbing tale of familial Jumpy at The Royal Court and The House Of Bernada Alba at the estrangement and heart- Almeida Theatre. Greig, who plays the central character of Pepa - break. By the end, I truly an actress and singer who struggles to deal with being dumped by loved the characters. An her boyfriend - is well known from TV shows Green Wing, evocative evening filled Episodes and Friday Night Dinner. with life, love and laughs. Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown opens at the Play- Malaka Chowdhury house Theatre on 12 January and runs through to 9 May. n n n n n www.whatsonlive.co.uk 43 Film - DEC.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:16 Page 1 GET YOUR COPY DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR EVERY MONTH ...you just pay for the postage and packing! 6 Months £12, 12 Months £24, 2 Years £45

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Film TO WATCH THE LATEST MOVIE TRAILERS, VISIT: www.whatsonlive.co.uk

From FRI 26 DEC

Exodus: Gods And Kings CERT 12a (150 mins) Starring Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, Hiam Abbass Directed by Ridley Scott (USA/UK/Spain) TOP 5 Sir Ridley Scott calls this his biggest epic yet, which is some almighty claim (it was he who brought us 1492: FILM BOX OFFICE Conquest Of Paradise, Gladiator and Kingdom Of Heaven). For those who don’t know their Bible, it’s a tale of sibling rivalry, namely between a lawgiver called Moses (Christian Bale) and his adopted brother Ramesses II (Joel Edgerton), a rather powerful pharaoh. There are also wars, plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. Please, this has got to be better than Darren Aronofsky’s Noah. We hope. Expect some CGI. In 3D. 1 Interstellar (12a)

The Imitation Game 2 (12a) 3 Nativity 3 (U) 4 Mr. Turner (12a) 5 The Drop (15)

FROM FRI 26 DEC

Big Eyes CERT tbc Starring Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Krysten Ritter, Jason Schwartzman, Terence Stamp, Jon Polito Directed by Tim Burton (USA) Any film from Tim Burton is an event but this one is trailing Oscar buzz in its wake - and it’s a fascinating story. This is the true tale of the impresario Walter Keane (Waltz) whose pictures of wide-eyed waifs became a marketing phenomenon in the 1950s. However, history relates that it was actually his wife Margaret (Adams), not Walter, who painted the pictures and when he refused to give her any credit, she took him to court. Origi- nally Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds were in the frame to star, but when Burton took over as director there was a creative reshuffle. If Amy Adams snatches the Oscar nomination she is tipped to, it will be her sixth. Herr Waltz already has two (actual statuettes). Interstellar www.whatsonlive.co.uk 45 Film - DEC.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:16 Page 3

FilmNEW RELEASES Released from Fri 5 December

Penguins Of Madagascar CERT U (92 mins) Featuring the voices of Jennifer Aniston, Mos Def, Isla Fisher, Will Forte, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes Directed by Simon J. Smith and Eric Darnell (USA) Like the Nickelodeon TV series The Penguins Of Madagascar, this full-length feature is an off-shoot from DreamWorks’ Madagascar tril- ogy. This one features a lot of penguins and is a spy thriller (seriously) - with a lot of laughs. To secure the voice of Werner Herzog as narrator is definitely a coup. In 3D.

The Grandmaster CERT 15 (108 mins) Get Santa CERT U (102 mins) Starring Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Starring Jim Broadbent, Rafe Spall, Kit Zhao Benshan Connor, Stephen Graham, Ewen Bremner, Directed by Wong Kar-wai (Hong Kong/China) Jodie Whittaker Directed by Christopher Dedicated followers of Wong Kar-wai will proba- Smith (UK) Black Sea CERT 15 (115 mins) bly adore The Grandmaster. It is such a Wong For Santa read Father Christmas, even Starring Jude Law, Scoot McNairy, Ben Kar-wai film that one aches in its exalted pres- though this is a British comedy. So, Father Mendelsohn, Jodie Whittaker ence. With its exquisite lighting, atmospheric in- Christmas (Jim Broadbent) is on the run Directed by Kevin Macdonald (UK) teriors, tight close-ups and elegiac, from the police, crashes his sleigh and is For his Bafta-winning documentary Touching Morricone-esque score, the film sweeps one up then befriended by a nine-year-old boy The Void (2003), Kevin Macdonald scaled the and invites one to fall in love with its imagery. (Connor) who wants to help his hero save heights of the Peruvian Andes. Now he tack- The Grandmaster himself is one Ip Man Christmas. Incidentally, Chris Smith previ- les the depths of the Black Sea, where Jude (Leung), a martial arts maestro who perfected ously directed the extremely nasty Creep, Law’s submarine captain goes in search of a the horizontal/vertical combat of wing chun. Ip Severance and Black Death. But this bears sunken sub supposedly stacked with gold… Man was a very real person - he went on to a U certificate. The screenplay is by the playwright Dennis teach Bruce Lee - although this biography is Kelly, he who scripted Channel Four’s Utopia. more of a hallucinogenic tapestry of captions, Men, Women & Children voice-over and fights. On the combatant front, CERT 15 (120 mins) the film is no equal of Bruce Lee’s cinematic an- tics - let alone Jackie Chan’s - as the fight se- Starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Rose- marie DeWitt, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, Ansel quences are far too stylised to exhilarate or Elgort Directed by Jason Reitman (USA) enthral. It’s just a symphony of exaggerated sound effects, musical riffs and impossibly bal- A hugely ambitious undertaking, this dramatic letic jumps. It’s odd, then, that this is one mar- comedy follows the tial arts film that might actually be better without interlocking lives of a the martial arts. group of people whose worlds have been changed by the Internet and social networking. From the director of Juno, Up St Vincent CERT 12a (102 mins) In The Air and Labor Starring Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Day. Watts, Chris O'Dowd, Scott Adsit, Terrence Howard Directed by Theodore Melfi (USA) Jack Nicholson was due to play the drunken, The Pyramid CERT 15 (89 mins) hedonistic, misanthropic war veteran St Vincent Starring Ashley Hinshaw, Denis O'Hare, de Van Nuys, but Bill Murray is a damn good re- James Buckley placement. When St Vincent is recruited by his Directed by Grégory Levasseur (USA) neighbour, Maggie (McCarthy), to look after her What are those Egyptians like? All those curses. twelve-year-old son, he introduces the under- Hello Carter CERT U (92 mins) Here a team of American archaeologists un- sized boy to the joys of the strip club and the Starring Charlie Cox, Jodie Whittaker, Paul earth a previously unknown pyramid, but once racetrack, among other things. Schneider, Annabelle Wallis, Christian Cooke, inside... Expect some gory imagery. Judy Parfitt Directed by Anthony Wilcox (UK) A comedy-drama with a romantic heart, Hello Carter follows the hapless Carter (Cox) as he attempts to get his life back together. He’s lost his job, he’s lost his home, but worst of all, he’s lost his girlfriend. Filmed in and around London. 46 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Film - DEC.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:16 Page 4

Released from Fri 12 December

The Circle (Der Kreis) CERT 15 (102 mins) Starring Matthias Hungerbühler, Sven Schelker, Marianne Sägebrecht, Stefan Witschi Directed by Stefan Haupt (Switzerland) Ernst Ostertag and Röbi Rapp were the first same-sex couple to be married in Switzerland, back in 2003. Here, now in their eighties, they relate to camera how their relationship flour- ished in Zurich in 1956, at a time when adult ho- mosexuality was not a criminal offence. In fact, as one talking head puts it, Zurich had “practi- cally one leg in New York.” But things were to change, and The Circle details the backlash against the liberal ideal, with the younger Ernst and Röbi played by Matthias Hungerbühler and Sven Schelker in the dramatised bulk of the film. Unfortunately, Hungerbühler gives a some- From what wooden reading of Ernst, a portrayal that FRI 12 reflects the rather flat delineation of Stefan DEC Haupt’s film. It seems a missed opportunity as the story contains all the true-life dramatic po- tential of Pride, but The Circle fails to either stir or excite. Released from Fri 19 December The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies CERT tbc Starring Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Night At The Museum: Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Secret Of The Tomb CERT tbc Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom Directed by Starring Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wil- Peter Jackson (New Zealand/UK/USA) son, Dan Stevens, Ben Kingsley, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Mickey Rooney Previously known as The Hobbit: There And Directed by Shawn Levy (USA) Back Again, the final instalment of the Hobbit trilogy now takes on a more militant subtitle. After voicing Alex in Madagascar 3 and be- And there’s a lot of battling. There’s not only a fore embarking on Zoolander 2, Ben Stiller very grumpy Smaug (the dragon voiced by slipped in this sequel to Night At The Mu- Cumberbatch) but the return of Sauron (Cum- seum 2: Battle Of The Smithsonian. This time berbatch again) and his army of ferocious The Face Of Love CERT 12a (90mins) the former security guard Larry Daley em- Orcs. It’s all too exciting. In 3D of course. Starring Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Robin barks on a round-the-world trip in an effort to Williams, Amy Brenneman, Jess Weixler save the magic powers of The Tablet of Ahk- Directed by Arie Posin (USA) menrah. Sadly, this comic sequel was to be Annette Bening may be fifty-six, but there’s love the last film for both Robin Williams and Released from Fri 26 December in the air. She plays Nikki Lostrom, who has re- Mickey Rooney. cently lost her husband. Then she meets - and connects with - a teacher and artist (Ed Harris) Unbroken CERT 12a (tbc) who bears an uncanny resemblance to her late Starring Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, spouse. The Israeli-born director Arie Posin pre- Miyavi, Garrett Hedlund, Jai Courtney viously brought us the slick, smart satire The Directed by Angelina Jolie (USA) Chumscrubber (2005). Louis ‘Louie’ Zamperini was quite a chap. An Olympic distance runner praised by Hitler, Zam- perini was a survivor. When his plane crashed in the Pacific, he spent forty-seven days drifting on a raft before being picked up by the Japanese and then sent to a series of POW camps. Jack O’Connell (Starred Up, ’71) is said to be sensa- tional as Zamperini, while such heavyweights as Dumb & Dumber To CERT tbc William Nicholson, Richard LaGravenese and Starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Laurie Joel and Ethan Coen contributed to the screen- Holden, Kathleen Turner, Bill Murray play. Directed by Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly (USA) Twenty years after Dumber And Dumber was re- Annie CERT PG (118 mins) leased (almost to the day) and went on to gross Starring Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Electricity CERT 15 (96 mins) $247million worldwide, we have the sequel. Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Cameron Starring Agyness Deyn, Christian Cooke, Paul Pedants will recall that there was a prequel (in Diaz, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Anderson, Alice Lowe, Lenora Crichlow, Tom Directed by Will Gluck (USA) Georgeson Directed by Bryn Higgins (UK) 2003), but this is the first time that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, now fifty-two and fifty-nine, re- Little Orphan Annie (Wallis) trusts the sun'll Lily O’Connor (Deyn) suffers from temporal lobe spectively, have resurrected their characters of come out tomorrow when filthy-rich New York epilepsy and it is through her eyes - and halluci- the cerebrally challenged morons Lloyd Christ- mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Foxx) turns up nations - that we follow mas and Harry at her foster home. Of her search for her long Dunne. Now they go course, it’s a thinly- lost brother. Based on on a road trip to find veiled campaign the novel by Ray Robin- Harry’s daughter, movie but Annie is no son, which was partly in- who was given up fool… No doubt we’ll spired by events in his for adoption. Think be whistling the tunes own childhood. Filmed Philomena meets when we leave the in and around London Rain Man - and pre- cinema. and Newcastle. pare to be offended. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 47 Film - DEC.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:16 Page 5

Fear Eats The Soul 15 fight against the Capitol. the attention of a guardian Mr. Turner 12a A-Z LISTINGS An almost accidental ro- Stars Jennifer Lawrence, angel that shows him all Mr Turner seems to have Film mance is kindled between Josh Hutcherson. Show- the people whose lives been known by a number a German woman in her ing at Electric Cinema, George has touched and of names: Mr Mallord, Mr All films are currently on general release mid-sixties and a Moroc- Birmingham, until Thurs 4 the difference he has Booth, William, Billy and unless otherwise stated. For full listing can migrant worker Dec; Ludlow Assembly made to his community. by posterity as J.M.W. information, including times and dates, around twenty-five years Rooms, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 Stars James Stewart & Turner, arguably Britain’s Donna Reed. Showing at visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk younger. They abruptly & Mon 22 Dec greatest artist of all time. decide to marry, appalling The Roses Theatre, Stars Timothy Spall. Show- I am Ali PG everyone around them. Tewkesbury, Fri 19 Dec; ing at The Courtyard, swords. However, in order An intimate and heart- ‘71 15 Showing at The Hive, mac, Birmingham, Sat 20 - Hereford, Fri 5 - Thurs 11 to pursue his romantic warming documentary An unstable British soldier Shrewsbury, Wed 10 Dec Tues 23 Dec; Warwick Arts Dec; The Roses Theatre, dream, he has to manoeu- looking at the man behind is caught up in riots in Centre, Coventry, Sat 20 - Tewkesbury, Sat 27 - Mon vre two alternative worlds. the legend - Muhammad Belfast in the year of the Fury 15 Tues 23 Dec; Ludlow As- 29 Dec; Artrix, Broms- Stars Diego Luna, Zoe Ali as he’s never been title. Stars Jack O’Connell. ‘Fury’ is the name of a sembly Rooms, Tues 23 grove, Sat 27 - Tues 30 Saldana. Showing at Artrix, seen before. Showing at Showing at The Courtyard, Sherman tank and Brad Dec Dec Hereford, Mon 8 - Thurs Bromsgrove, Mon 22 - Pitt is in command. It’s the mac, Birmingham, Fri 19 - 11 Dec Weds 24 Dec last month of the war (the Sat 20 Dec Jimi: All Is By My Side The Muppet Christmas Second) and Pitt and his 12 Carol U Chef 15 Ida 12a Alexander And The crew of five find them- A drama based on Jimi Michael Caine, sur- The story of a disgraced Poland 1962; orphaned Terrible, Horrible, No selves stuck behind Hendrix's life as he left rounded by legions of chef who starts up his own novice nun Sister Anna is Good, Very Bad Day PG enemy lines. And even New York City for London, fuzzy, felt puppets, plays it business running an eatery about to take her vows The title pretty much sums though the Allies are mop- where his career took off. straight as the crotchety on wheels. Stars Jon when she finds out that up the gist of this Disney ping up all over Europe, Stars André Benjamin & Ebenezer Scrooge, an old Favreau. Showing at Stour- she was originally named comedy about poor old Fury finds itself in dire Imogen Poots. Showing at miser who couldn’t care bridge Town Hall , Mon 15 Ida and is Jewish, so she eleven-year-old straits as the full might of a The Roses theatre, less about Christmas and Dec goes on a search for the Alex(ander). It’s based on Nazi backlash unleashes Tewkesbury, Wed 10 Dec the joy the season brings. truth about her parents. the 1972 children’s book its, er, fury. Showing at The Showing at mac, Birming- Dolphin Tale 2 U Stars Agata Kulesza. Joyeux Noel 12 by Judith Viorst. Stars Roses Theatre, Tewkes- ham, Sat 6 Dec; Royal Spa More true stories from the Showing at Malvern The- The moment when World Steve Carell, Jennifer Gar- bury, Sat 6 Dec Centre, Leamington Spa, Clearwater Marine Aquar- atres, Thurs 11 Dec War One took a momen- ner. Showing at Ludlow ium in Florida. The first Thurs 11 Dec Get On Up 12a tary backseat for Christ- Assembly Rooms, Mon 29 film was rather sweet. The Imitation Game 12a A biography of James mas. Stars Diane Kruger & My Old Lady 12a - Tues 30 Dec Stars Harry Connick, Jr. Based on the biography Brown. Brown, of course, Benno Furmann. Showing This is all bit of a reunion Showing at The Courtyard, Alan Turing: The Enigma Belle 12a was the Godfather of Soul, at Forest Arts Centre, Wal- for Kristin Scott Thomas Hereford, Sat 6 - Sun 7 by Andrew Hodges, the Based on true events, this and Get On Up chronicles sall, Fri 5 Dec as she has previously Dec; The Roses Theatre, film chronicles Turing’s is the story of Dido Eliza- his rise from poverty to starred alongside both Tewkesbury, Sun 7 Dec part in winning the Sec- The Judge 15 beth Belle, a former slave celebrity. Stars Chadwick Kevin Kline and Maggie ond World War (by help- Estranged from his family, who is brought up by her Boseman & Nelsan Ellis. Smith. Here, she plays the ing to crack the Nazi’s top city lawyer Hank great uncle, the First Earl Showing at The Roses old lady’s daughter, her Enigma code) and then Palmer returns to the small of Mansfield. Stars Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sat 6 mother being the sole oc- his criminal prosecution town of Carlinville, in Indi- Mbatha-Raw. Showing at WATCH Dec; Warwick Arts Centre, cupant of a Parisian apart- for being homosexual. ana, for his mother's fu- Stourbridge Town Hall , Mon 15 - Sun 21 Dec ment inherited by a New Stars Benedict Cumber- neral. He then discovers Mon 1 Dec THE FILM Yorker. Showing at mac, batch & Keira Knightley. that his father, the local The Homesman 15 Birmingham, Fri 5 - Thurs The Big Lebowski 15 Showing at Malvern The- judge, has been accused TRAILERS AT An unlikely Western, in 11 Dec; Warwick Arts Cen- "Dude" Lebowski, mis- atres, until Thurs 4 Dec; of murder… Stars Robert which a man and woman tre, Coventry, Fri 5 - Fri 12 taken for a millionaire, whatsonlive.co.uk Warwick Arts Centre, Downey Jr. & Robert Du- team up to escort three Dec; The Roses Theatre, seeks restitution for his ru- Coventry, until Sun 7 Dec; vall. Showing at Ludlow mentally impaired women Tewkesbury, Sun 21 - Tues ined rug and enlists his Old Market Hall, Shrews- Assembly Rooms, Wed 10 from Nebraska to Iowa. 23 Dec; Warwick Arts Cen- bowling buddies to help bury, until Thurs 11 Dec; - Thurs 11 Dec From the 1988 novel by tre, Coventry, Fri 26 - Sun get it. Starring Jeff Glendon Swarthout. Stars The Courtyard, Hereford, The Drop 15 La Belle Et La Bete PG 28 Dec; The Courtyard, Bridges, John Goodman. Tommy Lee Jones & Hi- Fri 12 - Wed 17 Dec; Lud- Tom Hardy plays a Brook- Jean Cocteau's adapta- Hereford, Fri 26 - Tues 30 Showing at Electric Cin- lary Swank. Showing at low Assembly Rooms, Sat lyn bartender whose joint tion of Beauty and the Dec; Ludlow Assembly ema, Birmingham, Thurs mac, Birmingham, Sat 13 - 13, Mon15 - Thurs 18 Dec; is used as a money-laun- Beast. When a merchant Rooms, Mon 29 - Tues 30 11 Dec Thurs 18 Dec The Roses Theatre, dering operation for the is told that he must die for Dec local lowlife. Then things Tewkesbury, Fri 28 - Sun Blade Runner: The Final Human Capital 15 picking a rose from the get personal… Showing at 28 Dec; Warwick Arts Cen- Nativity! U Cut 15 A cyclist is hit by a jeep, Beast's garden, his coura- Warwick Arts Centre, until tre, Coventry, Mon 29 - Primary school teacher Adapted from Philip K and so the destinies of two geous daughter offers to Thurs 4 Dec Wed 31 Dec Paul Maddens is being Dick’s novel Do Androids families become irrevoca- go back to the Beast in Dream Of Electric Sheep?, charged with the biggest Effie Gray 15 bly intertwined in a tricky Interstellar 12a her father's place. Stars Ridley Scott’s science fic- challenge of his life - direct- Back in the 1850s, ‘Effie,’ social dance of status, A sci-fi tale of the journey Jean Marais & Josette Day. tion masterpiece Blade ing the school's musical the wife of the eminent art money and ambition. undertaken by a group of Showing at The Roses Runner has gripped audi- version of the Nativity, critic John Ruskin, met the Stars Valeria Bruni astronauts through a Theatre, Tewkesbury, Sun ences and inspired pas- competing against the Pre-Raphaelite painter Tedeschi. Showing at wormhole. Think Gravity 7 Dec sionate and fierce debate posh local school for the John Everett Millais. The Hereford Courtyard The- with more star names. ever since its initial release Miracle On 34th Street honour of best reviewed resultant affaire de cœur atre, Mon 1 - Wed 3 Dec; Stars Matthew Mc- in 1982. Stars Harrison U show in town. Stars Mar- has been the subject of The Roses Theatre, Conaughey & Anne Hath- Ford, Rutger Hauer. The mysterious Kriss tin Freeman & Pam Ferris. much speculation. Stars Tewkesbury, Thurs 11 Dec away. Showing at The Showing at Electric Cin- Kringle is white-bearded Showing at Warwick Arts Dakota Fanning & Emma Courtyard, Hereford, Fri 12 ema, Birmingham, Sat 14 The Hunger Games: department store Santa Centre, Sat 6 Dec Thompson. Showing at - Wed 17 Dec; Festival Dec listening to the wish lists of Ludlow Assembly Rooms, Mockingjay Part 1 12a Drayton Centre, Market Nativity 3: Dude, JLaw is back as Katniss Drayton, Mon 29 - Tues 30 toy-crazed kids, deter- Where’s My Book Of Life U Mon 1 & Wed 3 Dec; The mined to prove he is in Donkey? U Roses Theatre, Tewkes- Everdeen, and in her new Dec Following in the skid Originally entitled Day Of role as Mockingjay - the fact the genuine article. The Dead, this animated bury, until Fri 5 Dec; Artrix, It’s A Wonderful Life U Stars Richard Attenbor- marks of Nativity! (2009) Bromsgrove, Sun 7 - Mon symbol of hope for the and Nativity 2: Danger in musical-adventure con- persecuted districts of When selfless George Bai- ough. Showing at The cerns a hopeless romantic 8 Dec ley attempts suicide on Courtyard, Hereford, Sat 6 the Manger (2012), comes Panem - she must consoli- this third instalment featur- with a guitar and two date the divided in their Christmas Eve he gains - Sun 7 Dec

FOREST ARTS CENTRE, WAL- ODEON TELFORD ODEON TAMWORTH Worcestershire CINEMA Box Office SALL 01922 645 555 0871 224 4007 0871 224 4007 ARTRIX, BROMSGROVE OMH SHREWSBURY 01527 577330 Shropshire 01743 281281 Warwickshire Birmingham SHOWCASE 0871 220 1000 MALVERN THEATRE VUE CINEMA Star City 08712 CINEWORLD, SHREWSBURY WEM TOWN HALL ODEON COVENTRY 0845 287 2146 CINEWORLD Broad St, B’ham 0871 200 2000 01939 232299 0871 224 4007 240 240 THE NORBURY THEATRE, 0871 200 2000 THE EDGE ARTS CENTRE, Staffordshire ODEON NUNEATON DROITWICH SPA CINEWORLD Solihull Black Country MUCH WENLOCK 0871 224 4007 08444 777 1000 0871 200 2000 CINEWORLD W’HAMPTON 01952 728 911 CINEWORLD, BURTON-UPON- SHOWCASE, COVENTRY TRENT 0871 200 2000 WAREHOUSE, ELECTRIC, B’ham 0871 200 2000 FESTIVAL DRAYTON CENTRE, 0871 220 1000 0121 643 7879 THE STAFFORD CINEMA, KIDDERMINSTER LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CEN- MARKET DRAYTON VUE, LEAMINGTON SPA 01562 747773 EMPIRE 0871 471 4714 TRE, W’HAMPTON 01902 01630 654 444 STAFFORD 08712 240 240 716055 0207 438 9580 VUE, WORCESTER MILLENNIUM POINT THE HIVE, SHREWSBURY PICTURE HOUSE, STRAT- 0871 224 0240 0121 202 2222 ODEON MERRY HILL, DUD- 01743 234 970 FOXLOWE ARTS CENTRE, FORD-UPON-AVON 0871 902 THE ROSE’S THEATRE, MAC 0121 446 3232 LEY 0871 22 44007 LUDLOW ASSEMBLY ROOMS LEEK 01538 386 112 5741 SHOWCASE, DUDLEY 01584 878 141 STOKE FILM THEATRE, 01782 TEWKESBURY ODEON 0871 224 4007 WARWICK ARTS CENTRE 01684 295 074 0871 220 1000 411188 COVENTRY 02476 524524 REEL Quinton 0121 421 5316 MAJESTIC, BRIDGNORTH 01746 761815

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ing the loose canon that is Paddingtontbc from George’s past threat- terviews and a wealth of but no one even knew However, their limited sur- Mr Poppy, whom the stu- A film about the loveable ens to undermine their rare and never before their names. Starring Dar- vival skills are tested by dents of St Bernadette's bear with a penchant for union... Stars Jennifer seen archive, Still the lene Love & Lisa Fischer. the lack of food, bad adore. Stars Martin Clunes marmalade.Stars Hugh Lawrence & Bradley Enemy Within draws to- Showing at The Hive, weather, an over amorous & Marc Wootton.Showing Bonneville &Sally Hawkins. Cooper. Showing at Light gether personal experi- Shrewsbury, Fri 19 Dec Uncle and a shared fixa- House Media Centre, ences – whether they’re tion for illegal substances. at Warwick Arts Centre, Showing at Warwick Arts The Two Faces Of Janu- Coventry, Fri 12 - Thurs 18 Centre, Coventry, Fri 19 - Wolverhampton, until tragic, funny or terrifying – Stars Richard E. Grant & ary 12a Dec; Wem Town Hall, Fri Wed 24 Dec; The Court- Thurs 4 Dec; Warwick Arts to take the audience on Paul McGann.Showing at Rydal, a tour guide shows 19 - Sun 21 Dec; Festival yard, Hereford, Sat 20 - Centre, Coventry, Mon 8 - an emotionally powerful mac, Birmingham, Tues an American couple Drayton Centre, Market Wed 31 Dec; mac, Birm- Thurs 11 Dec; The Roses journey through the dra- 16 - Thurs 18 Dec around the Acropolis of Drayton, Fri 19 - Sat 20 & ingham, Fri 26 - Wed 31 Theatre, Tewkesbury, Tues matic events of that year. Athens. But Rydal is not all What We Did On Our Tues 23 Dec; Ludlow As- Dec; Artrix, Bromsgrove, 16 - Thurs 18 Dec Showing at Electric Cin- he seems and neither, for Holiday12a sembly Rooms, Mon 22 - Sat 27 - Wed 31 Dec ema, Birmingham, Tues 2 Wed 24 Dec Set Fire To the Stars15 Dec that matter, is his new friend When Abi and Doug are Taking its title from the last Chester MacFarland. Stars invited to the Scottish Northern Soul15 line of Dylan Thomas’s Times And Winds15 Viggo Mortensen & Kirsten Highlands for the birthday An authentic, uplifting ‘'Love in the Asylum,' this Turkish director Reha Dunst.Showing at The of Doug’s father, they are drama about two friends is the story of the Welsh Erdem's sumptuously Edge Arts Centre, Much determined to keep their whose horizons are ex- poet’s first visit to America. composed fourth feature Wenlock, South Shrop- impending divorce a se- panded forever by their Elijah Wood plays the liter- looks at childhood life in a shire, Mon 1 Dec; cret. Stars Rosamund discovery of black Ameri- ary critic and aspiring poet rural village on a mountain Foxlowe Arts Centre, Leek, Pike & David Tennant. can soul music, with sup- John Malcolm Brinnin overlooking the sea is the Staffs, Tues 2 Dec Showing at Ludlow As- porting turns from Steve who brings Thomas along incubator for an examina- sembly Rooms, Sat 6 & Coogan, Lisa Stansfield - and has to suffer the tion of that pain as experi- Violette15 Mon 8 Dec; Artrix, Broms- &Ricky Tomlinson consequences. Stars Eli- enced through the eyes of Impoverished and grove, Tues 9 & Fri 19 Dec amongst others.Showing jah Wood & Celyn Jones. three very different chil- unloved Violette Leduc meets Simone de Beau- Winter Sleep15 at The Roses Theatre, Say When15 Showing at mac, Birming- dren. Showing at The voir in post war Saint-Ger- In Palme d'Or winner Win- Tewkesbury, Sat 20 Dec When Megan is proposed ham, until Tues 2 Dec Hive, Shrewsbury, Fri 5 maindes-Prés. An intense ter Sleep, Aydin, a former to by her long-term Dec The Other Woman12a The Shop Around The lifelong relationship devel- actor, runs a small hotel in boyfriend, she panics and It’s hard to imagine any CornerU This Is Where I Leave ops between the two central Anatolia with his hangs out with sixteen- man double-dealing Two employees at a gift You12a women authors, based on young wife Nihal with year-old Annika instead. Cameron Diaz, but this is shop can barely stand one The comedic story of four Violette’s quest for free- whom he has a stormy re- Then she meets Annika’s the case in this revenge another, without realising siblings who return to their dom through writing and lationship and his sister rather cute dad.Stars Keira comedy. Also stars Nikolaj that they're falling in love childhood home following on Simone’s conviction Necla who is suffering Knightley & Sam Rockwell. Coster-Waldau.Showing at through the post as each the death of their father. that she holds in her from her recent divorce. In Showing at The Roses Forest Arts Centre, Walsall, other's anonymous pen Stars Jason Bateman & hands the destiny of an winter as the snow begins Theatre, Thurs 18 Dec Fri 5 Dec pal. Stars Margaret Sulla- Tina Fey.Showing at The extraordinary writer.Show- to fall, the hotel turns into Serena15 van & James Stewart. Courtyard, Hereford, until ing at Light House Media a shelter but also an in- Our Currency Is Showing at Wem Town Mon 1 Dec Centre, Wolverhampton, escapable place that fuels Information George Pemberton is a ty- coon who moves from Hall, Thurs 4 Dec Mon 1 - Thurs 4 Dec their animosities… Stars The first episode of the Twenty Feet From Boston to Depression-Era Haluk Bilginer & Melisa documentary film series Still the Enemy Within Stardom12a Withnail & 15I North Carolina to build a Sözen.Showing at mac, exposing the Invisible 15 A wonderfully exuberant A modern classic that fol- timber empire. Initially met Birmingham, Fri 12 - Mon which shows methods for In 1984, a conservative tribute to the fabulous lows the (mis) fortunes of with hostility by the locals, 15 Dec; Electric Cinema, investigating corruption government under Prime backing singers who Withnail and friend as they his wife, Serena soon Birmingham, Sat 6 - Thurs and organised crime. Minister Margaret worked on classic albums attempt to escape their proves that she can hold 11 Dec Showing at The Drum, Thatcher declared war on through the 60s & 70s. squalid Camden flat for an her own. But then a secret Birmingham, Thurs 4 Dec Britain’s unions. Using in- Millions loved their voices holiday in the countryside.

DVD NEW RELEASES The Congress 15 The Inbetweeners 2 15 The story of an ageing Having wreaked havoc in Hollywood beauty who Crete, Jay Cartwright can no longer get work (Buckley) goes on a gap due to her reputation for year in Australia and in- being ‘difficult.’ So, in vites along his sex-mad, order to continue her ca- half-witted friends. Stars reer, she sells the rights Simon Bird, James Buck- to her ‘digital image.’ ley and Blake Harrison. Stars Robin Wright and Released 8 December Harvey Keitel. Released 8 December The Nut Job U The nuts in question are those prized by squirrels in the fictional town of Oakton, where the self- centred Surly is forced to reconsider the value of the greater good. With the voices of Will Arnett and Brendan Fraser. Released 8 December The Expendables 3 12a After Conrad Stonebacks (Mel Gibson) survived Lucy 12a novels back to the Into The Storm 12a Sex Tape 15 Expendables 2 so Bar- Lucy is a drug mule screen. Weaving to- Those looking for a mete- Cameron Diaz and Jason ney must now recruit a whose body is perme- gether two of Miller’s orological Godzilla should Segal team up again with new band of younger Ex- ated by a drug she is classic stories with new be warned that this is a director Jake Kasdan. pendables to help him carrying, which boots tales, some of Sin City's “found footage” thriller. This time they play a mar- finish the job. Stars her brain power to su- most hard-boiled citizens The premise is about a ried couple whose private Sylvester Stallone and perhuman proportions, cross paths with a few of group of students who at- sex tape ends up in cyber Jason Statham. so she turns on the its more reviled inhabi- tempt to document the space. Released 8 December gangsters who have tants. Stars Jessica Alba. devastating effects of a Released 26 December Million Dollar Arm PG been exploiting her. Released 15 December tornado, and so the This “inspirational” true- Stars Scarlett Johans- events are relayed by life drama from Disney son, Morgan Freeman. video camera à la Clover- includes both cricket and Released 29 Dec field, Paranormal Activity, Major League baseball, Chronicle, et al. The as the sports agent J. B. Sin City 2: A Dame To Leicester-born actor Bernstein tries to recruit Richard Armitage (The Indian cricketers to play Kill For 18 Co-directors Robert Ro- Hobbit, TV’s Spooks) baseball in America. plays a widowed father Stars Jon Hamm and driguez and Frank Miller reunite to bring Miller’s trying to rescue his son. Suraj Sharma. Released 15 December Released 15 December visually stunning graphic

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Last Post: Remembering The First World War Coalbrookdale Gallery, Ironbridge, Shropshire, until Fri 27 March Curated by the British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) in partnership with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Last Post explores the effect of the Great War on the Post Office and its people, as well as explaining the contribution of postal com- munications to the war effort. “The First World War Centenary is an opportunity to reflect on the impact that this cataclysmic con- flict had upon everyone, not just those fighting on the Front Line,” says Dr Adrian Steel, Director of BPMA. “Few organisations had a greater role to play, or a greater impact, over the five years of hostilities than the British postal service.” The exhibition encompasses a variety of themes. Alongside its presentation of objects of military and postal importance, it also includes stories from a Shropshire perspective.

Black Sheep: The Dark Side Of Felt Art Of The Troubles Bilston Craft Gallery, Sat 6 December - Sat 31 January Wolverhampton Art Gallery, until Fri 27 February “There are some fascinating pieces of work in Black Sheep that let you see beyond felt’s fuzzy reputation,” says Bilston Craft Gallery Exhibitions Officer Carrie Slawinska. “It’s No fewer than fifty artists have contributed to this amazing what can be created from the material - and with such a long history, it makes thought-provoking exhibition, which takes a look you realise just how versatile felt truly is.” Items on show include teddy bear skulls, at the ways in which the Troubles in Northern seamless show-stopping garments, animal-based headwear and sculptural forms. Ireland have impacted on modern-day society. “Art Of The Troubles is not designed to be either a historical or comprehensive account of all that Darren Banks: The Raven happened during the Troubles,” explains Dr Jim New Art Gallery, Walsall, McGreevy, Director of Collections & Interpretation Thurs 4 December - Sun 26 April for National Museums Northern Ireland. “We are conscious of the unresolved legacy of the The extraordinary life of 1960s disc jock- Troubles and continuing sensitivities in our com- ey Mike Raven is here explored by the munity. The exhibition offers avenues for exploring highly rated Darren Banks. the ways in which the Troubles have been viewed Pirate radio and Radio One star Raven, by a range of artists, and for reflecting upon the whose real name was Churton Fairman, manifestations and impact of violence and division dabbled with various artforms during his in our community.” career. An aspiring ballet dancer and The exhibition features a wide range of works and photographer, he later became a horror includes paintings, drawings, photographs and film actor and starred alongside sculpture. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. A 1970s epiphany led him to become a sheep farmer and woodcarver on Bodmin Moor where, following his death in 1997, he was buried in a grave that he’d dug himself. Banks’ homage to Raven not only explores many facets of the latter’s life but does so within the context of the New Art Gallery’s collections - a process which requires the reframing of historic and contemporary art and sculpture. www.whatsonlive.co.uk 51 Visual Arts December R2 .qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 13:09 Page 2

and the role of women German expressionist PREVIEWS LISTINGS on the Home Front are art from the Barber VisualArts VisualArts among the themes Collection, including explored in this enlight- early twentieth century For full listing information on Visual Art ening WWI exhibition, prints by celebrated Further exhibitions exhibitions, including times and dates, until Wed 31 Dec, artists Max Beckmann, visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk Library of Birmingham George Grosz & Egon STATIC: STILL LIFE Schlele, until Sun 11 RECONSIDERED Jan, The Barber ECHO Exhibition of paint- Birmingham Exhibition comprising Institute, Birmingham Empire By Jon Tonks ings by London-based fifty artworks from MARTIN PARR: BLACK mac, Birmingham, until Sun 4 January JIM SIMPSON’S PHOTOG- artists, with audio RAPHY RETROSPECTIVE Birmingham’s collection COUNTRY STORIES West Midlands-born photographer Jon accompaniment from Exhibition which looks from the 1800s to the Photographic portrait & Tonks’s fascinating exhibition is the end Birmingham-based at the many and varied present day, until Wed archive of life in the musicians, until Fri 5 31 Dec, Birmingham Black Country, until Sun product of a sixty thousand-mile journey, dur- photographs that the Dec, Stryx, Digbeth, artist produced back in Museum & Art Gallery 11 Jan, New Art Gallery, ing which he used four hundred rolls of film, Birmingham the sixties, during which NEIL HARRIS People’s Walsall caught twenty-four flights and spent thirty- SUSAN PHILIPSZ - BRO- time he caught on cam- Prize Winner 2013 USEFUL OR BEAUTIFUL two days at sea. Jon’s travels saw him KEN ENSEMBLE: WAR era such stars as The whose work is inspired CRAFT EXHIBITION exploring life on four remote islands in the DAMAGED MUSICAL Rolling Stones, Little by fantasy, the mythical Curated selection of South Atlantic, all of which are relics of the INSTRUMENTS (BRASS Richard & Black and the extinct, until Fri contemporary craft for SECTION) New site-spe- Sabbath, until Sat 27 2 Jan, Newcastle once-formidable British Empire - the British sale, until Sat 17 Jan, cific work from Turner Dec, Havill & Travis, Museum & Art Gallery, RBSA Gallery, Overseas Territories of Ascension Island, Prize-winning artist Harborne, Birmingham Newcastle-under-Lyme Birmingham Tristan da Cunha, the Falkland Islands and St Susan Philipsz, which SENSING SCULPTURE MADE AT MAC: JEW- THE MAKING OF MORDOR Helena. Photographing the people and land- promises to fill the Featuring new sculp- ELLERY EXHIBITION Exhibition exploring the scapes, and recording traces of the past gallery with the sounds tures alongside old Featuring work created links between JRR of instruments dam- favourites, until Wed 31 under the watchful eye Tolkien’s depiction of which he found embedded within each terri- aged in World War One, tory, Jon is eager to point out that his motiva- Dec, Wolverhampton of artist-tutor Nick his fantasy region and until Sat 6 Dec, Art Gallery Greenhough, until Sun the industrial Black tion for the project was neither political nor Eastside Projects, 4 Jan, mac, Country of the 1900s, nostalgic. Instead it arose from his curiosity Birmingham DUDLEY SOCIETY OF ARTISTS until Wed 31 Birmingham presented alongside about the lives of these distant yet still firmly OLD HILL UPRISING Dec, Dudley Museum & JON TONKS: EMPIRE more contemporary British lands. Exhibition of paintings Art Gallery Series of photographs responses, until 17 Jan, by Sandwell-based Wolverhampton Art DEER PARK DUDLEY which come together to Polish artist Rafal Zar, tell the story of life on Gallery until Sat 6 Dec, Archaeological exhibi- tion, until Wed 31 Dec, four remote islands in THE NAKED AND THE Enchanted Eastside Projects, the South Atlantic, until NUDE Works made Birmingham Dudley Museum & Art Red House Glass Cone, Stourbridge, Gallery Sun 4 Jan, mac, between 1500 and 1914 until Sat 4 Jan MILLION WOMEN RISE Birmingham by, among others, EXHIBITION Highlighting BOULTON PAUL Former Durer, Rembrandt and Mystical artworks depicting elusive fairies employees of the British CHRISTMAS CRAFTS & some of what the MMR CONTEMPORARY PRINTS Matisse are featured in and soulful pieces celebrating the origins of has done over the Aircraft manufacturer this striking exhibition of showcase their knowl- until Sun 4 Jan, Shire Christmas feature in this delightful exhibition, years, until Wed 10 Hall Gallery, Stafford images portraying the Dec, Library Of edge of the industry, unclothed human fig- which explores ‘the magic and wonder of the until Wed 31 Dec, WEST INDIES TO WEST festive season’. Enchanted has been mount- Birmingham ure, until Sun 18 Jan, Wolverhampton Art MIDLANDS Photographic The Barber Institute, ed by Red House Glass Cone’s studio artists SOUND AND SILENCE Gallery exhibition by rising EXHIBITION Exploring the Birmingham and features jewellery, ceramic, glass and CRAFTSENSE Exploring Birmingham-based doc- experience of prayer & umentary photographer WHEN SANTA CAME TO lino-cut prints, with pieces including glass- contemplation amongst three hundred years of THE FACTORY Exhibition craft through fine his- Inés Elsa Dalal, until fused Christmas wreaths, hand-fused Birmingham’s six major Thurs 8 Jan, The Drum, which brings together Christmas trees on cards and paintings of faith groups, until Sat toric examples of childhood memories applied arts produced Birmingham local scenes. 13 Dec, Birmingham with nostalgic photo- Museum & Art Gallery in the Black Country, AFTER THE GOLDRUSH An graphs to focus on the “The made@the cone studio artists have including the famous exhibition of work by ALL FIRED UP Exhibition hugely popular pulled out all the stops for their annual show- Bilston enamels, until Stephen Boyd made in Christmas parties of work created by Wed 31 Dec, Bilston response to the finding case,” says members of Region 4 organised by the Councillor Hilary Bills, Craft Gallery and conservation of the region’s factories & from the Guild of Staffordshire Hoard, cabinet member for Enamellers, until Sat 13 TURNING ‘AGES EXHIBI- their workforce, until TION Installation & exhi- until Fri 11 Jan, Sun 18 Jan, Bantock environment and cul- Dec, Bilston Craft Birmingham Museum & Gallery bition which comments House, Wolverhampton ture. “The Enchanted on our connection with Art Gallery MOUNTAIN, MOOR AND A MODERN NARRATIVE exhibition embraces the written word, until B(U)Y ME! FOR CHRIST- Exhibition of contempo- the spirit of Christmas MOONLIGHT Cleone Wed 31 Dec, Library of MAS Exhibition of hand- Abbs’ artwork reflects rary painting & drawing and the traditions of Birmingham made festive gifts from by Kate Bainbridge & her attempts to bring local & national design- Yule to create some inner and outer worlds VOICES OF WAR EXHIBI- Genevieve Belgard, TION The experiences of er makers, until Fri 11 until Fri 23 Jan, The truly original pieces into new and unexpect- Jan, Newcastle ed relationships, until men on the Front, the Bond Cafe Gallery, of work.” impact of war on chil- Museum & Art Gallery, Birmingham Sat 13 Dec, Newcastle-under-Lyme Wolverhampton Art dren, the contribution of REBEL VISIONS Gallery Black & Asian soldiers, ‘DEGENERATE ART’ Groundbreaking exhibi- Static: Still Life Last THE ARTIST AND THE CITY chance A collaborative exhibi- Reconsidered to see tion celebrating Stoke’s Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, status as a creative until Wed 31 December hub, until Sat 13 Dec, Airspace Gallery, Stoke- Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Howard on-Trent Hodgkin, Henry Moore and Jim Dine are just HIDDEN WATERS some of the renowned artists whose work Exhibition by Bob features in this exhibition at the Museum & Levene about water, Art Gallery’s Waterhall Gallery. Comprising sewage & maps, until fifty artworks from Birmingham’s collection Sat 20 Dec, Ort Gallery, from the 1800s to the present day, Static Balsall Heath, Birmingham brings together a broad range of disciplines and artistic responses, at the same time BIRMINGHAM AND BEYOND Featuring contri- opening a discussion about the genre of still butions from numerous life in its broadest sense. highly acclaimed hon- Three new contemporary exhibits, Land Of orary RBSA members, Milk And Honey II - from the late West notably David Bromwich artist Donald Rodney - and Carpanini, Ken Howard, HRH the Prince of Snacks 4 and London Oyster Shells (from Wales and John Salt, young artist Jess Flood-Paddock) are show- until Wed 24 December, Rebel Visions - The Barber Institute, Birmingham cased in the exhibition. RBSA Gallery, 52 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Visual Arts December R2 .qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 13:09 Page 3

BIRMINGHAM AND THE through abstract land- ceramics, Mon 29 Dec - START Featuring works LISTINGS ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE scapes, still life and Sat 7 Mar, RBSA by RBSA Members & VisualArts REGIMENT 1914 - 1918 flower paintings, Mon Gallery, Birmingham Associates. All works on Exhibition which com- 29 Dec - Sat 28 Feb, show are for sale, For full listing information on Visual Art JUNE DUDLESTON RBSA memorates the cente- RBSA Gallery, Exhibition exploring priced £200 or under, exhibitions, including times and dates, nary of the First World Birmingham landscape scenes over Tues 30 Dec - Sat 7 visit www.whatsonlive.co.uk War and recounts the ROBERT HAND ARBSA the changing seasons, Feb, RBSA Gallery, experiences of Solo show featuring a Mon 29 Dec - Sat 14 Birmingham Birmingham men who tion exploring the work POP EUROPE! until Sat 7 combination of hand- Feb, RBSA Gallery, served in the regiment built raku & pit-fired Birmingham of British war artist Feb, Wolverhampton Art between 1914 and Richard Nevinson, until Gallery 1918, using personal Sun 25 Jan, The Barber WEST MIDLANDS OPEN objects, medals & Museums & Art Galleries Institute, Birmingham Biennial public art exhi- memorabilia, until Sun JULIAN OPIE The last in a 26 July, Birmingham bition featuring work by Birmingham BROADFIELD HOUSE GLASS Staffordshire series of five exhibitions both professional and Museum & Art Gallery MUSEUM, DUDLEY ARTIFEX Sutton Coldfield NEWCASTLE BOROUGH to be presented in amateur artists from all FAITHFUL FRIENDS PHO- 01384 812745 Ikon’s Tower Room as 0121 323 3776 MUSEUM & ART GALLERY disciplines, until Sun 15 TOGRAPHY EXHIBITION A DUDLEY MUSEUM & ART BARBER INSTITUTE 01782 232323 part of the gallery’s Feb, Birmingham body of work docu- GALLERY birthday celebrations, Museum & Art Gallery 0121 414 7333 THE POTTERIES MUSEUM & menting friendships 01384 815575 ART GALLERY, STOKE-ON- until Sun 25 Jan. Ikon THE ARTIST AND THE CITY formed & deepened BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY LIGHT HOUSE MEDIA CENTRE TRENT 01782 232323 Gallery, Birmingham A collaborative exhibi- through the Near 0121 303 2834 WOLVERHAMPTON SHIRE HALL GALLERY IMRAN QURESHI tion celebrating Stoke’s Neighbours programme 01902 716055 STAFFORD 01785 278345 Featuring an array of status as a creative in Birmingham, Mon 1 - CASTLE GALLERIES 0121 248 8484 THE NEW ART GALLERY STAFFORDSHIRE MUSEUM, gold and blood-red hub, until Sun 22 Feb, Sun 14 Dec, Library of WALSALL 01922 654400 SHUGBOROUGH miniature paintings Potteries Museum & Art Birmingham GRAND UNION RED HOUSE GLASS CONE 01889 881388 depicting people, blos- 0121 643 9079 Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent DARREN BANKS: THE 01384 812750 soms, colours, rain, ART OF THE TROUBLES RAVEN A body of work IKON GALLERY leaves and abstract 0121 248 0708 WOLVERHAMPTON ART Warwickshire Major new exhibition inspired by the legacy GALLERY 01902 552055 forms, until Sun 25 Jan, featuring artists’ of Churton Fairman - NUMBER NINE THE GALLERY COMPTON VERNEY GALLERY Ikon Gallery, responses to the trou- better known by his 0121 643 9099 01926 645500 Birmingham bles in Northern Ireland, alias, Mike Raven, RBSA GALLERY Shropshire HERBERT ART GALLERY ANDY GARBI: SHADOWS & until Fri 27 Feb, Thurs 4 Dec - Sun 26 0121 2364353 BEAR STEPS GALLERY, COVENTRY 02476 832386 DUST Using music, pho- Wolverhampton Art Apr, New Art Gallery, STRYX GALLERY, DIGBETH SHREWSBURY MEAD GALLERY WARWICK tography and video, the Gallery Walsall [email protected] 01743 344994 02476 524524 artist explores ‘spirit of THE JEWELLERY QUARTER BLACK SHEEP: THE DARK THREE WHITE WALLS SHREWSBURY MUSEUM & ROYAL PUMP ROOMS place’ through audiovi- DURING THE FIRST SIDE OF FELT Exploration GALLERY ART GALLERY 01926 742700 01743 258885 sual works that contain WORLD WAR Exhibition of the edgier side of felt 0121 200 3328 RUGBY MUSEUM & ART within them the ‘DNA’ of of artefacts, images and in an exhibition curated TWENTY TWENTY GALLERY, GALLERY 01788 533201 the Newman Bros facto- oral histories relating to by textile artist & felt Black Country MUCH WENLOCK ry before changes 01952 727952 the recruitment of sol- maker Laura Mabbutt, BANTOCK HOUSE Worcestershire occurred through its THE WILLOW GALLERY, diers from the Jewellery Sat 6 Dec - Sat 31 Jan, WOLVERHAMPTON WORCESTER CITY ART renovation, until Fri 30 Quarter, until Sat 27 Bilston Craft Gallery 01902 552195 OSWESTRY Jan, Newman Brothers 01691 657575 GALLERY 01905 25371 June, The Jewellery VAL PITCHFORD RBSA Val BILSTON CRAFT GALLERY at the Coffin Works, Quarter, Birmingham 01902 552507 Jewellery Quarter, explores the small, and Birmingham SOLDIERS STORIES: very small, format Visit whatsonlive.co.uk for venue website details

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Santa’s Winter Wonderland Snowdome, Tamworth, Staffs, until Wed 31 December A brand new adventure-packed stage show awaits festive-season vis- snow as they explore Santa’s Christmas snow trail, take a walk itors to this popular Staffordshire destination. Santa’s on a mission to through the enchanted forest, enjoy a game of snowballs and hitch a find a new apprentice for his Winter Wonderland stage show, and ride on a sledge. everyone needs to play their part in helping him decide who to hire. The less adventurous, meanwhile, can observe the snow action as Suitable for all age groups, the Winter Wonderland Show is just part they amble along the promenade walkway. There’s even an animal of the festive fun on offer at Tamworth’s snowy indoor attraction. A village, where you can meet Santa’s reindeer and say hello to some safe environment ensures visitors are able to play and slide in real of his furry friends.

Continental Circus Berlin On Ice Star City, Birmingham, Thurs 18 December - Sat 3 January After delighting audiences across the world, Continental Circus Berlin this month lands in the Midlands with a glittering show that com- bines ice artistry, circus skills and illusions. Ice dancers, trapeze artists, contortionists, come- dians and magicians all feature in this high- energy production, which is presented within a brand new state-of-the-art (and heated!) lux- ury big top.

Festive Weekends Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, Shropshire, Sat 6 - Sun 7 & Sat 13 - Sun 14 December Plenty of Victorian festive cheer is on offer at Shropshire’s Blists Hill museum this month, as residents busy themselves with preparations for Christmas. Visitors to the award-winning site can watch some of the seasonal entertainment on offer - including Punch & Judy, a mini per- formance of Little Red Riding Hood, a magician and carol singing. New for 2014, Blists Hill is offering a series of family workshops in the site’s Engine Shed. Here, children will be able to have a go at printing Christmas cards, making paper chain decorations, writing letters to Father Christmas and taking part in fun quizzes and fascinating Christmas facts. And just in case all that’s not enough to ensure your youngsters are happily entertained, Father Christmas himself - together with his reindeer - will be on hand to hear some last-minute present requests.

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Events PREVIEWS Antiques For Everyone NEC, Birmingham, Thurs 4 - Sun 7 December Antiques For Everyone is one of the largest events of its kind in the UK - and with items ranging from as little as £10 (up to £100,000 for the more serious collectors), it provides a perfect environment in which to pick up some unusual Christmas gifts. Collectables on show at the event include antique and decorative furniture, treen, ceramics, kitchenalia, silver, glass, jewellery, works of art, arms and armour, maps, dolls and bears. Taking centre-stage at this latest fair is a dis- play of silverware from the Soldiers Of Gloucester Museum, including trophies, medals and flags from one of the British Army's most battle-honoured units, the Gloucestershire Regiment. The event also features more than two hun- dred-and-fifty stall holders. Antiques For Everyone favourites Judith Miller and Mark Victorian Christmas Evenings Hill will be on hand to offer hints and tips on what’s hot and what’s not. Black Country Living Museum, Dudley, Fri 19 - Tues 23 December Providing a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, these tradition- al festive evenings at Dudley’s award-winning living history museum promise plenty of Christmas cheer. Entertainment is provided courtesy of brass bands, street performers and carols singers - and there’s even a fairytale panto with a Black Country twist from the muse- um’s resident performers, Fizzog Productions. Mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, a food & craft market and the chance to visit Santa by the fireside provide even more reasons to experience this always-popular event.

Christmas At Sandwell Park Santa Safari Sandwell Park Farm, Hawkstone Park, Weston-under-Redcastle, Sat 13 - Sun 14 December Shropshire, Fri 5 - Sun 7 December; Fri 12 - Sun 14 December & Tues 16 - Tues 23 The big-bearded gent with a sackful of pres- December Clothes Show Live ents is just one of the attractions families can NEC, Birmingham, Fri 5 - Tues 9 December enjoy at Sandwell Park Farm this Christmas. The North Pole’s most famous resident St Nick is in residence throughout the month, comes to North Shropshire this month, with Featuring more than five hundred leading Hawkstone Park Follies once again trans- fashion and beauty brands, non-stop catwalk but is particularly keen for visitors to join him on the 13th and 14th for a special Christmas formed into a Santa Safari experience. A trip shows, makeovers, manicures, beauty through the site’s ‘mystical woodland’ leads demonstrations and style advice, it’s little Fayre, complete with carol singers, brass and jazz bands, and a choir. Free children’s activi- the way to a hillside grotto, where a Wishing wonder that Clothes Show Live is described Arch marks the entrance to a network of as ‘the hottest ticket on the fashion calen- ties also feature, while a craft fair provides a perfect opportunity to purchase presents fairy-lit caverns and tunnels. It’s here that dar’. The award-winning ALCATEL ONE- Santa, his elves and reindeer will reside in TOUCH Fashion Theatre is the place to see aplenty for family and friends. Festive food, including a hog roast, ensures a rumbling the run-up to Christmas. For visitors wishing hot new girl band Neon Jungle, British music to make more of their day at Hawkstone talent Jetta, onscreen favourite Rick stomach won’t distract from the feast of entertainment on offer. Park, refreshments, mince pies and a full fes- Edwards, fashion designer Henry Holland tive menu are on offer at the on-site hotel. and the cheekiest chap in Chelsea, Jamie Laing. Meanwhile, over at the Olympus PEN Designer Catwalk, British journalist Hilary Winter Skate Alexander OBE presents an exclusive trend Centenary Square, Birmingham, show featuring iconic designer Zandra until Sun 5 January Rhodes. Other features include: Model Returning to Centenary Square for a second Masterclasses - thirty-minute tutorials led by year, Winter Skate provides a perfect oppor- an industry expert; the Image Catwalk - tunity for wannabe Torvill and Deans to try showcasing influential and contemporary out their skating skills on an Olympic-sized collections from emerging talent and gradu- outdoor ice rink. Perfect for the lead-up to ate designers; and the THX Total Hair Christmas, it provides an ideal accompani- Experts Paparazzi Pen - where visitors can ment to Birmingham’s well-established have the ultimate celebrity selfie with their Oswestry Christmas Live Frankfurt Market. favourite TV & music stars, set against a Oswestry, North Shropshire, Fri 5 December branded Clothes Show Live wall. Widely regarded as one of north Shropshire’s largest festive celebrations, Oswestry Christmas Live features fairground rides, live music and roaming street enter- tainers. The return of a synthetic ice rink in Festival Square is certain to delight those in search of a bit of gentle exercise. Meanwhile, the indoor market not only offers the chance to shop for late-night bargains but also hous- es Santa’s Grotto. A massive firework display (from 9pm) brings this year’s event to a close.

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Mon 1 Dec - Wed 24 Dec, Trentham Events LISTINGS Gardens, Staffs CHRISTMAS POTTERY For full listing information on Events, PAINTING Mon 1 Dec - including times and dates, visit Wed 24 Dec, Gladstone Pottery Museum, www.whatsonlive.co.uk Stoke-on-Trent SANTA'S WINTER Shropshire WONDERLAND Explore WINTER SKATE Providing from Santa’s Christmas a perfect opportunity snow trail, take a walk for wannabe Torvill & MON 1 DEC through the enchanted Deans to try out their forest, enjoy a game of skills on an Olympic- FRANKFURT CHRISTMAS snowballs and hitch a size outdoor ice rink, MARKETS The largest ride on a sledge, Mon 1 until Sun 5 Jan, outdoor market in the - Wed 31 Dec, The Centenary Square, country, featuring a Snowdome, Tamworth Birmingham wide range of tradition- EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS THE RAGLEY SNOW BALL al handmade toys, art, AT WORCESTER CATHE- Mon 1 Dec, Ragley and items from DRAL Enjoy a family trail Hall, Warwickshire throughout the world, around the east end of THE BIRTHPLACE LIGHT Oswestry Christmas Live, North Shropshire until Mon 22 Dec, the Cathedral, Mon 1 SHOW Celebrate Birmingham City Centre Dec - Tues 6 Jan, Shropshire Wed 3 Dec, mac, Staffordshire Christmas with the WINTER WONDERLAND Worcester Cathedral DASH ART EXPRESS Birmingham CHRISTMAS TREE Birthplace lightshow Visit Santa in his log SCIENCE OF SOUND Mon WORKSHOP Tues 2 Dec, VOICES OF WAR FESTIVAL Wed 3 - Sun 7 and garden illumina- cabin, walk through Ice 1 Dec - Fri 5 June The Hive, Shrewsbury EXHIBITION GUIDED Dec, St Marys Church, tion, Mon 1 - Sun 14 Mountain, take a spin 2015, Symphony Hall, SONGS FOR THE CITY TOURS Wed 3 Dec, Stafford Dec, Shakespeare’s on the Winter Carousel Birmingham Tues 2 Dec, Lichfield Library Of Birmingham CHRISTMAS AT ARLEY Birthplace, Stratford- and , until LUNCHTIME TALK: THE Cathedral MAKE A CHRISTMAS ARBORETUM Wed 3 - upon-Avon Tues 23 Dec, FACTORY CHRISTMAS POP EUROPE! SYMPO- PLANTER Wed 3 Dec, Sun 7 Dec, Arley FESTIVE FEASTS Mon 1 - Wonderland, Telford, PARTY Illustrated talk SIUM Symposium Charlecote Park, Arboretum, Worcester Fri 19 Dec, St Mary’s Shropshire linked to the exhibition addressing the issues Warwickshire CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS A Guildhall, Coventry THE SHROPSHIRE SANTA When Santa Came To concerning the geo- FREE RADIO STAGE Enjoy rare opportunity to see FESTIVE OUTDOOR AND EXPERIENCE until Wed The Factory, Tues 2 graphical confinement festive music and enter- the house decorated CRAFTY FUN Mon 1 - 24 Dec, Park Hall Dec, Bantock House of Pop Art, Tues 2 Dec, tainment from Free for a Georgian Mon 22 Dec, Brandon Countryside Museum, Wolverhampton Art Radio, Wed 3 Dec, Christmas. Hear tales Marsh Nature Centre, Experience, Oswestry, Wolverhampton Gallery Civic Centre 4, of how the season was Coventry North Shropshire TILE DECORATING CHRISTMAS BY CANDLE- Coventry celebrated over two SANTA SAFARI Enjoy a CHRISTMAS AT RAYS WORKSHOPS Drop-in LIGHT Tues 2 Dec, The SANTA AND STEAM hundred years ago, four-mile drive-through FARM See baby Jesus sessions where partici- Fleece Inn, Worcester Celebrate the festive Thurs 4 Dec, Soho safari. See cheetahs, in the donkey’s stable pants use the tech- ART BUS! GALLERIES season with a nostalgic House, Birmingham lions and elephants - with Mary, Joseph, the nique known as tube NIGHT Birmingham's Art steam ride through GRUESOME AND GHOSTLY and meet Santa too! Three Kings and Wise lining to decorate their Bus is back on the road Staffordshire’s most TOURS Hear about the Mon 1 - Wed 24 Dec, Men, until Wed 24 Dec, very own tile to take this month, transporting idyllic valley, Wed 3 ghosts that haunt the West Midland Safari Rays Farm Country home, Tue 2 Dec, art lovers between the Dec, Churnet Valley streets and houses of Park, Bewdley Matters, Bridgnorth, Jackfield Tile Museum, city’s various galleries, Railway, Froghall, Lichfield, Thurs 4 Dec, TRENTHAM FAIRY TRAIL

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CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS LISTINGS NIGHT Sat 6 Dec, Events Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove For full listing information on Events, GALLERY TOUR An infor- including times and dates, visit mal tour of the gallery www.whatsonlive.co.uk to find out about the history of the building Lichfield City and boutique fashion and Wolverhampton’s CITY CENTRE SANTA RIDE and beauty brands. renowned collections, Charity bike ride Hair and beauty Sat 6 Dec, around the city centre. demonstrations, Wolverhampton Art All proceeds to the makeovers, experts, Gallery Heart of England trend reports, celebri- THE SINGULAR EXPLOITS Community ties and next genera- OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Foundation, Thurs 4 tion talent all feature, Sat 6 Dec, Wightwick Dec, Coventry City Fri 5 - Tue 9 Dec, NEC, Manor & Gardens, Centre Birmingham Wolverhampton ANTIQUES FOR EVERYONE CHRISTMAS TREE FESTI- CHRISTMAS EXTRAVA- Showcasing an eclectic VAL Fri 5 - Sat 20 Dec, GANZA Make, play and array of antiques and Lichfield Cathedral discover during a fes- collectables, ranging SANTA SAFARI Fri 5 - tive session inspired by from kitchenalia Tues 23 Dec, Christmas decorations, through to fine works of Hawkstone Park & Sat 6 Dec, Bilston Craft Acorns Santa Run, Walsall art worth in excess of Follies, Shropshire Gallery £20,000, Thurs 4 - Sun SANTA’S DIZZY DAY A CHRISTMAS AT WINTER- Costumed guides and CHRISTMAS FOOD AND VAL Sat 6 Dec - Mon 5 7 Dec, NEC, fun-packed experience BOURNE Featuring Christmas clues point CRAFT FAYRE Sat 6 - Jan, Worcester Birmingham for children which themed craft activities the way to Santa's Sun 7 Dec, Weston Cathedral CHRISTMAS WREATH includes meeting santa, and a magical workshop. This is a Park, Shifnal, A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS MAKING Led by an sing-a-longs, festive Christmas grotto, Sat 6 pre-book event, Sat 6 - Shropshire Sat 6 Dec - Tues 6 Jan, expert, learn about the shows and more, Fri 5 - Dec, Winterbourne Sun 7 Dec, Black HOLLY WREATH-MAKING Anne Hathaway’s different techniques Wed 24 Dec, Belgrade House and Garden, Country Living WORKSHOPS Sat 6 - Sun Cottage & Gardens, used to make a wreath Square, Coventry Birmingham Museum, Dudley 7 Dec, National Stratford-upon-Avon and then get creative, FARMER'S MARKET MUCH WENLOCK CHRIST- CHRISTMAS CRAFT AND Memorial Arboretum, CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR designing something Featuring stalls selling MAS FAYRE Sat 6 Dec, FOOD MARKET Sat 6 - Staffs Featuring unique arts special to take home local food, drink, craft The Square, Much Sun 7 Dec, Croome CHRISTMAS WASSAIL and crafts created by with you, Fri 5 Dec, and produce, including, Wenlock, South Park, Worcester Enjoy Christmas stories local designers, Sat 6 - Kenilworth Castle, sweets, apple juice, Shropshire SANTA AT THE SERVANTS' and carols from Tues 7 Dec, Hall’s Warwickshire bread, cakes, honey, TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS QUARTERS Explore the Birmingham Crescent Croft, Stratford-upon- SANTA SAFARI Fri 5 Dec, smoked meats, hand- See the Tudor manor festively decorated Theatre, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Avon Hawkstone Park & dyed yarns, beer, decorated for Victorian servants’ Dec, Coughton Court, ATTINGHAM AT CHRIST- Follies, Weston-under- plants and much more, Christmas, lit by atmos- quarters and meet Warwickshire MAS Discover the man- Redcastle, North Sat 6 Dec, The pheric candlelight and Santa in the butler’s CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR sion decorated for Shropshire Discovery Centre, brought to life by living pantry, where he’ll be Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Christmas in a bygone FESTIVE CHRISTMAS Shropshire history group Gloriana, handing out gifts to vis- Ruskin Glass Centre, age, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, CAROLS Fri 5 Dec, WINTER MARKET Sat 6 Sat 6 Dec, Selly Manor, iting children, Sat 6 - Stourbridge Attingham Park, Aston Hall, Birmingham Dec, The Bond, Birmingham Sun 7 Dec, CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS Shrewsbury MURDER MYSTERY DIN- Birmingham DRIVEZONE - CAR CLINIC Shugborough Historic CARD AND BAUBLE MAK- SANTA’S GROTTO Sat 6 - NERS Fri 5 Dec, HAND-CASTING AT THE A three-hour course in Working Estate, Staffs ING CRAFTS Sat 6 - Sun Sun 7 Dec, Gregynog Shugborough Working GLASS MUSEUM Sat 6 the basics of motoring, SANTA STEAM SPECIALS 7 Dec, National Hall, Newtown Estate, Staffs Dec, Broadfield House Sat 6 Dec, Heritage Visit Santa in his spe- Memorial Arboretum, CHRISTMAS DURING WWI VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Glass Museum, Dudley Motor Centre, cial grotto at Arley, Staffordshire Experience what life Evening of festive enter- A34 FESTIVE DOMINO Warwickshire where all fare-paying STORIES WITH SANTA Sat was like for a middle- tainment, Fri 5 Dec, MUSIC NIGHT An CHRISTMAS BALL Sat 6 children will receive a 6 - Sun 7 Dec, National class family between Bantock House evening of dominos, Dec, Warwick Castle present, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Memorial Arboretum, 1914 and 1918, Sat 6 - Museum, music & Caribbean cui- FESTIVE BUNTING WORK- Dec, Severn Valley Staffordshire Sun 7 Dec, Hall’s Croft, Wolverhampton sine to welcome the SHOP Sat 6 Dec, Railway, Kidderminster VICTORIAN CRAFT FAYRE Stratford-upon-Avon FRIDAY TWILIGHT - festive period, Sat 6 Herbert Art Gallery & CHRISTMAS CRAFT Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, St CHRISTMAS CRAFT CAROLS IN THE CAFE See Dec, The Drum, Museum, Coventry MARKET Featuring local Leonard’s Church, SHOPPING EXPERIENCE the World War One Birmingham MIRANDA DICKINSON designers selling an Bridgnorth, Shropshire Sun 7 Dec, exhibition by lamplight CHRISTMAS BOOK LAUNCH Sat 6 exclusive selection of CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Warwickshire Exhibition and enjoy traditional CELEBRATIONS Dec, Fargo Village, products, including Learn how to make tra- Centre carols in the cafe with Costumed guided Coventry ceramics, jewellery, ditional Christmas dec- DECK THE HALLS Sun 7 pianist Frank Leigh, Fri tours, carol singing by CHRSTIMAS WREATH paintings and craft orations and watch Dec, Moseley Old Hall, 5 Dec, The Potteries Enchant Choir and fes- WORKSHOP Sat 6 Dec, items, Sat 6 - Sun 7 demonstrations on how Wolverhampton Museum & Art Gallery, tive refreshments, Sat 6 Jinney Ring Craft Dec, mac, Birmingham to traditionally boil a SANTA DASH Sun 7 Dec, Stoke-on-Trent Dec, Museum of the Centre, Bromsgrove SANTA AND STEAM Christmas pudding, Sat Stafford Town Centre TUDOR BANQUETS Fri 5 - Jewellery Quarter, STUFF THE TURKEY Celebrate the festive 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Black FAMILY FUSED GLASS Sat 6 Dec, Tamworth Birmingham CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sat season with a nostalgic Country Living DECORATIONS Sun 7 Castle, Staffs WREATH MAKING WORK- 6 Dec, St Nicolas steam ride through Museum, Dudley Dec, Broadfield House CHRISTMAS AT HOME SHOP Sat 6 Dec, Church, Coventry Staffordshire’s most CHRISTMAS GROTTO No Glass Museum, Dudley WITH THE EDWARDIANS Moseley Old Hall, CHRISTMAS FOOD AND idyllic valley, Sat 6 - child's Christmas would THE MYTON HOSPICES Enjoy Christmas activi- Wolverhampton GIFT FAIR Sat 6 - Sun 7 Sun 7 Dec, Churnet be complete without a SANTA DASH Sun 7 Dec, ties and entertainment, CHRISTMAS Dec, National Memorial Valley Railway, trip to see Father War Memorial Park, Fri 5 - Sat 6 Dec, The CELEBRATIONS - CRAFT Arboretum, Staffs Froghall, Staffordshire Christmas, Sat 6 - Sun Coventry Locksmith’s House, ACTIVITY Make-and-take CHRISTMAS SHOPPING CHRISTMAS MARKET Sat 21 Dec, Birmingham CHRISTMAS AT THE CAS- Willenhall drop-in craft activity for FARGO STYLE Sat 6 - 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Upton Botanical Gardens TLE Sun 7 Dec, WINTER WONDERLAND children, Sat 6 Dec, Sun 7 Dec, Fargo House & Gardens, FATHER CHRISTMAS AT Worcestershire County PARTY NIGHT Enjoy Museum of the Village, Coventry Warwickshire CHARLECOTE Sat 6 - Sun Museum food, drink and enter- Jewellery Quarter, BREAKFAST WITH VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS 21 December, FLEA FAIR Sun 7 Dec, tainment by Mark Birmingham FATHER CHRISTMAS Sat Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Charlecote Park, Three Counties Tolliss Experience, Fri 5 CHRISTMAS FAYRE Sat 6 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Blists Hill, Ironbridge, Warwickshire Showground, Malvern - Sat 6 Dec, National Dec, Lower Precinct Wightwick Manor & Shropshire VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS COVENTRY BLAZE VS Motorcycle Museum, Shopping Centre, Gardens, SANTA AT ARLEY ARBORE- Sat 6 - Sun 21 Dec, NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS Solihull Coventry Wolverhampton TUM Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Upton House & Sun 7 Dec, Skydome WINTER WONDERFARM GREEN WREATH DBPC CHRISTMAS GALA Arley Arboretum, Gardens, Warwickshire Arena, Coventry See Lower Drayton WORKSHOPS Sat 6 Dec, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, Worcester VISIT FATHER CHRISTMAS Farm transformed into Weoley Castle, Dallas Burton Polo CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Sat 6 - Sun 21 Dec, Week Commencing a winter wonderland Birmingham Club, Coventry WEEKENDS The run-up Croome Park, MON 8 DEC and meet Santa for an FREE RADIO CHRISTMAS ATTINGHAM CHRISTMAS to Christmas sees Worcester early Christmas pres- STARS Sat 6 Dec, New Discover the mansion Bournville’s chocolate CHRISTMAS FAMILY POR- ent, Fri 5 - Sun 7 Dec, Art Gallery, Walsall decorated for paradise converted into TRAITS Draw your own Lower Drayton Farm, LINOCUT PRINTMAKING Christmas in a bygone a festive wonderland Holbein-style portrait, BAKE AND MAKE - THE Penkridge, Staffs WITH IAN PHILIPS Sat 6 age, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Dec, filled with seasonal Sat 6 - Sun 28 Dec, ART OF BREAD AND BUT- CLOTHES SHOW LIVE Dec, The Willow Attingham Park, Nr entertainment and Shakespeare’s TER Find out how peo- Five-day fashion festival Gallery, Oswestry, Shrewsbury activities, Sat 6 - Sun 7 Birthplace, Stratford- ple in the seventeenth packed with unique North Shropshire SANTA HUNTS A fun- Dec, Cadbury World, upon-Avon century ran their home, filled search for Santa. Birmingham CHRISTMAS TREE FESTI- bake a loaf of bread

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goings on, Sat 13 Dec, St Mary’s Guildhall, Events LISTINGS Coventry CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR For full listing information on Events, AT FUSION Sat 13 Dec, including times and dates, visit Fusion, Jackfield, Nr www.whatsonlive.co.uk Ironbridge, Shropshire LANTERN PARADE Sat 13 Dec, Lower Precinct and make butter, Mon 8 NERS Thurs 11 Dec, Shopping Centre, Dec, Moseley Old Hall, Shugborough Working Coventry Wolverhampton Estate, Staffordshire RETRO CHRISTMAS FAIR VINTAGE CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS WREATH Sat 13 Dec, Walsall PAPER CRAFTS Mon 8 MAKING Fri 12 Dec, Leather Museum Dec, Gregynog Hall, Witley Court & SANTA DASH Take part in Newtown Gardens, Worcester the festive fun and walk CHRISTMAS TOURS Take WORCESTER WOLVES VS or jog a one-mile route part in a festive tour, SHARKS Fri from Chase Leisure Mon 8 - Thurs 11 Dec, 12 Dec, Worcester Centre to the Bank Bar Blakesley Hall, University Arena & Lounge in aid of Birmingham FABRIC FAFFERS Fri 12 Newlife Foundation, Sat MOSELEY BY CANDLE- Dec, Broadfield House 13 Dec, Cannock Town LIGHT Mon 8 - Fri 12 Glass Museum, Centre Dec, Moseley Old Hall, Stourbridge Drayton’s Magical Christmas - Drayton Manor Park, Tamworth, Staffs CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Wolverhampton CHRISTMAS READINGS Fri Sat 13 Dec, Christ CHRISTMAS CAROL CON- 12 Dec, Nuneaton 14 Dec, Severn Valley CHRISTMAS WEEKEND SANTA TRAILS Sat 13 - Church, Oswestry, CERTS Mon 8 - Tues 16 Museum & Art Gallery, Railway, Kidderminster Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec, Sun 14 Dec, Tamworth North Shropshire SEARCH FOR SANTA Dec, Wightwick Manor Coventry Sat Bewdley Museum, Castle, Staffordshire OVERNIGHT GHOST HUNT & Gardens, BOWMAN ANTIQUES FAIR 13 - Sun 14 Dec, Worcester CHRISTMAS STORY- Sat 13 Dec, The Wolverhampton A quality three-day Avoncroft Museum, SANTA AND STEAM TELLING Sat 13 - Sun 21 Falstaff’s Experience, TILE DECORATING giant antique fair. Up to Bromsgrove Celebrate the festive Dec, Croome Park, Stratford-upon-Avon SANTA AT THE CONE WORKSHOPS Drop-in four hundred stands, season with a nostalgic Worcester BUSH CRAFT - SPOON sessions where partici- including antiques, Visits to Santa include a steam ride through 17TH CENTURY CHRIST- CARVING Learn the pants use the tech- curios, vintage, retro gift, photo, craft activity Staffordshire’s most MAS Sat 13 - Sun 21 process and tech- nique known as tube and collectables. Free and much more, Sat 13 idyllic valley, Sat 13 - Dec, Moseley Old Hall, niques of working with lining to decorate their Parking, Fri 12 - Sun 14 - Sun 14 Dec, Red Sun 14 Dec, Churnet Wolverhampton green wood and knives very own tile to take Dec, Bingley Hall, House Glass Cone, Valley Railway, Froghall, FATHER CHRISTMAS to create your own home, Tue 9 Dec, Stafford Stourbridge Staffordshire GROTTO Sat 13 - Sun 21 spoon, Sat 13 Dec, Jackfield Tile Museum, WINTER WONDERFARM CHRISTMAS CRAFT CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Dec, Wightwick Manor Bishops Wood Centre, MARKET Shropshire See Lower Drayton Featuring local WEEKENDS The run-up & Gardens, Stourport CHRISTMAS FLOWER Farm transformed into designers selling an to Christmas sees Wolverhampton CHRISTMAS DECORATION ARRANGING Tues 9 Dec, a winter wonderland exclusive selection of Bournville’s chocolate MERRY 'FISHMAS' Visit WORKSHOP Decorate Gregynog Hall, and meet Santa for an products, including paradise converted into the National Sealife and take away your Newtown early Christmas pres- ceramics, jewellery, a festive wonderland Centre to meet the man own Christmas proman- CHRISTMAS BY CANDLE- ent, Fri 12 - Sun 14 paintings & craft items, filled with seasonal who makes Christmas der, Sat 13 Dec, LIGHT Tues 9 Dec, The Dec, Lower Drayton Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec, entertainment and happen, Sat 13 - Tues Shakespeare’s Fleece Inn, Evesham Farm, Penkridge, Staffs mac, Birmingham activities, Sat 13 - Sun 23 Dec, The National Birthplace, Stratford- DRIFT WHAT YA BRUNG 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS TRUCE WALK 14 Dec, Cadbury Sea Life Centre, upon-Avon Chance to practise drift- & NEW YEAR FROLICS Fri Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec, World, Birmingham Birmingham CAROLS AT SOHO In part- ing in safe and legal 12 Dec - Mon 5 Jan, National Memorial MERLIN'S MAGIC WAND ATTINGHAM AT CHRIST- nership with St conditions on some of Heritage Motor Centre, Arboretum, Staffs WINTER PARTY Festive MAS Discover the man- Michael’s Church, Sat VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS the Pod's thirty acres of Warwickshire painting, clay model- sion decorated for 13 Dec, Soho House, open tarmac, where VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec, making and festive craft Christmas in a bygone Birmingham there are beginners, Sat 13 Dec, Blakesley Blists Hill, Ironbridge, activities, Sat 13 - Sun age, Sat 13 - Tues 23 FAMILY CHRISTMAS intermediate and Hall, Birmingham Shropshire 14 Dec, The National Dec, Attingham Park, CAROL CONCERT Sat 13 advanced tracks open GLAM XMAS PARTY CHRISTMAS AT THE CAS- Sea Life Centre, Shrewsbury Dec, Croome Park, TLE at the same time each 1970s-themed Sat 13 - Sun 14 Birmingham DRIVEZONE - EXPERIENCE Worcester DWYB day, Wed 10 Christmas party to coin- Dec, Worcestershire CHRISTMAS GIFT-MAKING A three- hour package SANTA’S GROTTO Sat 13 Dec, Santa Pod cide with the When County Museum WORKSHOPS Sat 13 - that includes classroom Dec, Gregynog Hall, CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Raceway, Northampton Santa Came To The Sun 14 Dec, Jackfield training and tuition Newtown, Powys CHRISTMAS COOKERY Factory exhibition, Sat Learn how to make tra- Tile Museum, behind the wheel, Sun FESTIVE FARMERS Wed 10 Dec, Gregynog 13 Dec, Bantock House ditional Christmas dec- Ironbridge, Shropshire 14 Dec, Heritage Motor MARKET Sat 13 Dec, Hall, Newtown Museum, orations and watch COVENTRY BLAZE VS Centre, Warwickshire Stafford Town Centre WREATH-MAKING WORK- Wolverhampton demonstrations on how SHEFFIELD STEELERS WINTER WONDERLAND SANTA HUNTS A fun-filled SHOP Wed 10 Dec, WORCESTER WARRIORS V to traditionally boil a Sun 14 Dec, Skydome PARTY NIGHT Enjoy search for Santa. Moseley Old Hall, NOTTINGHAM Sat 13 Christmas pudding, Sat Arena, Coventry food, drink and enter- Costumed guides and Wolverhampton Dec, Sixways Stadium, 13 - Sun 14 Dec, Black CHRISTMAS AT THE tainment by Mark Christmas clues point SANTA AND STEAM Worcester Country Living CASTLE Enjoy crafts, Tolliss Experience, Sun the way to Santa's Celebrate the festive MURDER-MYSTERY DIN- Museum, Dudley storytelling and more, 14 Dec, National workshop. This is a pre- SANTA AT ARLEY ARBORE- season with a nostalgic NERS Sat 13 Dec, Sat 13 - Sun 14 Dec, Motorcycle Museum, book event, Sat 13 - TUM steam ride through Shugborough Working Sat 13 - Sun 14 Kenilworth Castle, Solihull Sun 14 Dec, Black Staffordshire’s most Estate, Staffs Dec, Arley Arboretum, Warwickshire CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Country Living idyllic valley, Wed 10 CHRISTMAS Worcester CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS Sun 14 Dec, Black Museum, Dudley Dec, Churnet Valley CELEBRATIONS Featuring CHRISTMAS AT THE CAS- Railway, Froghall, live music, mulled fruit TLE Crafts, storytelling Staffordshire punch and lots of fes- and a chance to see a FARGO CHRISTMAS MAR- tive goodies, Sat 13 very special guest in KET Wed 10 Dec, Fargo Dec, Chedham's Yard, his grotto, Sat 13 - Sun Village, Coventry Warwickshire 14 Dec, Kenilworth CHRISTMAS AT ARLEY DRIVEZONE - TASTER Castle, Warwickshire ARBORETUM Wed 10 - One-hour session SANTA AT THE SERVANTS' Sun 14 Dec, Arley aimed at young people QUARTERS Explore the Arboretum, Worcester who’ve not yet started festively decorated CHRISTMAS MARKET formal driving lessons, Victorian servants’ Wed 10 - Wed 24 Dec, Sat 13 Dec, Heritage quarters and meet Civic Centre 4, Motor Centre, Santa in the butler’s Coventry Warwickshire pantry, where he’ll be CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS A A CHRISTMAS WISH Meet handing out gifts to vis- rare opportunity to see Santa, listen to story- iting children, Sat 13 - the house decorated for telling and join in with a Sun 14 Dec, a Georgian Christmas. variety of craft activities, Shugborough Historic Hear tales of how the Sat 13 Dec, The Working Estate, Staffs season was celebrated Potteries Museum & Art SANTA STEAM SPECIALS over two hundred years Gallery, Stoke-on-Trent Visit Santa in his spe- ago, Thurs 11 Dec, PARANORMAL INVESTIGA- cial grotto at Arley, Soho House, TION Join the Simply where all fare-paying Birmingham Paranormal team as children will receive a MURDER MYSTERY DIN- they explore ghostly present, Sat 13 - Sun

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Shugborough Working tasty treats and special- Estate, Staffs ist goods at a special Events LISTINGS MEET SPONGEBOB festive edition of mac's SQUAREPANTS Sat 20 monthly food market, For full listing information on Events, Dec, City Arcade, featuring a host of local including times and dates, visit Coventry artisan producers, Sun www.whatsonlive.co.uk A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS 21 Dec, mac, Sat 20 Dec, Elgar Birmingham Country Living pants the chance to Birthplace Museum, CHRISTMAS RAMBLE Museum, Dudley eat, drink and dance Worcester Enjoy a walk around CHRISTMAS CAROLS ON the night away inside CAROLS AT WARWICK Sat the Capability Brown THE FARM Sun 14 Dec, The Studio, The Rep’s 20 Dec, Warwick Castle Parkland and learn how Fordhall Community newest theatre space, SANTA STEAM SPECIALS the landscape has Farm, Market Drayton, Thurs 18 - Sat 20 Dec, Visit Santa in his spe- evolved over centuries, Shropshire The REP, Birmingham cial grotto at Arley, Sun 21 Dec, Weston THE MYTON HOSPICES HISTORY TALKS: BLACK where all fare-paying Park, Staffordshire WARWICK SANTA DASH COUNTRY ECHOES Paul children will receive a COVENTRY BLAZE VS FIFE Sun 14 Dec, The Myton Quigley, curator of present, Sat 20 - Sun FLYERS Sun 21 Dec, Hospice, Coventry Black Country Echoes, 21 Dec, Severn Valley Skydome Arena, OSWESTRY CHRISTMAS discusses the project Railway, Kidderminster Coventry MARKET Sun 14 Dec, and some of the fasci- CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME CAROLS AND SUNDAY Bailey Street, Oswestry, nating stories he and Learn how to make tra- LUNCH Sun 21 Dec, North Shropshire the team unearthed ditional Christmas dec- Weston Park, POTTER’S WHEEL WORK- while researching the orations and watch Staffordshire SHOP Sun 14 Dec, region’s industrial her- demonstrations on how WASPS VS LONDON IRISH Eastnor Pottery and itage, Fri 19 Dec, to traditionally boil a Sun 21 Dec, Ricoh The Flying Potter, Wolverhampton Art Christmas pudding, Sat Arena, Coventry Herefordshire Gallery 20 - Sun 21 Dec, Black A MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS ART SPEAKING Audio- Country Living WITH WAYTES & MEAS- Museum, Dudley URES Sun 21 Dec, The SOWeek SUNDAY, Commencing SO SANTA described tours of exhi- Sun 14 Dec, The Fleece bitions for people with SANTA AT THE CONE Fleece Inn, Worcester Inn,MON Evesham 15 DEC visual impairment, Fri Visits to Santa include a CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY 19 Dec, Wolverhampton gift, photo, craft activity FAMILY ACTIVITIES A vari- Art Gallery and much more, Sat 20 ety of family-friendly SEASONAL CRAFT FOR WORCESTER WOLVES VS - Tue 23 Dec, Red trails, crafts and out- ADULTS Mon 15 Dec, LONDON LIONS Fri 19 House Glass Cone, door activities, Sun 21 - Solihull Arts Complex Dec, University of Stourbridge Wed 31 Dec, National TWILIGHT SANTA Pop Worcester Arena SANTA HUNTS A fun-filled Memorial Arboretum, along after school, OVERNIGHT GHOST HUNT search for Santa. Staffs Costumed guides and meet Santa in the man- Fri 19 - Sat 20 Dec, The Santa Safaris - The Follies, Hawkstone sion and receive a spe- Falstaff’s Experience, Christmas clues point Week Commencing the way to Santa's Park, Weston-under-Redcastle, North cial gift, Mon 15 - Fri 19 Stratford-upon-Avon MON 22 DEC Shropshire Dec, Attingham Park, WINTER WONDERFARM workshop. This is a pre- Shrewsbury See Lower Drayton book event, Sat 20 - Wed 24 Dec, TILE DECORATING TILE DECORATING Farm transformed into a Wed 24 Dec, Black Shakespeare’s WORKSHOPS Drop-in WORKSHOP Drop-in ses- winter wonderland and Country Living WREATH MAKING WORK- Birthplace, Stratford- sessions where partici- sions where partici- meet Santa for an early Museum, Dudley SHOP Mon 22 Dec, upon-Avon pants use the technique pants use the technique Christmas present, Fri CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Moseley Old Hall, BLESSING OF THE CRIB known as tube lining to known as tube lining to 19 - Sun 21 Dec, Lower WEEKENDS The run-up Wolverhampton Wed 24 Dec, Worcester decorate their very own decorate their very own Drayton Farm, to Christmas sees A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS Cathedral tile to take home, Tue tile to take home, Tue Penkridge, Staffs Bournville’s chocolate WITH SWAN & DYER’S CHRISTMAS DAY 30 Dec, Jackfield Tile 16 Dec, Jackfield Tile VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS paradise converted into WINTER WARMER A fes- EUCHARIST Thurs 25 Museum, Ironbridge, Museum, Ironbridge, EVENINGS Featuring a festive wonderland tive celebration of Dec, Worcester Shropshire Shropshire market stalls, carol filled with seasonal Christmas carols and Cathedral NEW YEAR’S EVE GHOST CHRISTMAS BY CANDLE- singing and both street entertainment and activ- music hall, Mon 22 CHRISTMAS DAY EVEN- TOUR Includes a glass LIGHT Tues 16 Dec, The and musical entertain- ities, Sat 20 - Sun 21 Dec, The Fleece Inn, SONG WITH CAROLS of buck’s fizz, Wed 31 Fleece Inn, Evesham ment. Local theatre Dec, Cadbury World, Evesham Thurs 25 Dec, Dec, The Falstaff’s MURDER MYSTERY DIN- group Fizzgog Birmingham FESTIVE DROP-IN CRAFT Worcester Cathedral Experience, Stratford- NERS Tues 16 Dec, Productions present SANTA AT ARLEY ARBORE- Mon 22 Dec, Artrix, COVENTRY BLAZE VS upon-Avon Shugborough Working their fairytale panto, Fri TUM Sat 20 - Sun 21 Bromsgrove CARDIFF DEVILS Fri 26 NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA Estate, Staffordshire 19 - Tue 23 Dec, Black Dec, Arley Arboretum, CATHEDRAL CAROL SERV- Dec, Skydome Arena, Enjoy a five-course CHRISTMAS AT ARLEY Country Living Worcester ICES Mon 22 - Tues 23 Coventry meal and disco, Wed ARBORETUM Wed 17 - Museum, Dudley CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS Dec, Worcester WINTER FAMILY OUTDOOR 31 Dec, Hawkstone Sun 21 Dec, Arley DICKENSIAN CAROL SANTA TRAILS Sat 20 - Cathedral TRAIL Fri 26 Dec - Mon Park & Follies, Weston- Arboretum, Worcester SINGERS & CHRISTMAS Sun 21 Dec, Tamworth TILE DECORATING 5 Jan, Croome Park, under-Redcastle, North CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS A STREET THEATRE Sat 20 Castle, Staffs WORKSHOPS Drop-in Worcester Shropshire rare opportunity to see Dec, Stafford Town SHREWSBURY WALKING sessions where partici- TOY COLLECTORS FAIR NEW YEAR’S EVE HOUSE the house decorated for Centre TOURS - A CHRISTMAS pants use the technique Described as 'Britain's PARTY Wed 31 Dec, a Georgian Christmas. CANDLELIT CAROL CAROL Sat 20 - Sun 21 known as tube lining to biggest' event of its Weston Park, Hear tales of how the SERVICE Sat 20 Dec, Dec, Shrewsbury Town decorate their very own kind and featuring thou- Staffordshire season was celebrated National Memorial Centre tile to take home, Tue sands of collectables NEW YEAR’S EVE 1940S over two hundred years Arboretum, Staffs SANTA AT THE SERVANTS' 23 Dec, Jackfield Tile for sale from the UK's PARTY Includes a wel- ago, Thurs 18 Dec, AN AFTERNOON WITH QUARTERS Explore the Museum, Shropshire leading specialist deal- come drink and a four- Soho House, CLARE BALDING Sat 20 festively decorated GREAT HALL MEDIAEVAL ers, Sat 27 Dec, NEC, course meal, Wed 31 Birmingham Dec, Cineworld, Victorian servants’ quar- BANQUET Tues 23 Dec, Birmingham Dec, Jinney Ring Craft MURDER-MYSTERY DIN- Shrewsbury ters and meet Santa in Warwick Castle CHRISTMAS IN THE HOME Centre, Bromsgrove NERS Thurs 18 Dec, ANNUAL SANTA RUN & the butler’s pantry, CHRISTMAS BY CANDLE- Learn how to make tra- NEW YEAR EVE CEILIDH Shugborough Working ICE RINK Sat 20 Dec, where he’ll be handing LIGHT Tues 23 Dec, The ditional Christmas dec- Family event featuring Estate, Stafordshire Haughton St Giles out gifts to visiting chil- Fleece Inn, Evesham orations and watch music entertainment as THREE MEN IN A BOWTIE Primary School, Staffs dren, Sat 20 - Mon 22 CHRISTMAS QUEST Tues demonstrations on how well as a hot supper Music and comedy CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT Dec, Shugborough 23 - Wed 24 Dec, to traditionally boil a and bonfire. Fancy capers... Thurs 18 Dec, Sat 20 Dec, Avoncroft Historic Working Estate, Moseley Old Hall, Christmas pudding, Sat dress theme is Sci-Fi, Ashton Theatre, Museum, Bromsgrove Staffs Wolverhampton 27 - Sun 28 Dec, Black Wed 31 Dec, The Shrewsbury School FUSED GLASS CHRIST- SANTA AND STEAM SANTA STEAM SPECIALS Country Living Fleece Inn, Evesham EARLY YEARS PLAY DAYS MAS DECORATION WORK- Celebrate the festive Visit Santa in his spe- Museum, Dudley GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Children aged 1-3 have SHOP Sat 20 Dec, season with a nostalgic cial grotto at Arley, FLEECE FESTIVE FILMS NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY an opportunity to Ruskin Glass Centre, steam ride through where all fare-paying Sun 28 Dec, The Fleece Featuring a glass of fizz explore through senso- Stourbridge Staffordshire’s most children will receive a Inn, Evesham on arrival, live music ry play that encourages WINTER WONDERLAND idyllic valley, Sat 20 - present, Wed 24 Dec, EVENSONG WITH CAROLS and hot food, Wed 31 creativity, Thurs 18 - Fri PARTY NIGHT Enjoy Wed 24 Dec, Churnet Severn Valley Railway, Sun 28 Dec, Great Dec, The Swan Theatre, 19 Dec, Hebert food, drink and enter- Valley Railway, Froghall, Kidderminster Witley Parish Church, Worcester Museum & Art Gallery, tainment by Mark Tolliss Staffordshire CHRISTMAS EVE GHOST Worcester NEW YEAR’S EVE CELE- Coventry Experience, Sat 20 Dec, CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TOUR Including mince CHILDREN’S SCHOOL HOL- BRATIONS Featuring a THE MAD HATTER'S National Motorcycle TRAIL Sat 20 Dec - Sun pies and mulled wine, IDAY POTTERY SESSIONS buffet and live entertain- CHRISTMAS PARTY A the- Museum, Solihull 4 Jan, Attingham Park, Wed 24 Dec, The Mon 29 Dec, Eastnor ment from Sole Trader, atrical Christmas party MURDER MYSTERY DIN- Shrewsbury Falstaff’s Experience, Pottery and The Flying Wed 31 Dec, Wharton which offers partici- NERS Sat 20 Dec, MAC FOOD MARKET Stratford-upon-Avon Potter, Eastnor Castle, Park, Bewdley Indulge yourself with TUDOR CHRISTMAS TALKS Herefordshire 64 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Eating Out December Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 17:49 Page 1 Eating Out Shropshire food centre a winner... The Ludlow Food Centre in South Shropshire has fended off stiff competition from hundreds of entrants to win the title of the Midlands’ Best Deli. Following an arduous judging process, the centre was declared ‘the ultimate food destination in the Midlands’ at the recent BBC Good Food Show. Barney Desmazery, BBC Good Food’s Food Editor, said of the win: “Once again during the search for the Midlands’ best deli or farm shop we’ve uncovered some incredible food shops. From traditional high street delis to a chicken shed-turned-farm shop, customers have nominat- ed their favourite local food destinations across the Midlands. I’m really impressed with the win- ner, the Ludlow Food Centre, and am sure food lovers from across the region will agree that they’re worthy winners of the title.”

Hav’an’a Cuban feast in Shrewsbury too - with not a standard very fashionable at the REVIEW risotto or goat’s cheese moment. Think piled-up tart in sight! Vegetarian wooden crates, bare Last night was the second paellas, jerk-spiced floors, stripped-back brick time I’ve been to Havana salmon and Cuban chick walls, upcycled furniture Republic since its opening pea curry are all there for made from oil drums, in September - both times the taking. lighting fixtures made from Just Good Food at The REP... under different circum- My one criticism would be helicopter parts, angle Highly rated local outfit Just Good Food has stances. The first occasion that the dessert menu is lamps and wooden pan- been chosen by The REP as its caterer for private was a boozy Saturday the same as the Peach elling with pops of colour. parties and events. The Birmingham-based cater- night birthday celebration Tree’s. That said, the Top it off with warm mood ing company will provide a wide range of food with my friends; the sec- Peach Tree’s is delicious, lighting and live Cuban options - from canapes to three-course meals - ond, a child-free date with so that’s no bad thing. Try music and you’ve got for a variety of events at the Centenary Square my husband. I loved it the their famous brulee that yourself an upbeat atmos- theatre venue, including VIP launch events, open- first time, primarily for the comes in three eggshells phere that makes you feel ing nights, corporate atmosphere and the fun. in a nest! like you’re enjoying a breakfasts, lunches and Now I love it even more, The cocktail menu is a Caribbean getaway. private parties. The com- thanks to the food... fantastic read. With every Havana Republic is very pany will this month be Brought to you by the type of rum, mojito and much to my taste. Its creating a special menu team who created the daiquiri you could wish for, social, Cuban, food & fam- for The REP’s Alice In award-winning Peach Tree the flavour combinations ily-loving vibe makes it my Wonderland-themed Mad Restaurant and swanky and ingredients used are new ‘favourite hangout’ in Hatter’s Christmas Parties. ramen bar Momo·No·Ki, inspired. If you’re a fan of Shrewsbury. My next table Havana Republic offers a ginger, elderflower, fresh has already been top-notch night out to suit mint and long, refreshing booked... roll on next every mood. Its Cuban- drinks, you could easily month! Gentleman & Scholar opens influenced, no-fuss menu spend a whole night work- Jessica Aston at The Hyatt allows you to dip in and ing your way through the try a bit of everything, menu. If you’re not sure Food: n n n n n share with friends, and eat Birmingham’s Hyatt hotel has unveiled its brand what to go for, the staff are Service: n n n n n new look following a multi-million pound refur- either a little or a lot. more than happy to rec- Ambience: n n n n n bishment. An integral part of the revamp is the Executive Head Chef Chris ommend. Chris, our wait- Overall value n n n n n creation of a new bistro pub. The Gentleman & Burt has created a finger- er, was very knowledge- OVERALL n n n n n Scholar opens onto Broad Street and features a lickin’, tapas-style menu able and chatty - the serv- heated terrace and extensive menu. Open to incorporating wings, ribs, ice was excellent. Havana Republic Bar both guests and non-guests, the eatery mixes steaks, burgers, Cuban Moving on to the decor, & Restaurant modern European cuisine with great British clas- jerk spices, smoky dips, the vibe is all about the 18 Abbey Foregate sics. Dishes include a trio of Shropshire lamb, sauces, paellas, chorizo raw, industrial look that’s Shrewsbury chargrilled cutlets, lamb shoulder boulangere and salsas. not only typical of a SY2 6AE and sauted sweet breads, all sourced from local If meat isn’t your thing, Cuban-style bar but is also 01743 281744 producers. there are veggie options

www.whatsonlive.co.uk 65 Eating Out December Region Two.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 17:49 Page 2

756052 7DG 01746 710 553 Powys LD7 1BL 01547 Staffordshire Restaurant LISTINGS CAFE CHAMPAGNE 253- 520530 255 Bilston Road, Shropshire LA BÉCASSE 17 Corve St, NO 5 Gaol Mews, Stafford Wolverhampton WV2 Ludlow, SY8 1DA 01584 ST16 3AN 01785 22 9900 For full listing information on restau- 2JN 01902 458024 872 325 AFTAB 25 High St, 95 HIGH GREEN Cannock. rants, including opening times and CASA CASITA Upper Ironbridge TF8 7AD LA DOLCE VITA 35 Hills WS11 1BH 01543 type of cuisine, visit: www.whatson- Gornal, Dudley. DY3 01952 432055 Lane, Shrewsbury SY1 573905 1UP 01902 676754 1QU 01743 249126 live.co.uk ALBRIGHT HUSSEY 1709 THE BASSERIE 3-5 CATELLANI’S 6 School St, Ellesmere Rd, LA LANTERNA The Old Lombard St, Lichfield. Wolverhampton, WV1 Shrewsbury, SY4 3AF Vestry, St Julian's WS13 6DP 01543 LOVES The Glasshouse, 4LR 01902 428928 Browning St, B16 8FL 01939 290 523 Church, Shrewsbury 257986 Birmingham 0121 454 5151 CINNAMON COURT Bentley BISTRO JACQUES 77/77a SY1 1UH 01743 233552 BELLA ITALIA 20 Greengate Mill Way, Walsall WS2 LION & PHEASANT 50 AALTO RESTAURANT Hotel MECHU 47 - 59 Summer Mardol, Shrewsbury SY1 St, Stafford, ST16 2HS 0BP 0121 568 6664 1PZ 01743 272586 Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury 01785 211968 La Tour, Albert Street, Row, B3 1JJ 0121 212 SY1 1XJ 01743 770345 1661 THE COWSHED Clive BUFFALO STEAK HOUSE CHANDLERS Corn Birmingham B5 5JT Farm Clive Rd, THE LION QUAYS Moreton, 0121 718 8000 METRO BAR & GRILL 73 125 Frankwell, Exchange, Conduit St, Pattingham, WV6 7EN Shrewsbury SY3 8JX Oswestry SY11 3EN Lichfield, WS13 6JU AIR RESTAURANT LG Cornwall St B3 2DF 01902 701888 01691 684300 0121 200 1911 01743 537523 01543 416688 Arena, Bickenhill Rd, THE CROOKED HOUSE BUTLERS Park St, Shifnal, LOCH FYNE Talbot House, THE CORNER HOUSE 0844 338 0333 MOUNT FUJI The Bullring, Coppice Hill, Himley DY3 TF11 9BA 01952 Market Street, Second Avenue,Burton- BANK 4 Brindleyplace, B5 4BH 0121 633 9853 4DA 01384 238583 460662 Shrewsbury SY1 1LG On-Trent DE14 2WF B1 2JB 0121 633 4466 OPUS 54 Cornwall St, THE DITCH 1 Town Hill, 01743 277140 CASA NARANJO Barracks 01283 542321 BAR ESTILO 10-114 B3 2DE 0121 200 2323 Walsall, WS1 2EU Passage, Wyle Cop, LUDLOW KITCHEN CURRY KUTEER 31 Wharfside St, The THE ORIENTAL The 01922 643215 Shrewsbury SY1 01743 Bromfield, Ludlow, SY2 Greengate Street, Stafford Mailbox, B1 1RF 0121 Mailbox, 128-130 DON SALVO 25 Darlington 2JR 01584 856020 643 3443 Wharfside St, B1 1RQ 588165 ST16 2HY Street, Wolverhampton THE MALTHOUSE The 01785 253279 BARAJEE 265 Broad 0121 633 9988 CASA RUIZ 45 High WV1 4HW 01902 712819 Wharfage, Ironbridge Street, B1 2DS 0121 643 PEACHYKEENS 1741 Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 ESSENCE OF THE ORIENT DUNSLEY HALL Dunsley TF8 7NH 01902 433712 6699 Coventry Road, B26 4DX 01746 218 084 27 Broad Eye, Stafford Rd, Kinver, DY7 6LU MORGANS 1 Bellstone, ST16 2QB 01785 BELLA ITALIA 102 New 1DS 0121 764 5519 01384 877077 CHEZ MAW Best Western Valley Hotel, Buildwas Shrewsbury SY1 1HU 229988 Street, B2 4HQ 0121 PENNY BLACKS FARADAYS The 643 1548 The Mailbox, 132-134 Rd, Ironbridge, TF8 7DW 01743 231199 FOUR SEASONS Swinfen Waterfront, Brierley Hill, MR UNDERHILLS Dinham Hall Lichfield, WS14 BLUE MANGO Regency Wharfside St, B1 1XL 01952 432247 Dudley, DY5 1UR Weir, Ludlow Shropshire 9RE 01543 481494 Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS 0121 632 1460 01384 482 882 THE COTTAGE Tern Hill, 0121 633 4422 PICCOLINO Market Drayton TF9 3PX SY8 1EH 01584 874431 THE GREEN ROOM Castle FIVE RIVERS Vicarage Dyke, Lichfield WS13 BLUE PIANO RESTAURANT 9 Brindleyplace B1 2HS 01630 638984 THE MYTTON & MERMAID Place, Walsall WS1 3NA Atcham, Shrewsbury, 6HR 01543 412121 AND BAR 24-26 Harborne 0121 634 3055 01922 646164 CROMWELLS 11 Dogpole, Rd, B15 3AA 0121 454 PITCHER & PIANO Shrewsbury SY1 1EN SY5 6QG 01743 761220 INDIAN VILLAGE FOUR STONES Adam’s 8 Lombard St, Lichfield. 6877 Brindleyplace, B1 2HP 01743 361440 THE OLD ORLETON INN Hill,Clint, Stourbridge, WS13 6DR 01543 0121 643 0214 DA VINCI’S 26 High St, Holyhead Rd, Wellington, BUONISSIMO 1 Albany DY9 9PS 01562 883260 253415 Rd, Harborne, B17 9JX POPPY RED Arcadian Ironbridge, TF8 7AD TF1 2HA 01952 255011 FRANZLS 151 Milcote Rd, INDICA Virage Park, 0121 426 2444 Centre, Birmingham B5 Smethwick, B67 5BN 01952 432250 THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL 4TD 0121 687 1200 & RESTAURANT Lowe Hill Cannock. WS11 0HN CAFE OPUS 1 Oozells 0121 429 7920 DORRINGTON OLD HALL 08712 070417 Square, Brindleyplace, PURNELL’S 55 Cornwall PERSIAN CUISINE Main Road, Wem, Shropshire FRENCH CONNECTION LA DOLCE VITA 19 Stafford B1 2HS 0121 248 3226 St, B3 2DH 0121 212 3 Coventry St, Road, Dorrington, SY4 5UA 01939 233233 9799 Shropshire SY5 7JD St, Stone ST15 8QW CARLUCCIO’S The Water’s Stourbridge DY8 1EP THE PEACH TREE 21 Abbey 01785 817 985 Edge, Brindleyplace PURNELL’SBISTOR & GIN- 01384 390940 01743 719100 Foregate, THE LODGE 24 B1 2HP 0121 633 9262 GER’S BAR 11 Newhall DRAPERS 10 St Mary’s St Shrewsbury, SY2 6AE FRENCH HEN Bromsgrove Birmingham Road, Street, B3 3NY, 0121 Shrewsbury, SY1 1DZ 01743 355055 CENTENARY BAR & Rd, Clent, Stourbridge Shenstone. WS14 0LQ 2000 1588 01743 344679 BRASSERIE Broad Street, DY9 9PY 01562 883040 THE PLUME OF FEATHERS 01543 483334 RED PEPPERS 117 THE FEATHERS Brockton, B1 2EP 0121 245 2080 GOLDEN MOMENTS 2-3 Harley, Shrewsbury SY5 MALABAR 1-2 Water Wharfside St, B1 1RF Much Wenlock TF13 CHUNG YING Ablewell St, Walsall WS1 6LP 01743 727360 Street, Stafford, ST16 0121 643 4202 2EQ 01922 640363 6JR 01746 785202 16-18 Wrottersley Street, PORTER HOUSE 15 St 2AG 01785 227 500/600 SAN CARLO THE HUNGRY BISTRO FENNELS B5 4RT 0121 622 5669 4 Temple St, 81 8 Market Place, Mary’s St, Shrewsbury, MARLOES 13 London CHUNG YING GARDEN 17 B2 5BN 0121 633 0251 Lichfield Street, Shifnall TF11 9AZ SY1 1EQ 01743 358870 Road, Newcastle under Thorpe St, B5 4AT SHIMLA PINKS 215 Broad Wolverhampton, WV1 01952 463020 THE POUND AT LEEBOT- Lyme, ST4 1LQ 01782 0121 666 6622 St, B15 1AY 0121 633 1EQ 01902 546336 THE FOX INN 46 High St, WOOD Leebotwood, Nr 661983 LE BRASSERIE 5 Lower CIELO 6 Oozells Square, 0366 Much Wenlock TF13 Church Stretton SY6 6ND THE MILL 1 Mill St, Stone, Mill Street, Brindleyplace, B1 2JB SIMPSONS, 20 Highfield 6AD 01952 727292 01694 751477 ST15 8BA 01785 0121 632 6882 Rd, Edgbaston B13 3DU Kidderminster. DY11 FRANK CAFE BAR 129 6UU 01562 744976 RENAISSANCE, 29a 818456 COAST TO COAST 9 0121 454 3434 Frankwell, Shrewsbury MADE IN THAI Darlington Princess St, Shrewsbury, THE NAVIGATION INN Brindleyplace, Broad THE SLUG AND LETTUCE, SY3 8JX 01743 354422 SY11LW 01743 354289 Newport Road, Gnosall, Brindley Place, St, Wolverhampton WV1 Street, B1 2HJ 4HW 01902 312512 THE GOLDEN CROSS 14 ROMOLO Victoria Avenue, Stafford ST20 0BN Birmingham B1 2HL Princess St, Shrewsbury, COTE The Mailbox, PARADISE BALTI shrewsbury SY1 1HH 01785 822327 0121 633 3049 7 Lower SY1 1LP 01743 362507 B1 1RX 0121 631 1587 Mill Street, Kidderminster 01743 233244 OLD VICARAGE 2 Main St, STRADA 109-111 CUCINA RUSTICA 24 DY11 6UU 01562 60479 GRANARY BAR & GRILL SARACENS Shrewsbury Branston, Burton, DE14 Wharfside St, The Ludgate Hill, B3 1DX Weston Park, Weston- Rd, SY4 4AG 01939 3EX 01283 533222 Mailbox B1 1XL THE PIE FACTORY 50 Hurst 0121 233 2277 Lane, Tipton DY4 9AB under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, 210877 PASCAL AT THE OLD VIC- 0121 643 7279 DEL VILLAGGIO 0121 557 1402 TF11 8LE 01952 ARAGE 2 Main Street, THAI EDGE SEBASTIANS 45 Willow St, Unit 528, Middle Mall, 7 Oozells Sq, RED FORT Fold St, 852107 Branston, Burton-upon- B1 2HL 0121 643 3993 Oswestry SY11 1AQ The Bullring. B5 4BE Wolverhampton, WV1 THE GLUTTON CLUB 165- 01691 655444 Tren 01283 533222 0121 643 1400 WAGAMAMA Brindley 167 Frankwell, 4LP 01902 424440 SHALIMAR 23 Abbey PASTICHE BISTRO 1 - 2 Mill EDMUNDS 6 Brindley Place, birmingham B1 RISTORANTE ROMAGNA 4 Shrewsbury SY3 8LG Street, Stafford, ST16 01743 361672 Foregate, Shrewsbury place, B1 2JB 0121 633 Upper Green, Tettenhall, SY2 6AE 01743 366658 2AJ 01782 263 737 4944 Wolverhampton WV6 HADLEY PARK HOUSE THE PEAR TREE Black Country SHERAZ 79 Wyle Cop, Swinfen, FLEET STREET KITCHEN 8QQ 01902 756052 Hadley Park, Telford TF1 Nr. Lichfield, WS14 9QR Shrewsbury SY1 1UT Fleet Street, Islington SAFFRON Wolverhampton 6QJ 01952 677269 01543 481807 ARBOUR LIGHTS 127-128 01743 242321 Gates, B3 1JH 0121 236 Road, Oldbury B69 4RR THE HAYWARDS at The PORTOFINO 38-40 Marsh Lichfield Street, Walsall THE SILVERTON the Old 0100 WS1 1SY 01922 613361 0121 552 1752 Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, St Stoke-On-Trent, ST1 Dairy, 9-10 Frankwell, ITIHAAS 18 Fleet St, B3 BANKS BISTRO Chapel SIMON’S 520 Chester Rd, Shrewsbury SY1 1UY 1JD 01782 209444 1JL 0121 212 3383 Aldridge, Walsall, WS9 01743 353107 Shrewsbury SY3 8JY Ash, Wolverhampton 01743 248000 THE RED ROOM 7 JAMIE’S ITALIAN Middle WV1 4EP 01902 238433 0PU 0121 580 9293 HENRY TUDOR HOUSE Newcastle Road, TIN TINS Wellington Road, Mall, Bullring Shopping BELLA 82 Chapel Ash, SPICES Hollywell Rd, Barracks Passage Congleton CW12 4HN Telford TF2 8AJ Centre, B5 4BE Wolverhampton. 01902 Wednesbury. WS10 7PA Shrewsbury SY1 1XA 01260 297871 01952 608688 0121 270 3610 427555 0121 502 0720 01743 361666 THORNBURY HALL, RASOI JIMMY SPICES Regency BENGAL FUSION 174 High THE SPRINGHILL HILL VALLEY HOTEL THE WALLS Welsh Walls, Lockwood Rd, Kingsley Wharf, Broad St, B1 2DS St, Lye, Stourbridge DY9 Warstones Rd, Penn, Tarporley Road, Oswestry SY11 1AW Holt, Stafford ST10 2DH 0121 643 2111 8LN. 01384 891111 Wolverhampton WV4 Whitchurch SY13 4HA 01691 670970 01538 750831 4LB 01902 342530 LAS IGUANAS Arcadian BILASH 2 Cheapside, 0844 879 9049 ZIZZI RISORANTE 39-40 WOLSELEY ARMS THE SUMMERHOUSE 92 Centre, Hurst St, B5 4TD Wolverhampton, WV1 THE INN AT GRINSHILL High Street, Shrewsbury Wolseley Bridge, Stafford Gospel End Rd, Dudley 0121 622 4466 1TU 01902 427762 The High Street, SY1 1SF 01743 353232 ST17 0XS DY3 4AN 01902 676 Grinshill, Shrewsbury, 01889 883179 LASAN 3-4 Dakota THE BLUE BRICK 102 Buildings, James St, St Broad Gauge Way, SY4 3BL 01939 220410 Paul’s Square, B3 1SD THORNESCROFT KING & THAI Avenue Rd, Wolverhampton WV1 Bridgnorth Rd, 0121 212 3664 1AA 01902 875301 Broseley, Telford TF12 Wolverhampton, WV6 5DL 01952 882004 THE LOFT LOUNGE BRAVACCIOUS 4 Upper 7EQ 01902 700 253 For full Restaurant listings 143 Bromsgrove St, THE KNIGHTON HOTEL Green, Wolverhampton THE WOODMAN B5 6RG 0121 622 2444 Claverley, Broad Street, Knighton, visit: www.whatsonlive.co.uk WV6 8QQ 01902 Wolverhampton WV5

66 www.whatsonlive.co.uk Havana Republic (FP-Dec).qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 19:02 Page 1 grand_whatson FP Dec.qxp_Layout 1 24/11/2014 16:54 Page 1 Great Theatre at the Grand!

SAT 6 DEC - SUN 18 JAN MON 12 JAN TUES 20 JAN

WED 21 JAN FRI 23 JAN SAT 24 JAN

HERMAN’S HERMITS THE SWINGING BLUE JEANS DAVE BERRY THE UNION GAP THE IVY LEAGUE ALAN MOSCA FROM FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS

TUES 27 - SAT 31 JAN MON 2 - SAT 7 FEB SUN 8 - MON 9 FEB

Raymond Gubbay presents Russia’s acclaimed ballet company returns for the UK Tour 2014/15 SWAN LAKE THE NUTCRACKER Performed by The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia

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Box Office 01902 42 92 12 BOOK ONLINE AT www.grandtheatre.co.uk